Reprint of a 1977 article by Robert Anton Wilson, in light of his death and the release of the (pretty awful) film The Number 23. (Fortean Times)

“As privacy experts, we are frequently asked about “opting out,” and which opt outs we think are the most important. This list is a distillation of ideas for opting out that the World Privacy Forum has developed over the years from responding to those questions. The list below does not contain all opt outs that are available. Rather, it contains the opt outs that we believe are the most important and will be the most useful to the most consumers:

• 1. National Do Not Call Registry
• 2. Prescreened offers of credit and insurance
• 3. DMA opt outs
• 4. Financial institution opt outs
• 5. CAN SPAM
• 6. Credit freeze
• 7. FERPA
• 8. Data broker opt outs
• 9. Internet portal opt outs
• 10. NAI opt out”

“On November 16-18, 2007 UMass Amherst will host Unbroken Chain, the largest conference on the legacy of the Grateful Dead, and the first to be held by a major university. Scholars, artists, performers, students and members of the extended Grateful Dead family will gather for the event featuring more than 50 presenters for 20 panel sessions ranging from music composition and improvisation to an examination of the band’s business model – as well as a musical performances, gallery exhibits, and presentations.”

Related:

UMass course on the history of the Grateful Dead, taught by Robert Weir (no, not that one). (Boston Globe [thanks, Janet])

Top 25 according to the membership of the International Documentary Association. I love the documentary form factor and have seen more than my share of these, especially those of the Maysles brothers, Errol Morris, and Wiseman.