Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Happy joy unicorn land
In happy joy unicorn land, the nice asian man next door has kindly asked that we stop borrowing his lawn tools and kitchen equipment, since if we insist on using our hats and shoes as cooking pots and chopping up our furniture for firewood, he is concerned that he won't ever see again the nice things he lent us for our barbecue last summer.
Marketwatch (HONGKONG)
Chinese regulators have asked domestic banks to stop lending to U.S. financial institutions in the interbank money markets to prevent possible losses during the financial crisis, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday. The China Banking Regulatory Commission's ban on interbank lending of all currencies applied to U.S. banks, but not to lenders from other countries, the report added, citing a source. End of Story
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
That is stupid #4. Alaskan Manly Men Gourment Coffee, Ahar!
Ahar mateys! Come aboard an' try some of my delicious grog. Ahar! I mean coffee: coffee thick as a slurry o'fish bait rolling around in a ship's hold after a long voyage, with the delicate aroma of a skipper's armpits and the barest hint of o'stale crab meat.
Come meet me for a cup at your local supermarket. No autographs please! But I am available for children's parties. Ahar! I mean p-arghties, of course.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Surprise! Theism negatively correlated with IQ
What's worse: that it took so long for someone to get round to doing this research, or that this research is more important than ever in the 21 century?
University of Ulster professor Richard Lynn will draw the conclusion in new research due to be published in the journal Intelligence, the Times Higher Education Supplement reports.Lynn and his two co-authors argue that average IQ is an excellent predictor of what proportion of the population are true believers, across 137 countries. They also cite surveys of the US Academy of Sciences and UK Royal Academy showing single-digit rates of religious belief among academics.
Oh, I know what's worse. That I'm going to have to tread on eggshells when taking about this with so many people I hold dear.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"Sarah Palin's Big Day" - Slart's version
Let me see now, excited old man with hard-on, soccer mom (ooooh sorry, 'hockey mom'), taking care of her kids. Sounds like a winning presidential ticket to me.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
"Sarah Palin's Big Day"
I saw a news headline on CNN today, watching the one-eyed-monster and drinking coffee.
"Sarah Palin's Big Day"
Whether or not one's political views tend towards conservatism, liberalism, or hopefully, moderation, whether or not one runs red, blue, or green, something in the title and subtle implications of the header lit a fire under my ass.
One may not agree with everything a politician does, says, demonstrates, or enacts into law. One may find hypocrisy throughout the legal system, and in practices of politicians in public and private life. One may fear the ramifications of certain measures taken by those in power, sometimes meant to protect us, sometimes serving a purpose benefiting those who sat down behind closed doors, hands in the coffer, and said "Yes, let's." For the sake of this wet blanket, please for the moment suspend these thoughts. Let's look at Sarah Palin as a public servant, one of many, all of whom hold different value systems.
Her "Big Day". Like she's some prom queen or debutante getting ready for her "coming out" into society? Oooh, Sarah! Where did you get your hair done? What designer are you wearing tonight? What's your morning ritual? What's your color chart? How do you manage to look so put together with five kids, a grandbaby on the way, and a state to run? Am I crazy for finding this offensive to all women? She might as well wear a veil and tell the audience she's waited for this moment her whole life, according to the announcement on the news. Why doesn't the media rise above and beyond trivial jibes and let one's opponent become done or undone without derisive, childish comments? Tongue in cheek is only good for gentle admonishment; it is much harder to act like an adult and give everyone equal credit to individual existence and values, whether or not one is in agreement.
The undertones of the "Big Day" statement wrench my female innards. I have a feeling some reporters will be focusing on her dress style and makeup rather than the fact she's a first in many political arenas, much like a certain member of the Democratic camp. Will they treat her as a politician with ideas to bring to the table (or ideas to oppose), or will they truss her up and bring her to stage as an oddity, a skirt suit show instead of suit and tie? Women, after all, were granted the right to vote after everyone else. Her "Big Day". Like she hasn't been running a state for the past two years, like this is the first speech she's ever given in her life. Similar to Obama's ethnicity and background forced to the forefront to make an issue of or take issue with--at the end of the day he is an American, plain and simple. This is how I view him, and how I view Palin. He has broken ground, much like Palin (following in Geraldine Ferraro's footsteps). He gets a Historic Moment In Time, she gets a "Big Day". Well, paint my nails and call me premenstrual! Obama called a reporter "sweetie" and dismisses her, but that's no matter now, is it?
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juy9NwI8_i0 )
She should be flattered he even noticed her, right? We'll let women play the game but won't give them any chips to bet with. And if she makes a fuss, there's always a stake and lighter fluid handy.
