Coverage of traditional viral outbreaks certainly has its share of irrational fear-mongering for ratings – think about recent years’ SARS and avian flu coverage. At the same time, I feel like the media also spent quite a lot of time explaining ways to reduce exposure and prevent outbreaks from spreading. This despite the remote chances of exposure to most people.

Typical TV coverage of a violent crime shows a map of the incident (message: be afraid of that part of town) and maybe a sketch, mugshot, or security camera footage (message: be afraid of people who look like that). This limited coverage only amplifies the effects of the crime since virtually no one in the broadcast audience is at real risk of being the next victim. A very small minority of crime victims are strangers who are at the wrong place at the wrong time. Most crimes instead are responses to personal gripes. I’m not sure what kind of information might be more effective in avoiding fear and helping the public assist in containing an outbreak of violence. The Chicago program discussed in the Times article primarily uses specialists to intervene with persons directly associated with criminal incidents, but surely the media has a role in helping communities fight outbreaks of violence.

I didn’t think the city was powered by magic fairy dust, but did think there would be more dirty coal and at least a little more than 1% renewable energy. ComEd is owned by Exelon, the same not-so-great company that owns Philadelphia’s PECO. In Pennsylvania they offered me an opt-in wind energy program that has seen lots of people electing to pay higher rates for renewable electricity. There seems to be no comparable program here (I think the program was mandated by the state of Pennsylvania). It’s true that anyone can go out and buy green energy credits on their own, but having the option appear on your monthly electric bill surely raises awareness and participation quite a bit. Still, green energy shouldn’t be a luxury item — it should be a mandated part of the mix for the entire system, as it is in some progressive states.

*Technically, the server that hosts this blog is in Arizona. I don’t have the breakdown for that state.

Voters in Minneapolis have the opportunity to avoid that problem – at least in future municipal elections. A charter amendment that would allow Instant Runoff Voting is on the ballot. The supporters created this animated explanation:

The move would create more competitive races between Greens and Democrats in a city where Greens have already made major inroads. Emopage endorses a Yes vote. Hopefully that isn’t what takes them over the top.

And of course, I’m a little bit disappointed that I won’t be able to vote against Rick Santorum back in Pennsylvania. I trust everyone back there will be able to do the job – even if Casey isn’t exactly a progressive candidate.

• This American Life
• Jazz in Chicago Podcast
• Harry Shearer’s Le Show
• From NPR: Driveway Moments, Shuffle, Pop Culture, Talk of the Nation Opinion, Science Friday
• BBC NewsPod – best of BBC news
• Economist – more world news from the UK. Ryan recently was raving about the print version – which caused me to add this to my rotation.
• Filmspotting – based in Chicago, this podcast discusses film and often has running themes discussed over several weeks (recently: Herzog, Animation, Documentary)
• …and some random podcasts that are published sporadically like Barack Obama’s podcast, and POV’s documentary previews

And I play ear candy when I’m writing or doing work that requires a little more attention from the left side of the brain. Actually, when I’m writing I usually turn things way down or off.

• In Over Your Head – I actually listen to this more for Julien Smith’s rants from Montreal, but the indie hip-hip tracks he plays are also amazing
• Local Support – Philadelphia bands
• CBC Radio 3 – Canadian Indie music
• KEXP Music that matters – long eclectic chuncks of time spent with Seattle indie DJs
• NPR All Songs Considered – a nice mix of new music and discussion of it
• …and a handful of random ‘song of the day’ or ‘song of the week’ type podcasts I’ve run across here and there, making for a nice mix of new music

I really love being able to listen to what I want, when I want and being able to skip ahead, pause, and rewind whenever I feel the need. Sometimes I miss the immediacy of live radio and the surprises that come with it, but since moving to Chicago I haven’t adjusted well to the daytime schedule offered by Chicago Public Radio – though overall I prefer their offerings over Philly’s WHYY.

So, what are you listening to?

Find Philadelphia Polling places

Unfortunately many of the leading landmarks are pro sports stadiums instead of streets. In Philadelphia we may soon be able to build hotels on The Liberty Bell (how does that work?). On the ballot for Minneapolis’ greatest landmark (sorry St. Paul), Hasbro posted a picture of the somewhat less-historic 3rd Avenue/Central Ave. Bridge instead of the Stone Arch Bridge. Surely this confusion is responsible for Mall of America earning 72% of the vote so far. I demand a new election!

You can attempt to sway the vote by visiting the nifty flash-based ballot every 24 hours through May 12.

P.S. Summit Avenue is in St. Paul and the Mall of America is in Bloomington. Is there no residency requirement here?

P.P.S. How can a bridge that lies well below the modern street level be “the pinnacle of the Minneapolis skyline?”

Update (5/9/06): After sending a comment to Hasbro’s customer service team, I was told their marketing team would be alerted. Lo and behold, a fuzzy picture of the right bridge was added. Still – if the Mall of America wins, I think we should take this to the Supreme Court.