The Conference Call - A Blog from Sync Weekly

The Dopeness that Is Louis CK

Published on: August 2, 2011

Categories: Current Events, Pop Culture, Movies, Music, etc., Rants, Uncategorized

Comments: No Comments

When you have lived a significant number of years on this Earth, you come to a few conclusions:

People complain about being delayed on a runway for 30 minutes before eventually taking place in the miracle of flying. A cell phone call takes longer than a millisecond, and we become frustrated. This is despite the fact that the call is going to a tower miles away or to a satellite in outer space. You just have to give it a second. At that point, you realize that everything is amazing, and nobody is happy.

Kids, albeit cute and innocent, get on your nerves. And sometimes, you may cuss them out in your head for saying, “Eww,” when you are trying to give them bubblegum-flavored medicine… the same bubblegum flavored medicine that 70% of kids across the world would shoot or machete you for. As a white child, you just can’t say, “Eww,” to bubblegum flavored medicine. This is especially true for little, white girls who live in America. Most of their clothes are made professionally by kids their own age. That’s not to say white people can’t complain, but black people get to complain more. Contrary to claims in the comment sections of Fox News & CNN articles, slavery did not end 400 years ago. And even when slavery ended, everything wasn’t just amazing immediately after the fact. Black people with gray hair may remember times when they could only use certain toilets and water fountains.

When you take all of that into consideration, white people have it made. Now, I’m not saying white people are better. But being white, well, clearly is better! White people can travel back to any time in history and have it made. Black people wouldn’t be able to travel past the year 1980.

You also come to the conclusion that deer aren’t cute. They’re annoying. You realize the difference between girls and women. And it dawns on you that Cinnabons aren’t the healthiest things to eat.

These are a few reasons why Louis CK is one of the funniest comedians out there.

It’s Real Out Here in These Streets

by kwilliams

Published on: July 26, 2011

Categories: Pop Culture, Movies, Music, etc., Uncategorized

Tags: hood, parking lot, prius, whole foods

Comments: No Comments

In case you didn’t know, it’s real out here in these streets. At any time, it could pop off in the Whole Foods parking lot. What you know about riding around with trash bags in the Prius, just in case you have to dump a body off… or recycle? Pusha man soliciting drugs? Wrong… wrong! How about a man with a push-pen & a clipboard, soliciting signatures for petitions?

Either they don’t know, don’t show, or don’t care about what’s going on in the ‘burbs.

Debt Ceiling Cliffnotes

by kwilliams

Published on: July 11, 2011

Categories: Current Events, economy, Ethics, Politics, Uncategorized

Tags: bush tax cuts, debt ceiling, deficit, democrats, republicans, Spending, taxes

Comments: 2 Comments

If you’re confused about all of the talk in the news about debt ceilings, taxes, government shutdowns, and what not, no need to worry about what it all means. Here at The Conference Call, we’ll explain it simple and plain:

1) In 2001 we decided to cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

2) September 11th happened. Then we decided to go to war. Wars costs lots of money.

3) Two wars and a financial bailout later, it’s time to pay the piper. The thing is, we’ve reached the limit on what we can borrow. No more can be borrowed unless we raise the “debt ceiling,” or limit on what we can borrow. It’s similar to you calling your credit card company and asking them to raise the limit on your Visa card.

4) Our government runs on a budget. In order to pay for things, we need money. If the “credit limit” isn’t increased, then we can’t pay for things, much less make payments on what we already owe. So we have to borrow more money, bring more money in, and stop spending on certain things.

5) Traditionally, Democrats believe in using revenue from taxes to pay for things. Traditionally, Republicans believe in lower taxes, in hopes that those who hold most of the wealth will use the tax savings to do things like create jobs, invest, etc. With more jobs, then you have more people paying taxes. With more investing, you can tax money made from investments rather than incomes. Hopefully, that would offset money not coming in from income taxes.

6) We can’t really agree on which approach is best, so we argue, give long speeches, debate, and accuse each other on TV. Oh, and some of the people in charge who hold elected positions are afraid of not being re-elected. Therefore, they hold on to traditional beliefs regardless of how it will affect the country.

There you have it! Now that you know, what do you think the best approach is?