I don't give a sh** who anyone votes for or what people believe; I have my own path (always open to discourse and discussion). We all get to believe what we want in this country, and speak freely without fear of persecution and imprisonment, but while the constitution governs our supposed basic rights, there are those who refuse to govern their own mouths when it is their responsibility to the public to do so. All I hope for is that the person elected to office will give a hoot about this country and guide us towards a better state of being, even if I don't agree 100% with his or her beliefs. In the meantime, we are subjected to behaviours and opinions unfit for media representatives and public servants during the political gladiator fight. Deep wounds are reopened, rubbed with salt, and badly dressed with dirty linens. Reporters and campaign managers stand no better than schoolyard bullies. CNN, among other news agencies, took a big wool one, dunked it in a bucket, and held it over my face this morning. Of course, this is not the first time a mainstream media outlet has degraded a public servant--I'm touching the tip of the iceberg. Anyone remember the New Yorker's "humorous satire" of Michelle & Barack Obama? Where do these people get this stuff?
But then again, maybe I'm just experiencing some PMS, right? After all, women do tend to get a little emotional at times and it may affect our judgement. I'd better get back to finding the perfect cookie recipe, and I've got a pile of laundry up to my neck, mostly consisting of blankets.
"Sarah Palin's Big Day"
Whether or not one's political views tend towards conservatism, liberalism, or hopefully, moderation, whether or not one runs red, blue, or green, something in the title and subtle implications of the header lit a fire under my ass.
One may not agree with everything a politician does, says, demonstrates, or enacts into law. One may find hypocrisy throughout the legal system, and in practices of politicians in public and private life. One may fear the ramifications of certain measures taken by those in power, sometimes meant to protect us, sometimes serving a purpose benefiting those who sat down behind closed doors, hands in the coffer, and said "Yes, let's." For the sake of this wet blanket, please for the moment suspend these thoughts. Let's look at Sarah Palin as a public servant, one of many, all of whom hold different value systems.
Her "Big Day". Like she's some prom queen or debutante getting ready for her "coming out" into society? Oooh, Sarah! Where did you get your hair done? What designer are you wearing tonight? What's your morning ritual? What's your color chart? How do you manage to look so put together with five kids, a grandbaby on the way, and a state to run? Am I crazy for finding this offensive to all women? She might as well wear a veil and tell the audience she's waited for this moment her whole life, according to the announcement on the news. Why doesn't the media rise above and beyond trivial jibes and let one's opponent become done or undone without derisive, childish comments? Tongue in cheek is only good for gentle admonishment; it is much harder to act like an adult and give everyone equal credit to individual existence and values, whether or not one is in agreement.
The undertones of the "Big Day" statement wrench my female innards. I have a feeling some reporters will be focusing on her dress style and makeup rather than the fact she's a first in many political arenas, much like a certain member of the Democratic camp. Will they treat her as a politician with ideas to bring to the table (or ideas to oppose), or will they truss her up and bring her to stage as an oddity, a skirt suit show instead of suit and tie? Women, after all, were granted the right to vote after everyone else. Her "Big Day". Like she hasn't been running a state for the past two years, like this is the first speech she's ever given in her life. Similar to Obama's ethnicity and background forced to the forefront to make an issue of or take issue with--at the end of the day he is an American, plain and simple. This is how I view him, and how I view Palin. He has broken ground, much like Palin (following in Geraldine Ferraro's footsteps). He gets a Historic Moment In Time, she gets a "Big Day". Well, paint my nails and call me premenstrual! Obama called a reporter "sweetie" and dismisses her, but that's no matter now, is it?
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Juy9NwI8_i0 )
She should be flattered he even noticed her, right? We'll let women play the game but won't give them any chips to bet with. And if she makes a fuss, there's always a stake and lighter fluid handy.
I don't give a sh** who anyone votes for or what people believe; I have my own path (always open to discourse and discussion). We all get to believe what we want in this country, and speak freely without fear of persecution and imprisonment, but while the constitution governs our supposed basic rights, there are those who refuse to govern their own mouths when it is their responsibility to the public to do so. All I hope for is that the person elected to office will give a hoot about this country and guide us towards a better state of being, even if I don't agree 100% with his or her beliefs. In the meantime, we are subjected to behaviours and opinions unfit for media representatives and public servants during the political gladiator fight. Deep wounds are reopened, rubbed with salt, and badly dressed with dirty linens. Reporters and campaign managers stand no better than schoolyard bullies. CNN, among other news agencies, took a big wool one, dunked it in a bucket, and held it over my face this morning. Of course, this is not the first time a mainstream media outlet has degraded a public servant--I'm touching the tip of the iceberg. Anyone remember the New Yorker's "humorous satire" of Michelle & Barack Obama? Where do these people get this stuff?
