The price of a particular stock I own has been in the doldrums for years, hovering around $27-$29/share. I put in a limit order to sell about a third of it if it ever hit $35 (and another third at $40). With small orders such as mine, the price is usually a "best guess", i.e. I told it to sell at $35, but my expectation is that when the stock actually sells on the market, it will have dropped back down below $35.
Last week, the order triggered. The stock peaked at $35.97 for about 10 minutes. When I got the confirmation this weekend, I found it sold at $35.85.
Sweet!
It's now back around $34. When it drops back to $29 I'm going to buy it all back.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Ben Stein Gets Beat By A College Sophomore
Well said.
If Stein and his ilk really want to leave their mark on the debate between science and intelligent design, the absolute best move on their part would be to define intelligent design in unambiguous terms, outline exactly what the theory predicts and explain how it can be tested. Until then, apparently, 90-minute "documentaries" filled with soundbites and rhetoric will have to do.
If Stein and his ilk really want to leave their mark on the debate between science and intelligent design, the absolute best move on their part would be to define intelligent design in unambiguous terms, outline exactly what the theory predicts and explain how it can be tested. Until then, apparently, 90-minute "documentaries" filled with soundbites and rhetoric will have to do.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Cocktail Party Physics
Awesome website with some of the most insightful commentary on physics I have seen in a long time.
Dubious Moments in Comic Book History
From Lileks. Say what you want about his politics, he's a often hilarious on culture.
Dark Matters
As long time readers know, I am not wholly convinced about the existance of Dark Matter, and favor a more intuitive approach that modifies gravity at large distances.
Another log on that fire can be read here
A detailed analysis of the November 15, 2006 data release (Clowe et al., 2006) X-ray surface density Sigma-map and the strong and weak gravitational lensing convergence kappa-map for the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 is performed and the results are compared with the predictions of a modified gravity (MOG) and dark matter. Our surface density Sigma-model is computed using a King beta-model density, and a mass profile of the main cluster and an isothermal temperature profile are determined by the MOG. We find that the main cluster thermal profile is nearly isothermal. The MOG prediction of the isothermal temperature of the main cluster is T = 15.5 +- 3.9 keV, in good agreement with the experimental value T = 14.8{+2.0}{-1.7} keV. Excellent fits to the two-dimensional convergence kappa-map data are obtained without non-baryonic dark matter, accounting for the 8-sigma spatial offset between the Sigma-map and the kappa-map reported in Clowe et al. (2006). The MOG prediction for the kappa-map results in two baryonic components distributed across the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 with averaged mass-fraction of 83% intracluster medium (ICM) gas and 17% galaxies. Conversely, the Newtonian dark matter kappa-model has on average 76% dark matter (neglecting the indeterminant contribution due to the galaxies) and 24% ICM gas for a baryon to dark matter mass-fraction of 0.32, a statistically significant result when compared to the predicted Lambda-CDM cosmological baryon mass-fraction of 0.176{+0.019}{-0.012} (Spergel et al., 2006).
Another log on that fire can be read here
A detailed analysis of the November 15, 2006 data release (Clowe et al., 2006) X-ray surface density Sigma-map and the strong and weak gravitational lensing convergence kappa-map for the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 is performed and the results are compared with the predictions of a modified gravity (MOG) and dark matter. Our surface density Sigma-model is computed using a King beta-model density, and a mass profile of the main cluster and an isothermal temperature profile are determined by the MOG. We find that the main cluster thermal profile is nearly isothermal. The MOG prediction of the isothermal temperature of the main cluster is T = 15.5 +- 3.9 keV, in good agreement with the experimental value T = 14.8{+2.0}{-1.7} keV. Excellent fits to the two-dimensional convergence kappa-map data are obtained without non-baryonic dark matter, accounting for the 8-sigma spatial offset between the Sigma-map and the kappa-map reported in Clowe et al. (2006). The MOG prediction for the kappa-map results in two baryonic components distributed across the Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 with averaged mass-fraction of 83% intracluster medium (ICM) gas and 17% galaxies. Conversely, the Newtonian dark matter kappa-model has on average 76% dark matter (neglecting the indeterminant contribution due to the galaxies) and 24% ICM gas for a baryon to dark matter mass-fraction of 0.32, a statistically significant result when compared to the predicted Lambda-CDM cosmological baryon mass-fraction of 0.176{+0.019}{-0.012} (Spergel et al., 2006).
Comet Holmes in Outburst
Something to do this weekend, if the skies are clear:
Comet 17P/Holmes stunned comet watchers across planet Earth earlier this week. On October 24, it increased in brightness over half a million times in a matter of hours. The outburst transformed it from an obscure and faint comet quietly orbiting the Sun with a period of about 7 years to a naked-eye comet rivaling the brighter stars in the constellation Perseus. Recorded on that date, this view from Tehran, Iran highlights the comet's (enhanced and circled) dramatic new visibility in urban skies. The inset (left) is a telescopic image from a backyard in Buffalo, New York showing the comet's greatly expanded coma, but apparent lack of a tail. Holmes' outburst could be due to a sudden exposure of fresh cometary ice or even the breakup of the comet nucleus. The comet may well remain bright in the coming days.
Comet 17P/Holmes stunned comet watchers across planet Earth earlier this week. On October 24, it increased in brightness over half a million times in a matter of hours. The outburst transformed it from an obscure and faint comet quietly orbiting the Sun with a period of about 7 years to a naked-eye comet rivaling the brighter stars in the constellation Perseus. Recorded on that date, this view from Tehran, Iran highlights the comet's (enhanced and circled) dramatic new visibility in urban skies. The inset (left) is a telescopic image from a backyard in Buffalo, New York showing the comet's greatly expanded coma, but apparent lack of a tail. Holmes' outburst could be due to a sudden exposure of fresh cometary ice or even the breakup of the comet nucleus. The comet may well remain bright in the coming days.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Fanning the Flames of Fear
More on how folks like Fox take a second rate threat who got lucky, and tried to turn him into the boggy man.
Did al Qaeda start the California wildfires?
As more than a million people escaped the flames, Fox News anchors couldn't help speculating about a terrorism link to the blazes ravaging southern California.
"I've heard some people talk about this a little bit to me, but have you heard anybody suggest that this could be some form of terrorism," Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy asked Wednesday morning.
Correspondent Adam Housley said he's received "hundreds of comments" from readers of his Fox News blog speculating about a link to terrorism.
At some point, even the most ardent support has to admit that what they do on Fox isn't news.
Did al Qaeda start the California wildfires?
As more than a million people escaped the flames, Fox News anchors couldn't help speculating about a terrorism link to the blazes ravaging southern California.
"I've heard some people talk about this a little bit to me, but have you heard anybody suggest that this could be some form of terrorism," Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy asked Wednesday morning.
Correspondent Adam Housley said he's received "hundreds of comments" from readers of his Fox News blog speculating about a link to terrorism.
At some point, even the most ardent support has to admit that what they do on Fox isn't news.
David Gerrold has a Blog
here
David is one of my favorite authors and wrote The Man Who Folded Himself, which irrevocably warped me when I read it at age 13 (it's a fable on the dangers of narcissism).
