ANTI-social networking sites

TechCrunch points to two much-needed services in the over-congested world of online-networking:

Isolatr isn’t a real service, but it should be. Sean Bonner of Metroblogging created the site, which promises to “help you find where other people aren’t”. For bonus content, check out the FAQs (every answer is “no”). I love the attention to detail, like calling it a beta service, leaving the “e” out of the name and adding fake quotes from Doc Searls and Xeni Jardin.

Chris Pirillo has been asking for something like this (but real) for ages. Valleywag has more.

Bryant Choung’s Snubster is an actual, live service. It helps you notify people, and the world, that you are pissed off at someone. The “On Notice” feature tells them that they have committed an “infraction” and are in a suspension period. If they really screw up, you can state that they are “Dead to Me”. Each user has a profile (example) where they can get into the juicy details. The only question I have is, why is there an “e” before the “r” in the snubster name?

Add to this list, Memeorandum‘s just-launched gossip-tracking buzzblog WeSmirch.

Bloggers Campaign to Free Jill Carroll

Curt Hopkins, founding director of the Committee to Protect Bloggers, passed me a note as part of a call-to-blogs to help free Jill Carroll by disseminating a video PSA plea for her safe release.

The video is here (Arabic). Translation is here.

It shouldn’t be necessary to remind readers of this blog that 28-year-old Christian Science Monitor journalist Jill Carroll was kidnapped January 7.

A late February deadline set by her captors passed quietly and there has been no confirmation of her whereabouts or well-being, although optimism remains strong. The Christian Science Monitor announced last week that it has “reinvigorated its Iraqi media campaign” to free Carroll.

[technorati tag: blogjill]

Under the Radar Saturday

Several interesting stories being filed today.

AP: A U.S. contractor was found mysteriously dead, sickness his laptop stolen, and Ahmed Chalabi mentioned among others in the article. Dale Stoffel apparently complained — a big no-no.

AFP: U.S. General John Abizaid states that forces have been cut by up to 20 percent in teh past couple months.

AP: The four members of the Christian Peacemaker Team, who have been kidnapped in IRaq for for over two months, appeared once again on Al-Jazeera, pleaing for their release. The group said it was their “last chance” for freedom from their captors, from the previously unknown Swords of Righteousness Brigade.

Reuters: A Sunni academic who condemned the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq and was often a commentator on both Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya television was killed today.

Serious action is finally being taken today to push for a filibuster blocking the nomination of Samuel Alito. A filibuster would require 41 votes from senate and there are 44 democrats. Grab a hold of the activism protruding from the left blogosphere here, here, here, and here.

MediaChannel’s Keep the light on Petition

Media Channel, the self-annointed Global Network for Democratic Media, has issued a petition calling for the media to continue reporting on Katrina and the injustices occuring throughout the government.

The KEEP THE LIGHT ON! petition is available to be signed by all. Lets not forget about nabbing Rove and/or Novak for keeping Judy Miller imprisoned and doing dirty laundry.