But then again, maybe I'm just experiencing some PMS, right? After all, women do tend to get a little emotional at times and it may affect our judgement. I'd better get back to finding the perfect cookie recipe, and I've got a pile of laundry up to my neck, mostly consisting of blankets.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Suspension of Disbelief
This morning, my underwear reminded me of something I'd like to share: suspension of disbelief. I'll spare you the entire train of thought, but suffice it to say that I got to thinking about the movie The Incredibles. Specifically, I was thinking about the superfast little boy who zipped up from his school desk, put a tack on his teacher's chair, and zipped back to his desk before anybody could register that he was not in his seat.
Ok. That's fine. Let's suspend our disbelief. Grant the little tyke his speedy feat. But what about all the consequent phenomena? Just how fast was he going? Faster than sound? He would have made a shock wave and everybody in his class would have heard the sonic booms. Let's say he stayed under Mach 1. His trip through the classroom would have left the air stirring like the wake of a semi truck. The tack he placed probably would have been sucked up into the low pressure zone he made as he vacated the spot he was in as he placed the tack. A roaring wind would have ripped around the classroom. Surely people would have noticed.
Completely unbelievable, even if you posit the one incredible thing. That brings me to the general point of this particular wet blanket. Suspension of disbelief is great. I like it. But there's only so far a reasonable person can go with it. We can easily suspend our disbelief regarding phenomena outside the human experience or outside the realm of knowledge. But once universal laws start getting stepped on, the disbelief suspension gets less and less easy.
Take for instance another movie, X-Men: The Last Stand (colloquially, X-Men 3). I'm willing to grant Wolverine his claws and healing ability and metal-coated skeleton. I can grant Professor X his telepathy. There are lots of the mutant powers toward which I am willing to suspend disbelief. But what about that one dude who kept throwing those spikes at Wolverine? Where did they come from? Where is all the mass coming from? And the scene with the bridge and Alcatraz? OOH! That is completely unbelievable, it had me spluttering and pointing in disbelief. Bridges are the shape they are because some really smart people spent a lot of time and energy designing them. And suspension bridges absolutely depend on the cables to hold them up. That bridge would have collapsed the moment that our nearly believable Magneto stopped holding it up.
I have another movie example. In Starship Troopers, which by the way absolutely murdered Heinlein's novel, a ship in orbit around a planet is shot down. Hm? Things in orbit don't fall out of orbit just because they get broken into two pieces. They are already falling. That's what orbiting is. They can't just fall out of the sky. Remember the Chinese weather satellite? It is still up there in pieces.
When well understood physical laws get violated, I start asking questions. And so should you. I don't mean to be a killjoy (or should I say, "wet blanket?"), but I do want people to do a little more thinking and question asking than they seem to do now. And if you are a movie maker, I would be happy to act as a believability consultant.
Ok. That's fine. Let's suspend our disbelief. Grant the little tyke his speedy feat. But what about all the consequent phenomena? Just how fast was he going? Faster than sound? He would have made a shock wave and everybody in his class would have heard the sonic booms. Let's say he stayed under Mach 1. His trip through the classroom would have left the air stirring like the wake of a semi truck. The tack he placed probably would have been sucked up into the low pressure zone he made as he vacated the spot he was in as he placed the tack. A roaring wind would have ripped around the classroom. Surely people would have noticed.
Completely unbelievable, even if you posit the one incredible thing. That brings me to the general point of this particular wet blanket. Suspension of disbelief is great. I like it. But there's only so far a reasonable person can go with it. We can easily suspend our disbelief regarding phenomena outside the human experience or outside the realm of knowledge. But once universal laws start getting stepped on, the disbelief suspension gets less and less easy.
Take for instance another movie, X-Men: The Last Stand (colloquially, X-Men 3). I'm willing to grant Wolverine his claws and healing ability and metal-coated skeleton. I can grant Professor X his telepathy. There are lots of the mutant powers toward which I am willing to suspend disbelief. But what about that one dude who kept throwing those spikes at Wolverine? Where did they come from? Where is all the mass coming from? And the scene with the bridge and Alcatraz? OOH! That is completely unbelievable, it had me spluttering and pointing in disbelief. Bridges are the shape they are because some really smart people spent a lot of time and energy designing them. And suspension bridges absolutely depend on the cables to hold them up. That bridge would have collapsed the moment that our nearly believable Magneto stopped holding it up.
I have another movie example. In Starship Troopers, which by the way absolutely murdered Heinlein's novel, a ship in orbit around a planet is shot down. Hm? Things in orbit don't fall out of orbit just because they get broken into two pieces. They are already falling. That's what orbiting is. They can't just fall out of the sky. Remember the Chinese weather satellite? It is still up there in pieces.
When well understood physical laws get violated, I start asking questions. And so should you. I don't mean to be a killjoy (or should I say, "wet blanket?"), but I do want people to do a little more thinking and question asking than they seem to do now. And if you are a movie maker, I would be happy to act as a believability consultant.
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