TSTS hit the Maine coast on Wednesday August 19th, in picturesque Belfast at a music and arts venue called Roots and Tendrils:

Local band Tree by Leaf began the night by rocking the house with a rousing set of previously released songs and new compositions from their upcoming album. Absolutely check out this Christian-based band led by singer-songwriter and lyricist extraordinaire Garrett Soucy. The band features beautiful and haunting vocals by Garrett's wife Siiri, and powerful and eclectic accompaniment by Cliff Young on keyboards and Eric Sanders on drums.

TREE BY LEAF

Mike and I then presented a 50-minute TSTS set to an enthusiastic response, followed by excellent and engaging conversation.

Thanks again to Garrett for inviting us to perform, Meg and Bub of Roots and Tendrils for hosting the show, Read Schuchardt for setting the wheels in motion, and the good people of Belfast for coming out on a sweltering night for some R&R societal critique. We're hoping to hook up with Tree by Leaf, Meg, and Bub again on our next trip to Maine, possibly next June in conjunction with the 11th annual Media Ecology Association convention in Orono, if not sooner.

On Wednesday August 19th we'll be playing in Belfast Maine at a music and arts venue called Roots and Tendrils:

We'll be sharing the night with popular local band Tree by Leaf, led by singer-songwriter Garrett Soucy and featuring Garrett's wife Siiri on vocals, Cliff Young on keyboards, and Eric Sanders on drums.

Thanks to Garrett for inviting us to perform, Meg and Bub for hosting the show, and Read Schuchardt for turning Garrett onto our project.

If you're going to write only one email in your life, you may as well make it good.

Neil Postman made the most of his one foray into cyberspace, a witty and brilliant send-up of online communication. If only he had lived to see texting and Twitter... But I suspect his message would be the same.

Neil co-founded the Media Ecology program at NYU. In 1997, he posted to the department's listserve the following tongue-in-cheek smackdown, channeling the ghost of his mentor and fellow media theorist Marshall McLuhan:

This is the Ghost of Marshall McLuhan speaking to you. I don't have to tell you from what world I come. I am using Chris Nystrom's facility in order to reach you. I will say what I have to say only once. You will not hear from me again unless you persist in your foolishness.

Does the word "books" mean anything to you? Do you have so much time on your hands that you can afford to waste yourselves on this infernal machine? Have you already accumulated so much wisdom that you no longer need to read the best that has been thought and written? Is this the way you honor the work and life of my great friend and disciple, Neil Postman? Do any of you actually know how to spell?

I have now read all of your idiotic messages. Hear, now, The Law:

EVERY MEDIUM TAKEN TO ITS FURTHEST EXTENT FLIPS TO ITS OPPOSITE
Thus the written word, which is the source of all the intellect we have, when used in this unholy fashion becomes a medium for the expression of all our stupidities. This, you have demonstrated amply. Enough, I say.

I must now return from whence I came. Remember what happened to the Hebrews when they did not follow the Law.

Ghost