His novel, the Martian Child, has been made into a movie and is coming out in the next few weeks.
David is one of my favorite authors and wrote The Man Who Folded Himself, which irrevocably warped me when I read it at age 13 (it's a fable on the dangers of narcissism).
His novel, the Martian Child, has been made into a movie and is coming out in the next few weeks.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
World Net Daily
Did you know the Earth is only 6010 years old? Did you know that atheists are the greatest threat to our Christian nation. You're obviously not reading World Net Daily!
Also, this little gem:
"How to outlaw Christianity" by Chuck Norris, who says 30 million Americans profess there is no God, and shows how atheist organizations are working to undermine Christianity .
(via)
Also, this little gem:
"How to outlaw Christianity" by Chuck Norris, who says 30 million Americans profess there is no God, and shows how atheist organizations are working to undermine Christianity .
(via)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Another Reason to Root for the Red Sox
Does this mean, if the Sox take the trophy, god doesn't exist?
"You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make," general manager Dan O'Dowd said in the only interview he has given on the subject, long before the Rockies' remarkable ascension over the past few weeks. "You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."
Anyone who fancies the Almighty has better things to do than determine the outcome of baseball games might want to consider just what the Rockies have achieved. At the beginning of September, they were fourth out of five in the National League Western division and seemingly headed to yet another cold Colorado winter chewing over another disappointing season. Then they started winning, and didn't stop. They won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games – a freak occurrence in a sport that has always been more about failure than success, where even the strongest teams usually win no more than six games of every 10.
(here)
"You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make," general manager Dan O'Dowd said in the only interview he has given on the subject, long before the Rockies' remarkable ascension over the past few weeks. "You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."
Anyone who fancies the Almighty has better things to do than determine the outcome of baseball games might want to consider just what the Rockies have achieved. At the beginning of September, they were fourth out of five in the National League Western division and seemingly headed to yet another cold Colorado winter chewing over another disappointing season. Then they started winning, and didn't stop. They won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games – a freak occurrence in a sport that has always been more about failure than success, where even the strongest teams usually win no more than six games of every 10.
(here)
Monday, October 22, 2007
Probably
It's probably against some policy at work to use a phrase like "I already have the vision thing worked out and will sibmit it 6 weeks early. The rest will be [person X] trying to get a hand job from Accenture."
That doesnt' make it untrue.
That doesnt' make it untrue.
Something About Cats I Did Not Know This Morning
...and I am reminded of the motto of Transylvania Polytechnic University, "Knowledge Brings Fear"
Sunday, October 21, 2007
What's the Word I am Looking For??
"Crushed" I think will fit the bill.
11-2, Yikes!
If Susan were alive today, I'm sure she would be jumping up and down about it. As it is, I didn't care too much about it until I heard from a co-worker they were in the play-offs. As he is a Cleveland fan, I sensed an opportunity for some gain and bet $100 on Boston
"You realize Cleveland is ahead 2 games to 1", he said.
"Yes, but if they can be down 3-0 against the Yankees and win, they can do anything."
"Okay, it's your loss..."
and thus a bet was made.
Tonight's dialog:
"Smell that? It smells like Victory!"
"Smells like ... shut up."
"I'm just glad I finally made a bet that doesn't end up with me mowing someone's lawn in a wedding dress..."
11-2, Yikes!
If Susan were alive today, I'm sure she would be jumping up and down about it. As it is, I didn't care too much about it until I heard from a co-worker they were in the play-offs. As he is a Cleveland fan, I sensed an opportunity for some gain and bet $100 on Boston
"You realize Cleveland is ahead 2 games to 1", he said.
"Yes, but if they can be down 3-0 against the Yankees and win, they can do anything."
"Okay, it's your loss..."
and thus a bet was made.
Tonight's dialog:
"Smell that? It smells like Victory!"
"Smells like ... shut up."
"I'm just glad I finally made a bet that doesn't end up with me mowing someone's lawn in a wedding dress..."
Speaking of the Universe
PZ Myers talks about a question he was asked, "What is the purpose of the universe?". My first reaction was, "that's a nonsense question, the universe is a natural phenomenon, it doesn't have a 'purpose'". PZ does one better though
Near as I can tell, the primary purposes of the universe as discerned from the casual expressions of religion's proponents are 1) to bias victory in local football games, and 2) to regulate the appropriate orifices into which certain people are allowed to place their penises. How the creation of Betelgeuse, the concentration of planetary material in our solar system in one body which we can't reach and which is uninhabitable to us, and the ubiquity and success of bacteria all play into these purposes is unknown to me … it must be one of God's mysteries.
Near as I can tell, the primary purposes of the universe as discerned from the casual expressions of religion's proponents are 1) to bias victory in local football games, and 2) to regulate the appropriate orifices into which certain people are allowed to place their penises. How the creation of Betelgeuse, the concentration of planetary material in our solar system in one body which we can't reach and which is uninhabitable to us, and the ubiquity and success of bacteria all play into these purposes is unknown to me … it must be one of God's mysteries.
The Big Rip
When I was a kid and, in fact most of the way through grad school, the Standard Model held the universe was going to end in a cyclic "Big Crunch", the reset button would be pushed, and a new universe would be created. It smacked of such elegance that everyone assumed it would be true once the evidence came in. Some in the spiritual community even held that it was evidence of an intelligent designer, or of a vindication of the wisdom of past thinkers.
It seems we were all way, way wrong on this one.
Cosmologists have long wondered whether the Universe will eventually re-collapse and end with a Big Crunch, or expand forever, becoming increasingly cold and empty. Recent evidence for a flat Universe, possibly with a cosmological constant or some other sort of negative-pressure dark energy, has suggested that our fate is the latter. However, the data may actually be pointing toward an astonishingly different cosmic end game. Here, we explore the consequences that follow if the dark energy is phantom energy, in which the sum of the pressure and energy density is negative. The positive phantom-energy density becomes infinite in finite time, overcoming all other forms of matter, such that the gravitational repulsion rapidly brings our brief epoch of cosmic structure to a close. The phantom energy rips apart the Milky Way, solar system, Earth, and ultimately the molecules, atoms, nuclei, and nucleons of which we are composed, before the death of the Universe in a ``Big Rip''.
In other words, the universe is an exploding bomb and we are trapped inside.
Full paper here, a good read on a Sunday afternoon.
It seems we were all way, way wrong on this one.
Cosmologists have long wondered whether the Universe will eventually re-collapse and end with a Big Crunch, or expand forever, becoming increasingly cold and empty. Recent evidence for a flat Universe, possibly with a cosmological constant or some other sort of negative-pressure dark energy, has suggested that our fate is the latter. However, the data may actually be pointing toward an astonishingly different cosmic end game. Here, we explore the consequences that follow if the dark energy is phantom energy, in which the sum of the pressure and energy density is negative. The positive phantom-energy density becomes infinite in finite time, overcoming all other forms of matter, such that the gravitational repulsion rapidly brings our brief epoch of cosmic structure to a close. The phantom energy rips apart the Milky Way, solar system, Earth, and ultimately the molecules, atoms, nuclei, and nucleons of which we are composed, before the death of the Universe in a ``Big Rip''.
