A photo of Jason Clarke from the waist up, smiling at the camera wearing a brown corduroy sport coat and blue sweater

Hi, I’m Jason Clarke. I’m a family guy, writer, and digital strategist based in Orono, Maine. More about me →

Ideas & Ethics

  • Shame on The New York Times

    “I don

  • Brightcove: Please update your site!

    New web-based video service enabler Brightcove, founded by one of my favorite web pioneers, Jeremy Allaire, is making a drastic mistake as it launches: for me atleast, its site’s main navigation is completely broken in my version of Firefox. Not to mention, the entire site is one big flash file. Yikes, but as much as…

  • Idea factory: Share your TiVo programming hints with other friends

    Looking for a pretty easy and usable web project? How about using the TiVo website (where owners can view and schedule TiVo recordings online) and combining it with some kind of easily hackable online TV listings site (neither Yahoo!’s nor TVGuide.com’s had any kind of feed/API that I could find). The result would be a…

  • Idea factory: Compare the box office theories with fact

    Okay, so some folks are suggesting that summer box office was down because the movies were bad. Bereft of proof until recently, they’re now claiming vindication because box office receipts are now up, in a time when “better” movies are traditionally released (the fall). So…how to find out what’s really happening? There’s no absolute way…

  • Technorati pays to be pinged first…so why are the still so sloooowww?

    BusinessWeek’s Blogspotting reports that Technorati has struck “exclusive deals” with some blog utilities to be pinged first before any other services (such as weblogs.com or Pingomatic) are notified that your blog has been updated. So what? Is this a big deal? It might not be, except for the fact that despite this alleged advantage, Technorati…

  • Weblogs, Inc. network abandons Technorati…one week after Jason Clarke, Inc. network!

    I’ve been woefully remiss in following up on my posts last week regarding my switch from Technorati to IceRocket (if you missed it, CEO’s of both companies commented here last week). Now comes a post from that other Jason (hehe), Weblogs, Inc. network prez Jason Calacanis. He’s not only fed up with Technorati, he’s asked…

  • Mickey Kaus and the infalability of Malcolm Gladwell

    To be honest, I think it’s getting past time for somebody to infuse some much-needed skepticism into Malcolm Gladwell‘s writing. As much as I love and respect Gladwell’s writing- his book, The Tipping Point, is one of my all-time favorites- he’s coasted far too long on an overwhelmingly unchecked public image. Call me cynical, but…

  • Retail heaven or Dell Hell: Before you expect a blog to solve your customer service woes, try some basics first

    Considering the serious amount of blogjuice generated by Jeff Jarvis’ 520-part Dell Hell series is generating in (and out!) of the blogosphere, I thought it only fair to relate two extremely positive customer service experiences I’ve had lately, starting with most recent and going back through earlier this summer. Then, I’ll talk a bit about…

  • Kottke agrees…Technorati sucks

    Last week, I reached the breaking point with Technorati and abandoned the service I called my “Web service of the year” for 2004. This week, Jason Kottke reaches the breaking point and says So Long, Technorati himself.

  • A humble request

    Dear Blogosphere, Please, please, please, STOP using the word “mashups”. It’s a stupid, ugly word, much dumber and lamer than the word “blog.” And you’re using it way, way, way, too much.