The New Internet

by kwilliams

Published on: June 23, 2011

Categories: Current Events, Ethics, Science, Uncategorized

Tags: .com, .edu, .gov, .org, domain names, icann, internet

Comments: No Comments

On Monday of this week, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN… Which is not to be confused with any new Apple products) voted to allow new domain names for websites on the Internet. What does this mean? Beginning in 2012, people, companies, and organizations will be able to register almost any word, in any language, as their domain ending. Instead of “.gov,” for Arkansas, you could possibly see, “.Arkansas.” Instead of “.edu,” for UCA, you could see, “.UglyPurpleField.”

Too soon?

A move like this seems innovative, but in a climate where hackers can shut down the CIA and take away our beloved video games for almost two months, it’s pretty scary if the right rules & precautions aren’t in place. Here at The Conference Call, we’re opposed to this decision… for now. Why?

1. Phishing & Spam Attacks - We already get enough spam and junk mail, with links to fake sites posing as legitimate ones. How will one be able to tell the difference between a real and fake domain in a world where you can register a domain using any word in any language?

2. Costs – You want a domain today? All you have to do is pony up 11 bucks to GoDaddy.com, and you have a website. To register a domain for, “.SyncWeekly?” That will be $100… plus another $184,900. And that’s just to file the application with ICANN. That’s pretty pricey. Sure, Steve Jobs can afford it. The State of California? No… well, not unless they hit up Lindsey Lohan for a few more fines.

3. Confusion – Suppose you’re shopping for pants. You go to Google. You do your search, and up comes Dockers.pants. What if you don’t like Dockers? What if you’re more a Haggar or Ralph Lauren type of guy? These are questions that have to be asked.

4. Cybersquatting – Still on the pants topic… Suppose I win the Arkansas Lottery and decide I want to spend $185,000 on a domain of, “.pants.” And let’s say I just decide to this for no reason. I own, “.pants.” I’m not giving it up. All the pants in the world are mine. You want pants? Start over! Or… you can buy the domain from me for $2 million. Not bad on a small $185,000 investment.

5. Indexing – You own the new domain, and now you want to make sure your site is searchable and easy to find. How would you make your website more searchable in search engines such as Google?

These are just a few reasons why ICANN’s new decision seems innovative but, in this case, may cause more harm and confusion than good.

What are your thoughts on new internet domain names?

Tackling the Jobs Issue…

by kwilliams

Published on: June 21, 2011

Categories: business, Current Events, economy, Politics, Rants, Uncategorized

Tags: college, computer literacy, economy, innovation, jobs, soft skills

Comments: 1 Comment

The economy is, and has been, the most important issue in America for the past 3 years. In 2008, jobs were being cut left and right. No one seemed to be hiring. Things looked dire. In 2011, one could argue that companies are hiring. Yet, unemployment numbers haven’t improved as they should. Some employers argue that taxes, revenues, and losses are contributing to lack of vacancies. Contrarily, some employers argue that there are indeed openings. The problem is that there aren’t enough skilled applicants out there to fill vacancies.

Somebody is lying.

Considering the latter, how do we approach this problem? Americans are more educated than ever before. In 2002, it was reported that 80% of Americans are graduates of high school or higher, compared to 75% in 1990 (http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2002-06-05-education-census.htm). Here’s a newsflash: It’s 2011, and more folks are getting degrees. Colleges are reporting more incoming freshmen than ever. Tuition costs are skyrocketing. Getting a degree is sexy now.

So where are the jobs? The cost of living isn’t going down anytime soon… or ever. What’s the solution?

There is saying about Harvard: Colleges train students to look for jobs. Harvard trains students to create jobs. Personally, I believe there are two solutions to the problem: Jobs training and Innovation.

Considering innovation, we need more entrepreneurs. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, the heads of some of America’s biggest, most successful companies are college dropouts. Does this mean we need more college dropouts? Certainly not. But if there are more people in college than ever before, being groomed to look for jobs, then that means there are less people looking to create jobs.

Considering jobs training, colleges need to look at preparing students to enter successful careers in the workforce. This means equipping students with skills that hiring managers are looking for in potential employees. Here’s a hint: Knowing how to use Microsoft Word is not a skill that sets you apart from other applicants. For most hiring managers, it’s an assumed skill.

