Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Like real friendship, only more convenient

Peter Hirshberg: Young People, Overwhelmed by Friends, Turns to "Friendinis". Launching later this year, Friendini.com promises its users a patented commitment-free, friendship-light form of relationship.

Man overcome by schwag

I was at Macworld for a few minutes yesterday when I spotted my old friend Tom Rielly at a booth, talking with some people and handing out literature for TED, where Tom's performances are a legendary fixture. Tom didn't see me coming because he was busy talking to the guy next to him, while also collecting gear from some people at the booth, at one point saying "You could come on my show." (Which is Tech Toy Tuesday on Sirius OutQ (channel 149). From behind him I said "Hey, I'd like to be on your show too." Tom spun around, said "Oh, Doc! Hey, I want you to meet..." and he gestured toward the guy he'd been talking to. I said "Holy shit" or something, and shook his hand. Then Tom introduced me as "One of the top five bloggers in the world." I said "No, more like Number 23, adding "but most of the other 22 are duplicates." Robin said something funny I wish I could remember. Then somebody from the booth handed him a giant bag of goodies. I said "Let me take your picture. I'll call it (the headline above)."

And we all moved on.