In other words, the universe is an exploding bomb and we are trapped inside.
Full paper here, a good read on a Sunday afternoon.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Laaaaaaaand of the Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost...
From SciFi Weekly:
Universal Pictures has given a green light to a comedic take on the SF TV series Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, which begins production in March, Variety reported.Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) will direct the adaptation of Sid and Marty Krofft's children's show of the same name. Jimmy Miller is producing, along with the Kroffts; Julie Wixson-Darmody and Daniel Lupi will executive-produce.Ferrell has been attached to Land of the Lost for several years. The adaptation, by Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas, revolves around a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide who find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.(Universal is owned by NBC Universal, which also owns SCIFI.COM.)
Universal Pictures has given a green light to a comedic take on the SF TV series Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, which begins production in March, Variety reported.Brad Silberling (Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events) will direct the adaptation of Sid and Marty Krofft's children's show of the same name. Jimmy Miller is producing, along with the Kroffts; Julie Wixson-Darmody and Daniel Lupi will executive-produce.Ferrell has been attached to Land of the Lost for several years. The adaptation, by Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas, revolves around a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a macho tour guide who find themselves in a strange world inhabited by dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks.(Universal is owned by NBC Universal, which also owns SCIFI.COM.)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The Pope Is On Fire!
Here!
Lots and lots and lots of jokes about Hell I could make here, but I am taking the higher road...
Lots and lots and lots of jokes about Hell I could make here, but I am taking the higher road...
Heavy Ink
Travis has launched another new business, an online comic book order company called Heavy Ink. If you're into comics you should check it out. I've collected stuff since I was 4, although the titles have changed significantly. I plan on moving my sunscriptions over and taking advantage of the home delivery system.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Great Balls of Fire!
Neat! A small, low torque motor made from ball bearings and electricity!
When current passes from the outer ring of the ballrace to the inner ring via each ball, heat is generated at the point of contact due to the increased resistance. This localised heating causes the ball to expand in the hot area, causing a slight elongation of the ball, pushing against the inner and outer rings of the race. If the ball were stationary, this would cause the bearing to stiffen and sieze up, but when it's rotating (from the initial spin), this elongation causes the ball to push itself further round in the direction of rotation, sustaining the movement. This action happens as a continuous process on all the balls which are in electrical contact with the inner and outer rings.
(via)
When current passes from the outer ring of the ballrace to the inner ring via each ball, heat is generated at the point of contact due to the increased resistance. This localised heating causes the ball to expand in the hot area, causing a slight elongation of the ball, pushing against the inner and outer rings of the race. If the ball were stationary, this would cause the bearing to stiffen and sieze up, but when it's rotating (from the initial spin), this elongation causes the ball to push itself further round in the direction of rotation, sustaining the movement. This action happens as a continuous process on all the balls which are in electrical contact with the inner and outer rings.
(via)
"Groundbreaker"
The Bush Administration was trying to do it's warentless wiretapping 6 months before 9/11.
Jesus Shitballs!
here
Former chief executive Joseph P. Nacchio, convicted in April of 19 counts of insider trading, said the NSA approached Qwest more than six months before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to court documents unsealed in Denver this week.
...
Nacchio's account, which places the NSA proposal at a meeting on Feb. 27, 2001, suggests that the Bush administration was seeking to enlist telecommunications firms in programs without court oversight before the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon. The Sept. 11 attacks have been cited by the government as the main impetus for its warrantless surveillance efforts.
There is no end to just how morally bankrupt the Bush Administration seems to be.
Jesus Shitballs!
here
Former chief executive Joseph P. Nacchio, convicted in April of 19 counts of insider trading, said the NSA approached Qwest more than six months before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to court documents unsealed in Denver this week.
...
Nacchio's account, which places the NSA proposal at a meeting on Feb. 27, 2001, suggests that the Bush administration was seeking to enlist telecommunications firms in programs without court oversight before the terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon. The Sept. 11 attacks have been cited by the government as the main impetus for its warrantless surveillance efforts.
There is no end to just how morally bankrupt the Bush Administration seems to be.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Wierd Cough
I've had a persistent cough for the last 2 months which has been getting gradually worse. By cough, I mean I cough fairly loudly every 20 minutes, wake up in the middle of the night coughing and have coughed long and hard enough to cause me to vomit *and* cough (and then the fun *really* starts).
I have, as usual, been ignoring this.
however, I am annoying enough that the folks around me have noticed and been bugging me to go see someone about it. I was reluctant, in part because of a childhood incident which taught me an important lesson.
When I was a kid, I stepped on a bee. A big, nasty bumblebee with a stinger the size of Ford Falcon. I didn't notice it. Rather, my foot hurt a little and I thought I had a rock in my sandal, which was annoying, but hardly a crisis to a 5 year-old. I played with my friends for the better part of 20 minutes being a little annoyed with my foot but not really noticing. Finally, I thought to take the rock out, grabbed my foot, took off the sandal and saw a giant bee stuck in my foot, half squashed and very angry.
and then the world exploded in pain.
I was fine until I saw the bee, after that, after I knew what it was, it was agony. To this day I swear I could watch my foot swell up as my brain figured out I had been stung. The lesson? I would have been fine had I not known what had happened.
Hence, I am not ever in any rush to head to the doctor.
That said, I figured something had gone wrong and went yesterday. Much to my surprise, my GP knew immediately what was wrong. I was having a drug interaction with my meds, one of which is an ACE inhibitor called Lisinopril. For reasons I can't say I understand, my body was building up an overabundance of a chemical which was causing the cough. He changed my meds, told me to stay off planes for 3 weeks and told me I'd be fine in about 10 days, the length of time it will take to have the drug wash out of my system.
Which means a) it’s all minor with no larger meaning and b) I have to cancel my Japan trip, at least until January.
I have, as usual, been ignoring this.
however, I am annoying enough that the folks around me have noticed and been bugging me to go see someone about it. I was reluctant, in part because of a childhood incident which taught me an important lesson.
When I was a kid, I stepped on a bee. A big, nasty bumblebee with a stinger the size of Ford Falcon. I didn't notice it. Rather, my foot hurt a little and I thought I had a rock in my sandal, which was annoying, but hardly a crisis to a 5 year-old. I played with my friends for the better part of 20 minutes being a little annoyed with my foot but not really noticing. Finally, I thought to take the rock out, grabbed my foot, took off the sandal and saw a giant bee stuck in my foot, half squashed and very angry.
and then the world exploded in pain.
I was fine until I saw the bee, after that, after I knew what it was, it was agony. To this day I swear I could watch my foot swell up as my brain figured out I had been stung. The lesson? I would have been fine had I not known what had happened.
Hence, I am not ever in any rush to head to the doctor.
That said, I figured something had gone wrong and went yesterday. Much to my surprise, my GP knew immediately what was wrong. I was having a drug interaction with my meds, one of which is an ACE inhibitor called Lisinopril. For reasons I can't say I understand, my body was building up an overabundance of a chemical which was causing the cough. He changed my meds, told me to stay off planes for 3 weeks and told me I'd be fine in about 10 days, the length of time it will take to have the drug wash out of my system.