What skills, then, would be considered crucial for someone to land at least an entry level job in today’s market? Here are a couple:

Computer Literacy – We’re in the technology age. Most employers are no longer even taking paper job applications or resumes anymore. Everything is moving online. If you have trouble creating a Google account, then you might have trouble filling out a job application online nowadays. Computer literacy, at the least today, involves fundamental competencies in using a computer for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and navigating websites.

Soft Skills – Employers are looking for people who work well on their own as well as in groups. Can you give a presentation to a small group if need be? Do you have good verbal and written communication skills? Do you have a positive attitude? Employers aren’t just looking for good workers, but also good people.

What other skills would you say are crucial to the workforce? Though needs vary from job to job, what are some skills that are mandatory, yet transferable, across the board?

Also, check out the video below for more discussion on the issue:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Does Facebook = Autotune? Maybe…

by kwilliams

Published on: June 20, 2011

Categories: Ethics, Pop Culture, Movies, Music, etc., Science, Uncategorized

Tags: autotune, facebook, social media, social networking, sync weekly, twitter

Comments: No Comments

“Thinking that Facebook is forever is like thinking that AOL was the be-all-end-all of the Internet. Eventually, everyone will use something else.” – Entrepreneur Max Salzberg (via Cnn.com)

Myspace… Friendster… College Club… Blackplanet…

These are just a few of used-to-be-popular social networking sites that have gone by the waste side. If history tells us anything, it’s that Death has a Google account. It looks like Facebook is next on his list.

But why do social media sites become less popular over time? Are they “played out?” Are they any less innovative? Do they fail to change with the times? Twitter allowed us the ability to microblog and send updates in 140 characters or less. Facebook then introduced the “Status Update.” When you actually look at both sites, Facebook actually has way more features.

The real question is perhaps this: Is it simply that we eventually become bored with what social media sites have to offer?

Looking at this question, it would appear that in today’s society we are slowly, but subtly being conditioned to upgrade. A new iPhone comes out every 1-2 years. Windows XP is the equivalent of Windows 95. Pentium III processors, ten years ago, could get you by just fine. Today, they could barely let you use Photoshop, watch a movie, and pay a bill online. Do you still go to Yahoo to search for something? How long do you think it will be before Xbox 2 or PS4 are on the shelves?

Perhaps that’s what is going on with Facebook. Despite privacy concerns, Facebook has as many features and users as ever. But maybe we don’t care about new features. Maybe my Gmail suits me just fine, and I don’t care for Facebook email. Maybe I’m tired of being tagged in photos for Jordans, Jordan heels, and fake red-bottoms. Maybe relationship statuses only matter to 19 year olds and not 29 year olds. Maybe I can control all of these things, but I’m just tired of the service that allows me to control all of these things. Maybe, just maybe, I want something new presented in a newer format… even if that something new is something that I already have.

And all of that could mean, just maybe, that I have conformed… Jumping through hoops not to be part of the status quo, so that I can be part of the newest-latest.

Maybe, just maybe, we should choose what works best for us, and stick with that.

Awkward Office Moments

by kwilliams

Published on: June 16, 2011

Categories: Ethics, Pop Culture, Movies, Music, etc., Rants, Relationships, Uncategorized

Tags: awkward, email, sync weekly, the office

Comments: No Comments

Ahh, the awkward office moment… It’s the point of habitual line steppage, if only for a moment, between colleagues, superiors, and/or subordinates. It’s the point where you’re walking on eggshells, only to realize that you’re barefoot and eggshells can cut up your feet. Laughs quickly morph into embarrassing silence. Eye contact is avoided. Emails go unreplied to. Today, we break down a few awkward office moments:

Multiple Greetings

There’s always that one co-worker who you really don’t talk to, but happen to politely speak to on the regular. They could work in your office, or they could work in your building. You get up to use the restroom, pass by this colleague, smile, say, “Hi,” and keep it moving. Upon leaving the restroom, it’s like they were timing you… Waiting for the exact moment you walk out, only to cross paths with you again. What’s the protocol? Do you speak again? Do you say, “Hi,” again as if it never happened? Do you pretend to check your phone in order to avoid the awkward eye contact that will inevitably ensue? Do you stare them down to see who will crack first? Awkward!

