The good of Twitter and publishing's future

The new anthology 2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake was put together in just a week. It's only available in eBook form from Amazon right now, but less than a month after the disaster, it's a book about a disaster that actually has a chance to measurable help the victims of the disaster. According to Technorati, a British resident of Japan, known as "Our Man In Abiko," put out a call over Twitter and within hours had received dozens of short essays and photos. I don't own a Kindle, but you can still download its reader program to read the book on your computer. The book is available from Amazon.com for $9.99. Amazon has waived their usual fees, so all profits go to the Red Cross. It's a great way to give some money and take a look at this Twitter-sourced book.

The Academy Awards

I tweeted my way through last night's Academy Awards. As much as I wanted James Franco and Anne Hathaway to do well, I don't think the show came together. Their opening montage was great. Invading Alec Baldwin's dreams to steel hosting secrets, and discovering that Baldwin has Morgan Freeman narrate his dreams (but who doesn't?). But my question was: Why steel secrets from last year's co-host who wasn't invited back? Billy Crystal would have been a better choice, and if you're trying to "young and hip," go with John Stewart.