Which means a) it’s all minor with no larger meaning and b) I have to cancel my Japan trip, at least until January.
Baby Gordon
From Susan's brother, Stephen
Pictures of the first 4D ultrasound are at http://eskimo.moink.org (no, we are not thinking of naming her Eskimo)
Warning: pictures are of a naked baby, so may be Not Safe For Work.
Pictures of the first 4D ultrasound are at http://eskimo.moink.org (no, we are not thinking of naming her Eskimo)
Warning: pictures are of a naked baby, so may be Not Safe For Work.
Hitchens is Definately Off My Ramadan Holiday Gift List!
He seems to have made something of an ass of himself:
Later that evening, someone in the FFRF was handing out an open letter to the freethought community, one that protested the inclusion of Hitchens and opposing any future speakers of his sort. I sympathized with the sentiment (and if the writer wants to send me an electronic copy, I'll post it here), but I think it was useful to have Hitchens stand up there and tell us what he thinks — and there was absolutely no reticence in his comments, which I admire. But while I agree with his goal of working towards a rational, secular world, a triumph of enlightenment values, I disagree entirely with his proposed strategy, which seems to involve putting a bullet through every god-haunted brain. To have a clearly stated position to which we can respond with clearly stated opposition is actually a kind of gift.
Hitch has always been a strong supporter of the war, a position I found a little puzzling until now. I guess he is, as one guy put it, "he's a highly entertaining nut job who happens to hold a few views similar to mine"
Later that evening, someone in the FFRF was handing out an open letter to the freethought community, one that protested the inclusion of Hitchens and opposing any future speakers of his sort. I sympathized with the sentiment (and if the writer wants to send me an electronic copy, I'll post it here), but I think it was useful to have Hitchens stand up there and tell us what he thinks — and there was absolutely no reticence in his comments, which I admire. But while I agree with his goal of working towards a rational, secular world, a triumph of enlightenment values, I disagree entirely with his proposed strategy, which seems to involve putting a bullet through every god-haunted brain. To have a clearly stated position to which we can respond with clearly stated opposition is actually a kind of gift.
Hitch has always been a strong supporter of the war, a position I found a little puzzling until now. I guess he is, as one guy put it, "he's a highly entertaining nut job who happens to hold a few views similar to mine"
Don't Date Robots!
Jesus Christo!
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience. Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
Oh, a prediction by a grad student about his thesis topic having worldwide social and moral implications! Whew! I was worried there for a moment.
Still, it does one well to remember this dire lesson: Dont Date Robots!
"My forecast is that around 2050, the state of Massachusetts will be the first jurisdiction to legalize marriages with robots," artificial intelligence researcher David Levy at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands told LiveScience. Levy recently completed his Ph.D. work on the subject of human-robot relationships, covering many of the privileges and practices that generally come with marriage as well as outside of it.
Oh, a prediction by a grad student about his thesis topic having worldwide social and moral implications! Whew! I was worried there for a moment.
Still, it does one well to remember this dire lesson: Dont Date Robots!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Pastafarians v. Senator David Vitter (R-Adultery-Hetro)
We need to teach *all* sides of the story!
Senator David Vitter, R-La, earmarked $100k in a spending bill for a Lousiana Creationist group that has challenged the teaching of Darwinian Evolution in the public school system.
The bill specifies the payment is "to develop a plan to better promote science education."
Clearly, this is important to Pastafarians, because we ALSO have a creation theory that challenges Darwinian Evolution - and our theory is backed by many in the scientific community.
Let's contact Senator Vitter and let him know that the Pastafarian creation theory is the one that should be taught.
You can email Sen. Vitter using this form.Phone:(202) 224-4623Fax: (202) 228-5061
Also in news from the CotFSM:
I’m sorry if Christians find the belief that the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe “lame,” but –correct me if I’m wrong- Christians believe that a cosmic Jewish zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat an apple of discernment from a magical tree. And they think the idea that a decrease in pirates caused global warming is ridiculous?
(here)
Senator David Vitter, R-La, earmarked $100k in a spending bill for a Lousiana Creationist group that has challenged the teaching of Darwinian Evolution in the public school system.
The bill specifies the payment is "to develop a plan to better promote science education."
Clearly, this is important to Pastafarians, because we ALSO have a creation theory that challenges Darwinian Evolution - and our theory is backed by many in the scientific community.
Let's contact Senator Vitter and let him know that the Pastafarian creation theory is the one that should be taught.
You can email Sen. Vitter using this form.Phone:(202) 224-4623Fax: (202) 228-5061
Also in news from the CotFSM:
I’m sorry if Christians find the belief that the Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe “lame,” but –correct me if I’m wrong- Christians believe that a cosmic Jewish zombie can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him that you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat an apple of discernment from a magical tree. And they think the idea that a decrease in pirates caused global warming is ridiculous?
(here)
Left v. Right Brain
Does she spin CW or CCW?
(if she isn't spinning, click on her. there have been some problems with blogger)There is some suggestion that the direction of spin you see tells you which brain hemisphere is dominant. I can see her spin either way, but when I first look I see clockwise. I'm pretty skeptical of the left/right thing since object roation is a full right brain function, i.e. you don't seem to have two seperate centers in your brain for CW and CCW spinning objects, each in a different hemisphere. OTOH, I know almost nothing about actual brain function, so don't listen to me. I'm ambidexterous and my brain dominance was shown to be evenly split in my neuropsych evalstwo years ago, so my perceptions may be unusual with this.
via here, here and here.
Chapter 1
of my book tenatively titled, How to Think for Yourself, is underway. I'll try and get an excerpt up this week. The first chapter is called, Theory v. Doctrine or because I Say So!
I was a little bored on the 20 hour flight home.
I was a little bored on the 20 hour flight home.
Nanny State Powers, ACTIVATE!
Form of, Regulation!
Shape of, a baby!
"Paul arrived in Amsterdam looking forward to a weekend with his friends. Instead, the 24-year-old Australian stayed holed up in his hotel room, too frightened to walk the streets after taking magic mushrooms.
``We had to lock ourselves up in case we would do something crazy,'' said Paul, who asked that his last name not be used because he didn't want acquaintances to know about his drug use. ``There is no way this should be legal.''
..
In Amsterdam, where the fungi are sold in so-called smart shops, local officials agree. The city council last month approved a three-day waiting period to cut down on tourist use. The national government is considering an outright ban after a French teenager leapt to her death in March. Health Minister Ab Klink will release a statement on the hallucinogens this week.
So, you go to a foreign country with more advanced ideas about personal responsibility than your own, get in a bit over your head and, rather than reflect on your own immaturity and lack of growth, you call for the Nanny State to rescue you.
Pathetic.
I'm not a user or fan of most hallucinogens, mostly because my brain gets more than a little weird and I dont enjoy them if they are strong. OTOH, I'm pretty sure it isn't my business if you do enjoy them.
Ugh. I'm starting to sound like Travis.
Shape of, a baby!
"Paul arrived in Amsterdam looking forward to a weekend with his friends. Instead, the 24-year-old Australian stayed holed up in his hotel room, too frightened to walk the streets after taking magic mushrooms.