Just Got the Internet

There is always someone in the office whose only experience with computers, or anything electronic, occurs between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. This is the person who still sends those emails about how Microsoft will pay you for every person you forward said email to. It is also the same person who will “Reply All” to the same types of emails. The internet hoax is red flavor, and they drink the koolaid. They love the koolaid. They bathe in it. It’s refreshing. Will God still bless me if I don’t forward your message to 100 other people? Are pictures of 400lbs fat ladies, wearing spandex in Wal-Mart really work safe? You never provided your bank info, but has that Microsoft money hit your account yet?

Computer Illiterates

Similar to those above, these folks are the ones who will be the first to go when Skynet becomes self-aware. They’re frustrated because Microsoft Word won’t open, and decide to call you to help them. Despite the fact that you have a whopping Bachelor’s degree in History, they deem you the computer guru of the office since you have experience sending emails with attachments. Situations like these go something like this:

Idiot: Sorry to bother you, but this computer is acting up!

You: What’s the problem?

Idiot: I’m trying to open Microsoft Word, but it won’t open. Ahh, this is so frustrating!

You: Let’s see….. There you go! Opened right up!

Idiot: What did you do?

You: I think you have to double-click the icon.

Idiot: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

*Facepalm

This Conversation Is Over

You’re in the break room. Your co-worker walks in. You engage in small talk. This person decides they want to have an in-depth conversation, simultaneously, about world hunger, Extreme Couponing, their vacation to Liberty Land, and how their kid did the cutest thing last night. You spend the next 10 minutes, smiling, nodding, and looking engaged. All the while, you’re plotting your exit. Do you make up an excuse to go to leave? Do you just walk off while they’re in mid-sentence? Wait for another co-worker to walk in and bail you out? Awkward!

What about you? What are some other awkward office situations you have experienced? Leave a comment, and chime in.

‘Home Alone’ House for Sale

by kwilliams

Published on: May 6, 2011

Categories: Current Events, Uncategorized

Tags: home along, homes, macaulay culkin, movies, real estate

Comments: No Comments

The house that was the primary setting for one of my all-time favorite childhood movies, Home Alone, is up for sale:

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/06/home-alone-house-for-sale-for-2-4-million/?hpt=T2

“Not many people would want to buy a house with a history of being burglarized, but when it’s the “Home Alone” house, that’s another story.

The red-brick Winnetka, Ill., colonial Georgian featured in the blockbuster 1990 Macaulay Culkin movie has just been put on the market and can be had for a cool $2.4 million, reports Chicago’s WGN.

Though Culkin isn’t included in the asking price, it will get you a 4,250-square-foot residence with 14 rooms, four bedrooms, 3.2 baths, a screened-in porch, a chandelier, and a staircase suitable for sledding.”

I can see how they’re asking $2.4 million for the 4,250 square-foot property. I just wouldn’t know what to do with 3.2 bathrooms. Maybe the 0.2, or 2/10 bath, is where you go to just wash your hands? Or maybe you just use the restroom and don’t flush? #KanyeShrug

Why Bin Laden’s Death Should Be Celebrated

by kwilliams

Published on: May 4, 2011

Categories: Current Events, Ethics, Politics, Uncategorized

Tags: america, cia, conference call, death, navy seals, Obama, osama bin laden, sync weekly, white house

Comments: 1 Comment

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

When news spread Sunday night about Bin Laden’s death, video started circulating which showed Americans celebrating his death. In D.C., Americans gathered in front of the White House. In New York, Americans took to the streets in jubilee. Survivors and families of 9/11 victims cried. Chants were shouted in patriotic unison. The national anthem was sung. But more than pride, there was an overwhelming sense of relief.

This is the reason why Bin Laden’s death should be celebrated. It’s a relief. There are those who feel uneasy about the excessive celebrating. There are those who may feel the celebrating was hypocritical for those who consider themselves Christian or religious in any way. The fact of the matter is that Bin Laden declared war on the United States of America. He declared war on western civilization. He declared war on any sympathizers of America, including other coutries that were predominantly Muslim. He took credit for the U.S. Embassy bombings of 1998. He took credit for the 9/11 attacks. He killed thousands of people, including many Muslims. He was a murderer.

