9 ways a billion dollar new mobile company might be created In Secret, Court Vastly Broadens Powers of N.S.A. Android distribution numbers updated for July, Jelly Bean now the most used version

The BMW M3 Coupe Is Officially Dead If PRISM Is Good Policy, Why Stop With Terrorism? What Snowden Needs Now Is a Good Lawyer ‘I filmed the first fight and arrest through Google Glass’ How Clothes Should Fit

Happy Fourth of July! Today’s post includes a story that isn’t so much something I’m reading, as something to which I’m listening. NPR’s Morning Edition has a long-standing tradition to read the Declaration of Independence on-air every July 4th. This year is no different, though it has a bit of a twist. Rather than the usual cast of hosts and correspondents reading in turn, this year they have visitors to the National Archives doing the reading.

Rising Early: Why Successful People Do It & How You Can Too Stop Penalizing Boys for Not Being Able to Sit Still at School Why Healthy Eaters Fall for Fries Why Everyone Should Telecommute Progressive enhancement is still important

There are no journalists Jeff Jarvis argues that defining the term “journalist” creates boundaries that run counter to the purpose of journalism. The NSA vs. Democracy Intelligence services are by nature in conflict with the principles of democracy - transparency and accountability for and by the people. Ezra Klein makes a case similar to the one I made a few weeks ago, but with more charts and figures. Google+ Turns Two: Why I’m Becoming a Convert

The electrified brain: the power and promise of neural implants We really are getting to the point of building bionic humans. Brain implant technology is the most fascinating area of development in that space. The Criminal NSA Nearly all the coverage of PRISM and NSA’s surveillance is around Edward Snowden’s illegal actions. Let’s take a look at the illegalities of NSA’s oeprations. Put a Fork in It I don’t do this so I’ve never thought about it, but apparently a lot of Americans have a very inefficient and awkward way of using their fork & knife.

Hopes for a non skim-milk marriage A gay woman in Tennessee explains what DOMA being struck down, and marriage in general, means to her. Gigabit Seattle priced at $80 per month, just over what Google Fiber costs I’m so happy to see others following Google’s lead to start bringing gigabit fiber to the masses. Now I’m just waiting for somebody to come give me a viable alternative to Crapcast. Messing with Texas

Texas State Senator Wendy Davis is currently filibustering an abortion bill that, if passed, would effectively close every abortion clinic in the state. To defeat the bill she has to stay on her feet until midnight, at which point the 30 day special session ends. Senator Davis started speaking at 11:18am CDT and as I’m writing this at 9:44pm CDT she is still going strong. Update: the full video of the filibuster (many, many hours) is not available, so I’ve replaced that with a clip of one of the highlights.

The reaction to Edward Snowden’s leaking of classified documents was exactly what everyone expected: the government went crazy and leveled accusations of treason and espionage (subsequently filing charges against him under the Espionage Act), the media had a field day scraping up details about Snowden and interviewing countless people about implications, ad nauseum. The public were naturally divided between those who agree with the government’s characterization of the man and his actions, and those who support what he did as patriotic exposure of government overreach.

Instagram Video and the Death of Fantasy Despite the claims made by Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom, Instagram isn’t capturing the memories of your life - it’s a fantasy highlight reel. Demonizing Edward Snowden: Which Side Are You On? This author asserts that coverage of the Edward Snowden situation isn’t journalism but sensationalism and bandwagon jumping. Something tells me Jeff Jarvis would agree. This Virginia Driver Has The New Greatest License Plate Of All Time