``We had to lock ourselves up in case we would do something crazy,'' said Paul, who asked that his last name not be used because he didn't want acquaintances to know about his drug use. ``There is no way this should be legal.''
..
In Amsterdam, where the fungi are sold in so-called smart shops, local officials agree. The city council last month approved a three-day waiting period to cut down on tourist use. The national government is considering an outright ban after a French teenager leapt to her death in March. Health Minister Ab Klink will release a statement on the hallucinogens this week.
So, you go to a foreign country with more advanced ideas about personal responsibility than your own, get in a bit over your head and, rather than reflect on your own immaturity and lack of growth, you call for the Nanny State to rescue you.
Pathetic.
I'm not a user or fan of most hallucinogens, mostly because my brain gets more than a little weird and I dont enjoy them if they are strong. OTOH, I'm pretty sure it isn't my business if you do enjoy them.
Ugh. I'm starting to sound like Travis.
Back
FTR I'm back from Barcelona and in Seattle today, hooray! To those of you who were on my case over the last 2 weeks, I am headed to the doctor's tomorrow afternoon. For those of you who have not been on my case, well, thanks! I've had a weird cough for the last 2 months and people have been getting insistent I go get checked out. It's minor, but annoying.
The next leg of my trip is scheduled to start 28 Oct when I head to Tokyo.
The next leg of my trip is scheduled to start 28 Oct when I head to Tokyo.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Oh? Canada!
An idea has been rolling around in my head for a little while, dual citizenship with Canada.
Advantages:
Shorter lines at the international airport
Healthcare for life
A rich cultural heritage including one of the few bloodless revolutions in human history
Being a member of a respected member of the international community again
Legal pot
Avoid voting for either Hillary or Rudy
The French may no longer spit in my food (unless they think I am from Quebec)
Disadvantages:
Taxes
I'll leave this to the readers. Vote in the comments.
Advantages:
Shorter lines at the international airport
Healthcare for life
A rich cultural heritage including one of the few bloodless revolutions in human history
Being a member of a respected member of the international community again
Legal pot
Avoid voting for either Hillary or Rudy
The French may no longer spit in my food (unless they think I am from Quebec)
Disadvantages:
Taxes
I'll leave this to the readers. Vote in the comments.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Bungie
I got this today:
Kicking bungie to the curb just because all the senior management quits enmasse? That's cold, man.
Refering to this, appearently: http://www.gamersyde.com/forum_8_22985_1_en.html
So heres my big secret. You should google Bungie + Microsoft + separation this week.You know that big ol BILLION dollar franchise Bungie has created for Microsoft, to show their appreciate Microsoft is letting Bungie leave. Of course Microsoft gets to keep all rights to the Halo franchise, but as today Bungie no longer part of Microsoft. Ask anyone who works there to search the global address book, they're no longer in there. Microsoft was supposed to release the press release today but if they wait till the 10/6 the impact wont effect the quarterly results. However today is the actual official date and the day the NDAs expire, however you still didn't hear this from me.""Apparently MS just wants Bungie to make Halo for the rest of their natural days, and Bungie doesn't like how MS is constantly trying to "handle" everything they do; the way they market their games, the way they interact with their fans (basically the fact that they do appreciate their fans), and how stingie they are with the profits (comparable to the rest of the industry). So as of today they are their own independent entity. They'll probably make Halo 4 for Microsoft, however hey are also free to create new intellectual properties for whatever system they want. (Even though they prefer the xbox platform)"
I have no idea if it's true, and thought it a mildly interesting rumor. I'm at a a large industry trade show in Boston (hooray!) this week, doing a fair bit of press around our new payments product and offically launching the Capital Markets strategy I've been slaving away on for the past 9 months. Up until now I;ve had a lot of good questions about High Performance Computing and some arcane questions about how to write (and run) parallel code in automated trade alogrithms for buy side firms. Out of the blue I got asked by a reporter (I think for her own curiousity since her publication has nothing to do with the gaming industry).
"Any comment on the Bungie spinout?"
GAK!
I answered simply with, "you obviously know more than I do!"
AFAIK, it's just a rumor. There is no internal info to which I am privvy, but that's par for the course.
Details as events warrent.
gak!
Kicking bungie to the curb just because all the senior management quits enmasse? That's cold, man.
Refering to this, appearently: http://www.gamersyde.com/forum_8_22985_1_en.html
So heres my big secret. You should google Bungie + Microsoft + separation this week.You know that big ol BILLION dollar franchise Bungie has created for Microsoft, to show their appreciate Microsoft is letting Bungie leave. Of course Microsoft gets to keep all rights to the Halo franchise, but as today Bungie no longer part of Microsoft. Ask anyone who works there to search the global address book, they're no longer in there. Microsoft was supposed to release the press release today but if they wait till the 10/6 the impact wont effect the quarterly results. However today is the actual official date and the day the NDAs expire, however you still didn't hear this from me.""Apparently MS just wants Bungie to make Halo for the rest of their natural days, and Bungie doesn't like how MS is constantly trying to "handle" everything they do; the way they market their games, the way they interact with their fans (basically the fact that they do appreciate their fans), and how stingie they are with the profits (comparable to the rest of the industry). So as of today they are their own independent entity. They'll probably make Halo 4 for Microsoft, however hey are also free to create new intellectual properties for whatever system they want. (Even though they prefer the xbox platform)"
I have no idea if it's true, and thought it a mildly interesting rumor. I'm at a a large industry trade show in Boston (hooray!) this week, doing a fair bit of press around our new payments product and offically launching the Capital Markets strategy I've been slaving away on for the past 9 months. Up until now I;ve had a lot of good questions about High Performance Computing and some arcane questions about how to write (and run) parallel code in automated trade alogrithms for buy side firms. Out of the blue I got asked by a reporter (I think for her own curiousity since her publication has nothing to do with the gaming industry).
"Any comment on the Bungie spinout?"
GAK!
I answered simply with, "you obviously know more than I do!"
AFAIK, it's just a rumor. There is no internal info to which I am privvy, but that's par for the course.
Details as events warrent.
gak!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
A Real Conversation with My Son
Geoff: "I'll know! I'll waterboard them!"
Me: "No! You cannot go on Kid Nation and waterboard children!"
Geoff: "Their parents signed a release!"
Geoff: "It'll work for sweeps week"
This isi one of many horrible conversations we have. In an unusal twist, I am the voice of reason.
Me: "No! You cannot go on Kid Nation and waterboard children!"
Geoff: "Their parents signed a release!"
Geoff: "It'll work for sweeps week"
This isi one of many horrible conversations we have. In an unusal twist, I am the voice of reason.
Friday, September 28, 2007
More War!
I suggest reading Glenn Greenwald's column on the Kyl-Lieberman amendment. It's a bit strident, but given that the momentum is strong for creating a war with Iran, I don't think a little hyperole is much of a vice.
In an excellent comment, Thomas C elaborates on Jim Webb's warning about the danger of the Lieberman-Kyl Amendment. Specifically, contrast that Amendment's finding that "Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps" is a "foreign terrorist organization" with the declaration under the 2002 Iraq AUMF that "the President has authority under the Constitution to take action in order to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States," and one could make a strong case that the Senate has just agreed that President Bush has inherent authority -- i.e., authority under the Constitution -- to attack Iran, given that its military unit is a "foreign terrorist organization."