The death of Bin Laden is bigger than Bin Laden himself. The death of Bin Laden is not the death of terrorism itself. The death of Bin Laden in itself is the death of an ideal. It is the death of a symbol. In a sense, it was closure. And the act of celebrating is a projected demonstration of the sense of closure that Americans have been seeking for ten years.

Sometimes, when you read a book, you may re-read it many times over. Sometimes you get stuck on a particular chapter. You may find yourself losing sleep, eyes heavy, from searching for meaning. Sometimes you just want to finish the chapter so that you can rest… knowing that you’ll pick the book back up the next day to start a new chapter and search for new meanings.

We know this isn’t the end of the book, but it is the end of a chapter. We can rest… for now.

Is God Killing People?

by kwilliams

Published on: March 14, 2011

Categories: Current Events, Ethics, Science, Uncategorized

Tags: conference call, earthquake, God, Haiti, japan, judgment, pat robertson, sync weekly, tsunami

Comments: No Comments

In the aftermath of the recent events in Japan, a lot of people are trying to make sense of it all. Historically, people have referred to bad weather and catastrophes in nature as, “Acts of God.” But are they? Were the earthquakes in Haiti, and the most recent one in Japan, a sign of God judging the Earth? Some popular evangelicals, such as Pat Robertson, have declared that natural disasters like these are a sign of God’s judgment on ungodly nations or parts of the world.

Here at The Conference Call, we’re attempting to make sense of it all, as well:

Wood: No, I don’t think they are acts of God. I think the world responds accordingly to how we treat it. I believe God is a loving and not a vengeful God. Don’t get me wrong, the Old Testament shows what happens when He gets pissed. Fortunately, we live in a time of [post] Jesus where all sin is forgiven. But I think you reap what you so. Or it’s Karma. Or whatever your spiritual beliefs call it.

Am I saying Japanese people have done something wrong? No. But I do think our constant drain on the Earth is going to cause problems.

Kev: I agree. What do you mean by our constant drain on Earth is going to cause problems?

Wood: Well I’ll give you an example… And I can’t defend this because it’s unfounded… But i’m sure there is a correlation between the increase in frequency in earthquakes in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and the drilling for gas. I know correlation doesn’t mean causal, but there is something there that needs to be explored. Global warming… Too many cows and cars… Have the hippies make a choice: Use gas guzzlers or let people eat meat in peace. And so on.

Kev: So in other words, we aren’t taking care of the Earth as we should? I’ve heard about the Greenbrier thing. I just get tired of people blaming natural disasters on “God’s judgment,” because biblical evidence actually supports God’s judgment being poured out in the days of the tribulation. Those “natural disasters,” actually are more supernatural in their descriptions. And the moon has yet to turn to blood so….

Rice: Personally I’m in the “Crap Happens” camp. The Earth’s crust shifts because of physics, and fluid dynamics, and sometimes the weather gets bad. There have been cycles of weather and other natural disasters for centuries, and there will continue to be until the end of days. But since I believe that we are all equally depraved in God’s eyes I don’t see God “punishing the wicked” in this manner. Punishment will be eternal and delivered by God once all of our lives have been lived. At the same time I do believe that sometimes God DOES in fact send us troubles to test us or teach us and that sometimes natural disasters can play a part, but that is far from the same thing.

Once again we only have been collecting weather and seismic data for around 100 years or so. We have some extrapolated data that suggests information we can’t really know. So using that kind of data in any modeling will tend to be misleading. I am still of the opinion that the last 100 years have not differed significantly in either weather patterns or frequency of seismic events than the preceding centuries.

C-Mac: Agreed. God is not the author of confusion, and I don’t think he went Sodom fire and brimstone on Japan. Crap happens…but global warming could be our fault and is an example of your other theory. Katrina too. [I’m] Not [placing blame on] the hurricane, but [more so on] flooding because we built below sea level with inadequate levees.

What do you think? Do you believe that natural disasters are just that… natural disasters? Do you believe it’s God’s way of judging the Earth? Leave a comment, and join the conversation.

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