weekend update March 6-8, 2009

3-08-09—The once-lionized styles of the rich an infamous were appalling tacky. John Thain’s parchment trash can was merely the tip of the kitschy iceberg. The level of taste flaunted by America’s upper caste at the bubble’s height had less in common with the Medicis than, say, Uday and Qusay Hussein.—Frank Rich, NYT WK 11

--3-08-09—“There are very few Republican murals around”—Henry Sultan, board president of S.F. Mural Arts and Visual Center. NYT AR 23

3-06-09—Students at the University of Main recently announced a prototype for a wearable matchmaking device called the “Friend Finder.” The gadget, programmed with information about the wearer’s interests and tastes, features a series of LED lights that flash whenever another user with compatible interests is within 30 feet—allowing humans to mimic the romantic signaling of butterflies. WSJ W11