To those handful of folks who came back to me and said I was right about the problems in Iraq, I say this: we will look back wistfully at the sunny summer days when our biggest problem was a needless war with Iraq, if we bomb Iran.
In an excellent comment, Thomas C elaborates on Jim Webb's warning about the danger of the Lieberman-Kyl Amendment. Specifically, contrast that Amendment's finding that "Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps" is a "foreign terrorist organization" with the declaration under the 2002 Iraq AUMF that "the President has authority under the Constitution to take action in order to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States," and one could make a strong case that the Senate has just agreed that President Bush has inherent authority -- i.e., authority under the Constitution -- to attack Iran, given that its military unit is a "foreign terrorist organization."
To those handful of folks who came back to me and said I was right about the problems in Iraq, I say this: we will look back wistfully at the sunny summer days when our biggest problem was a needless war with Iraq, if we bomb Iran.
Non-Verbal Memories
Interesting experiment on evidence of early memory development in 2 year-olds.
I have 2 or 3 very early, non-verbal memories I've managed keep all this time. One from when I was about 9 months old and learning to walk, and one from when I wandered out of the backyard and down the ally behind the house when I was 2. I've got dozens of memories of being 3ish and remember my early childhood pretty well. I still find it odd that most people claim their memories don't start until 4 or 5 and am actively offended when people tell me any earlier memories "can't be real".
I know, for example, that my memory of being 9 months old is real. When I was 18, I (unknowingly) went back to the place the memory formed and immediately recognized the room, the fireplace etc., and had noticed the color of the rug was different. When I asked how long the rug had been there, they said 15 years, but it had been blue (the color I remembered it being) before that. Ergo, it was a real memory.
I have 2 or 3 very early, non-verbal memories I've managed keep all this time. One from when I was about 9 months old and learning to walk, and one from when I wandered out of the backyard and down the ally behind the house when I was 2. I've got dozens of memories of being 3ish and remember my early childhood pretty well. I still find it odd that most people claim their memories don't start until 4 or 5 and am actively offended when people tell me any earlier memories "can't be real".
I know, for example, that my memory of being 9 months old is real. When I was 18, I (unknowingly) went back to the place the memory formed and immediately recognized the room, the fireplace etc., and had noticed the color of the rug was different. When I asked how long the rug had been there, they said 15 years, but it had been blue (the color I remembered it being) before that. Ergo, it was a real memory.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
The Logical Conclusion
A long time reader writes in:
"It stands to reason, though, that once men enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they will be one with God, and will no longer be lonely and in need of mortal companionship"
So, doesn't also stand to reason that in the afterlife men will need to fuck god? Because I don't think that requirement will cease just because they are dead.......
"It stands to reason, though, that once men enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they will be one with God, and will no longer be lonely and in need of mortal companionship"
So, doesn't also stand to reason that in the afterlife men will need to fuck god? Because I don't think that requirement will cease just because they are dead.......
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Women Probably Don't Have Souls!
You read it here first! errr...second...
"The absence of either salvation or condemnation for women finds extensive support in the Word of God." He reported. "Jesus said that the sole reason God created women in the first place was to provide company and service to men (1 Corinthians 11:9), God determined that men would be lonely living alone, so he created women purely to keep men company and serve their needs (Genesis 2:18-22). Women are therefore completely subordinate to men (1 Corinthians 11:3). It stands to reason, though, that once men enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they will be one with God, and will no longer be lonely and in need of mortal companionship. Thus, the reason behind having women will no longer exist. Women, like the members of the animal kingdom, will fall by the wayside."
Pastor Deacon Fred warned the congregation that there was no reason to be alarmed. "Dr. Neiman's conclusions still need to be formalized," he assured. "I am certain that our team of religious experts will find some way around these Scriptures." Some of the women present were visibly shaken by the report. A teary eyed Sister Taffy Crockett said through choked sobs, "I've heard of colored women not having souls... but me? NO! This is outrageous!"
It's nice to know that women are just like the rest of us, not possessed by imaginary ghosts!
BTW, Landover is one of my favorite religious websites.
Take a gander at their mailbag!
"The absence of either salvation or condemnation for women finds extensive support in the Word of God." He reported. "Jesus said that the sole reason God created women in the first place was to provide company and service to men (1 Corinthians 11:9), God determined that men would be lonely living alone, so he created women purely to keep men company and serve their needs (Genesis 2:18-22). Women are therefore completely subordinate to men (1 Corinthians 11:3). It stands to reason, though, that once men enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they will be one with God, and will no longer be lonely and in need of mortal companionship. Thus, the reason behind having women will no longer exist. Women, like the members of the animal kingdom, will fall by the wayside."
Pastor Deacon Fred warned the congregation that there was no reason to be alarmed. "Dr. Neiman's conclusions still need to be formalized," he assured. "I am certain that our team of religious experts will find some way around these Scriptures." Some of the women present were visibly shaken by the report. A teary eyed Sister Taffy Crockett said through choked sobs, "I've heard of colored women not having souls... but me? NO! This is outrageous!"
It's nice to know that women are just like the rest of us, not possessed by imaginary ghosts!
BTW, Landover is one of my favorite religious websites.
Take a gander at their mailbag!
Spoiled
So I bought my cat Bitey some "Sheba" brand cat food as a treat. There used to be three cats in the house, Buster, Sam and Artemis (Bitey), but alas, Sam and Buster got very old and passed away over the summer (I got a rather suspecious look from the folks at the pet morgue when I brought the second one in a few weeks after the first one died. If Artemis snuffs it, I'll have to send her out of state for sure). While she fought constantly with the other two (she fights constantly with *everyone*), she has been a little lonely lately. I thought some high-end cat food might be a treat for her, but she's mostly uninterested. Which is a pity, because it has rich, thick hunks of tender, slow roasted breast meat, soaked in a creamed gravey sauce.
A real pity. It was just sitting there on the plate. Untouched.
Unwanted.
Juicy.
Big Hunks.
Just waiting....
I have to say...
It's fucking delicious!
A real pity. It was just sitting there on the plate. Untouched.
Unwanted.
Juicy.
Big Hunks.
Just waiting....
I have to say...
It's fucking delicious!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Assignment
Geoff gets his assignment from the Army:
"I'm in charge of a platoon"
"Cool! That's awesome! How many people is that?"
"It's like 40 or so."
"So this is combat?"
"It's a tactical UAV platoon"
"UAV? Urban Assult Vehicle?"
"No... Unmanned Arial Vehicle"
"... ... you mean like those things on Stargate? You're sending RC planes through the Stargate? This is a real assignment?"
"No, no Stargate! But yes, UAV Platoon..."
"So wait a minute. You're in charge of 40 RC geeks who fly toy planes around? *This* is what you trained for??? Oh son, I am ...
...
...
I am very happy for you and your friends!"
"NOOOO!!!!"
"I'm in charge of a platoon"
"Cool! That's awesome! How many people is that?"
"It's like 40 or so."
