No seriously, it’s worth your time. An episode of Frontline called the Digital Nation aired last night exploring how the internet and related technologies have touched our lives, for the both good and ill. The segment on multitasking in the 8 minute clip below is particularly telling. Not because the conclusions reached aren’t obvious, but because it so succinctly describes the state most of us find ourselves in when we are “connected.” Watch:

The entire episode is 90 minutes definitely worth the time and can be watched at PBS.com.

We here at Inside, Looking Out would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving! While it has been a difficult year for many, myself included, the new year is finally around the bend, hopefully bringing better and brighter times for us all.

It will be light posting over the holiday weekend, so I’ll leave you in good “Muppet” hands. The internet sensation guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Congressman Pete King from New York takes time out of his 4th of July weekend to bash Michael Jackson.

Granted the media coverage has been out of control, but did King really have to go out of his way to lash out at Jackson on charges that were never proven? What a piece of work.

If you feel the need, contact Pete King at his website, or by phone: 516-541-4225, or email: Pete.King@mail.house.gov.

UPDATE: A Fund has been setup to defeat King in his district at ActBlue.

Psychologist Barry Schwartz explores the notion of “freedom of choice,” and makes a convincing case that having more choice ultimately makes us less happy.

Watching the clip might make you long for simpler times. Like Dana Carvey’s Grumpy Old Man character from SNL…

I’m oooooold! And I’m not happy! And I don’t like things now compared to the way they used to be. All this progress — phooey! In my day, we didn’t have these cash machines that would give you money when you needed it. There was only one bank in each state — it was open only one hour a year. And you’d get in line, seventeen miles long, and the line became an angry mob of people — fornicators and thieves, mutant children and circus freaks — and you waited for years and by the time you got to the teller, you were senile and arthritic and you couldn’t remember your own name. You were born, got in line, and ya died! And that’s the way it was and we liked it!

Then again… perhaps not. 🙂