"So this is combat?"
"It's a tactical UAV platoon"
"UAV? Urban Assult Vehicle?"
"No... Unmanned Arial Vehicle"
"... ... you mean like those things on Stargate? You're sending RC planes through the Stargate? This is a real assignment?"
"No, no Stargate! But yes, UAV Platoon..."
"So wait a minute. You're in charge of 40 RC geeks who fly toy planes around? *This* is what you trained for??? Oh son, I am ...
...
...
I am very happy for you and your friends!"
"NOOOO!!!!"
Media Smackdown
The penny may have dropped on the GOP in the media. Pretty much until this point, most GOP talking heads have gotten a free ride on Iraq, issuing their talking points mostly unchallenged, making their points to will hosts etc.
This link goes to an interview on Tucker Carlson's show where an unsuspecting congressperson stumbles into an ambush. From a media training POV, Rep. Blackburn does a terrific job. She stays on point, she keeps trying to bridge back to her talking points and, while she comes off a little smug at the beginning, she does not drop into a defensive crouch when the interview goes off the rails. Host David Shuster plays an old reporters trick on her, asking her the name of the last soldier from her district to die in Iraq, one she should have been prepared for, but she does a professional job of trying to extricate herself.
All in all, a facinating exchange.
This link goes to an interview on Tucker Carlson's show where an unsuspecting congressperson stumbles into an ambush. From a media training POV, Rep. Blackburn does a terrific job. She stays on point, she keeps trying to bridge back to her talking points and, while she comes off a little smug at the beginning, she does not drop into a defensive crouch when the interview goes off the rails. Host David Shuster plays an old reporters trick on her, asking her the name of the last soldier from her district to die in Iraq, one she should have been prepared for, but she does a professional job of trying to extricate herself.
All in all, a facinating exchange.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Noncommutative Frobenius Problem is Solved!
Now how am I going to stay awake at night??
here
Consider the famous "Chicken McNuggets problem": if Chicken McNuggets are sold at McDonald's only in boxes of 6, 9, or 20 McNuggets, what's the largest number of McNuggets you can't buy at McDonald's? The answer happens to be my favorite number, 43. (Why it is my favorite is a story that will have to wait for another day.) Notice that you can buy any number of McNuggets greater than 43.
For example, 44 = 4*6 + 1*20, 45 = 5*9,46 = 1*6 + 2*20, 47 = 3*6 + 1*9 + 1*20,48 = 8*6,49 = 1*9 + 2*20, and any number greater than 49 can be obtained by adding an appropriate multiple of 6 to these.In general, you're given a set S of integers, and you want to know the largest number that cannot be expressed as a non-negative integer linear combination of the elements of S. This is called the Frobenius number because Frobenius is supposed to have mentioned it often during his lectures.
...
Unfortunately, the general problem was proved NP-hard (under Turing reductions) by Ramirez Alfonsin in 1996. Roughly speaking, this means the problem is at least as hard as many classical problems for which we still have no efficient solution, such as the traveling salesman problem.
About 6 years ago, I suggested generalizing this problem from numbers to strings of symbols (sometimes called "words"). This kind of generalization is a typical activity in mathematics and theoretical computer science. You take a well-studied problem over one kind of domain, and see how the problem translates in another. The classical Frobenius problem dealt with positive integers, so we'll replace them with strings. Now S will be a set of strings.
...
here
Consider the famous "Chicken McNuggets problem": if Chicken McNuggets are sold at McDonald's only in boxes of 6, 9, or 20 McNuggets, what's the largest number of McNuggets you can't buy at McDonald's? The answer happens to be my favorite number, 43. (Why it is my favorite is a story that will have to wait for another day.) Notice that you can buy any number of McNuggets greater than 43.
For example, 44 = 4*6 + 1*20, 45 = 5*9,46 = 1*6 + 2*20, 47 = 3*6 + 1*9 + 1*20,48 = 8*6,49 = 1*9 + 2*20, and any number greater than 49 can be obtained by adding an appropriate multiple of 6 to these.In general, you're given a set S of integers, and you want to know the largest number that cannot be expressed as a non-negative integer linear combination of the elements of S. This is called the Frobenius number because Frobenius is supposed to have mentioned it often during his lectures.
...
Unfortunately, the general problem was proved NP-hard (under Turing reductions) by Ramirez Alfonsin in 1996. Roughly speaking, this means the problem is at least as hard as many classical problems for which we still have no efficient solution, such as the traveling salesman problem.
About 6 years ago, I suggested generalizing this problem from numbers to strings of symbols (sometimes called "words"). This kind of generalization is a typical activity in mathematics and theoretical computer science. You take a well-studied problem over one kind of domain, and see how the problem translates in another. The classical Frobenius problem dealt with positive integers, so we'll replace them with strings. Now S will be a set of strings.
...
Sunday, September 23, 2007
No One I Know
The Goons certainly have *someone's* number, but it's no one I know. Good argument for me to get my own though.
"You can't spell 'arguement' without 'gun'"
-Me to my son
"You can't spell 'arguement' without 'gun'"
-Me to my son
Friday, September 21, 2007
"Lightning Rod"
ZAP!
Biker's penis hit by lightning
A Croatian motorbiker's penis was zapped by lightning as he stopped beside the road to take a leak.
Ante Djindjic, 29, from Zagreb, said: "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was taking a leak and the next thing I knew I was in hospital.
"Doctors said the lightning went through my body and because I was wearing rubber boots it earthed itself through my penis."
Djindjic, who suffered light burns to his chest and arms, added: "Thankfully, the doctors said that there would be no lasting effects, and my penis will function normally eventually."
"eventually"
Biker's penis hit by lightning
A Croatian motorbiker's penis was zapped by lightning as he stopped beside the road to take a leak.
Ante Djindjic, 29, from Zagreb, said: "I don't remember what happened. One minute I was taking a leak and the next thing I knew I was in hospital.
"Doctors said the lightning went through my body and because I was wearing rubber boots it earthed itself through my penis."
Djindjic, who suffered light burns to his chest and arms, added: "Thankfully, the doctors said that there would be no lasting effects, and my penis will function normally eventually."
"eventually"
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The McCollough Effect
Weird illusion seemingly based on brain function. I couldn't'get it to work the first time, but I only did the standard 30 seconds or so you do with optical illusions. When I looked at the colored boxes for 4 or 5 minutes it worked perfectly.
(via)
Update: 20 mins later and it still seems to be working, although a little less maybe.
(via)
Update: 20 mins later and it still seems to be working, although a little less maybe.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
It's Tough To Soar Like An Eagle When You Are Surrounded By Turkeys
Wake Up America!! From the WaPo
James Choate came to Washington last night from Birmingham, Ala., joining five friends on a mission to save the lives of American elementary school children.
Choate, who works in an advertising mailhouse back home, flew through scary thunderstorms to attend the Gathering of Eagles, where he and others stood wearing buttons that said "Never Trust Democrats with National Security."
Choate said he and his friend felt compelled to come to Washington because most Americans refused to believe that "the terrorists have got people planted all over the country from Al Queda who are preparing to go on one day into many elementary schools in our country and kill our children. We have this on good authority, we have sources."
Choate said he was disappointed to see how few people turned out to the Gathering of Eagles. "Most of the country doesn't want to believe it, " he said. "Everybody's getting a false feeling of security. Every morning, I wake up and just hope another 9-11 hasn't happened overnight."
Choate said he and his friends, who he called true patriots, are doing their duty to spread the word that "most Muslims are out to kill us or convert us to Islam."
Choate and his friends said the poor turnout was "disturbing," but said they nonetheless were stirred by the support of those who did attend; the group from Birmingham plans to spend the rest of the weekend seeing the sights of the nation's capital .
James Choate came to Washington last night from Birmingham, Ala., joining five friends on a mission to save the lives of American elementary school children.
Choate, who works in an advertising mailhouse back home, flew through scary thunderstorms to attend the Gathering of Eagles, where he and others stood wearing buttons that said "Never Trust Democrats with National Security."
Choate said he and his friend felt compelled to come to Washington because most Americans refused to believe that "the terrorists have got people planted all over the country from Al Queda who are preparing to go on one day into many elementary schools in our country and kill our children. We have this on good authority, we have sources."
Choate said he was disappointed to see how few people turned out to the Gathering of Eagles. "Most of the country doesn't want to believe it, " he said. "Everybody's getting a false feeling of security. Every morning, I wake up and just hope another 9-11 hasn't happened overnight."
Choate said he and his friends, who he called true patriots, are doing their duty to spread the word that "most Muslims are out to kill us or convert us to Islam."
Choate and his friends said the poor turnout was "disturbing," but said they nonetheless were stirred by the support of those who did attend; the group from Birmingham plans to spend the rest of the weekend seeing the sights of the nation's capital .
Friday, September 14, 2007
Emmy
Unbelievable.
Really. I didnt beleive my son when he told me this was an Emmy Award winning video. I'm ... speechless.
Actually, it's kind of catchy...
Really. I didnt beleive my son when he told me this was an Emmy Award winning video. I'm ... speechless.
Actually, it's kind of catchy...
Random Bits of Conversation with my Son
Me: "...thats not a gun, it's a Wand of Ambulance of Summoning!"
Geoff: "+3 vs. trolls, orcs and muggers"
Geoff: "How about the National Terrorism Center?"
Me: "They can't call it that! They'd have to call it the National Counter-Counter Terrorism Center"
Geoff " ...on Fox!"
Me: "Fox is just a base propaganda channel"
Geoff: "Why do you think that?"
Me: "I heard it on the John Stewert"
Geoff: "+3 vs. trolls, orcs and muggers"
Geoff: "How about the National Terrorism Center?"
Me: "They can't call it that! They'd have to call it the National Counter-Counter Terrorism Center"
Geoff " ...on Fox!"
Me: "Fox is just a base propaganda channel"
Geoff: "Why do you think that?"
Me: "I heard it on the John Stewert"
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Kathy Griffith is my New Hero
Wonderful!
In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim, "This award is my god now!"
"Kathy Griffin's offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night," the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said in a statement Monday.
In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim, "This award is my god now!"
"Kathy Griffin's offensive remarks will not be part of the E! telecast on Saturday night," the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said in a statement Monday.
Monday, September 10, 2007
First Pavarotti Joke
Pavarotti arrives at the Pearly Gates and rings the bell
to be let in. St Peter opens up and says, "Oh it's you
Luciano, come on in, squeeze through".
Pavarotti says, "Hold on, I've got an envelope for you,
from the Pope". St Peter opens it up and reads it...
..HERE'S THAT TENOR I OWE YOU'
(say it out loud if you dont get it)
to be let in. St Peter opens up and says, "Oh it's you
Luciano, come on in, squeeze through".
Pavarotti says, "Hold on, I've got an envelope for you,
from the Pope". St Peter opens it up and reads it...
..HERE'S THAT TENOR I OWE YOU'
(say it out loud if you dont get it)
Arecibo to Close??
Sad if true
The National Science Foundation, which has long funded the dish, has told the Cornell University-operated facility that it will have to close if it cannot find outside sources for half of its already reduced $8 million budget in the next three years -- an ultimatum that has sent ripples of despair through the scientific community.
While I strongly agree that we need to do more hard science and I understand that something has to give to fund new projects, it would be a shame to close Arecibo.
The National Science Foundation, which has long funded the dish, has told the Cornell University-operated facility that it will have to close if it cannot find outside sources for half of its already reduced $8 million budget in the next three years -- an ultimatum that has sent ripples of despair through the scientific community.
While I strongly agree that we need to do more hard science and I understand that something has to give to fund new projects, it would be a shame to close Arecibo.
Chaos Hawks
Well said:
Having admitted, however, that the odds of a military success in Iraq are almost impossibly long, Chaos Hawks nonetheless insist that the U.S. military needs to stay in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Why? Because if we leave the entire Middle East will become a bloodbath. Sunni and Shiite will engage in mutual genocide, oil fields will go up in flames, fundamentalist parties will take over, and al-Qaeda will have a safe haven bigger than the entire continent of Europe.
Needless to say, this is nonsense. Israel has fought war after war in the Middle East. Result: no regional conflagration. Iran and Iraq fought one of the bloodiest wars of the second half the 20th century. Result: no regional conflagration. The Soviets fought in Afghanistan and then withdrew. No regional conflagration. The U.S. fought the Gulf War and then left. No regional conflagration. Algeria fought an internal civil war for a decade. No regional conflagration.
Having admitted, however, that the odds of a military success in Iraq are almost impossibly long, Chaos Hawks nonetheless insist that the U.S. military needs to stay in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Why? Because if we leave the entire Middle East will become a bloodbath. Sunni and Shiite will engage in mutual genocide, oil fields will go up in flames, fundamentalist parties will take over, and al-Qaeda will have a safe haven bigger than the entire continent of Europe.
Needless to say, this is nonsense. Israel has fought war after war in the Middle East. Result: no regional conflagration. Iran and Iraq fought one of the bloodiest wars of the second half the 20th century. Result: no regional conflagration. The Soviets fought in Afghanistan and then withdrew. No regional conflagration. The U.S. fought the Gulf War and then left. No regional conflagration. Algeria fought an internal civil war for a decade. No regional conflagration.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Maybe It's My Lack of Imagination
MIT re-invents the billboard with the Hyposurface!
(via)
Reaction to the Hyposurface usually evolves quickly from "What could this be used for?" to "What couldn't this be used for?"
Color me pedestrian but I dont see much here. Sure it's cool and all, but this looks like any number of trade-show gimmicks one can see at Sibos, SIFMA or any other tradeshow where folks have more money than sense.
Like the digital waterfall (here running for Jeep)
(via)
Reaction to the Hyposurface usually evolves quickly from "What could this be used for?" to "What couldn't this be used for?"
Color me pedestrian but I dont see much here. Sure it's cool and all, but this looks like any number of trade-show gimmicks one can see at Sibos, SIFMA or any other tradeshow where folks have more money than sense.
Like the digital waterfall (here running for Jeep)
Friday, September 07, 2007
Security Theater (of the Absurd)
Well done!
Eight ABC cast and crew members and three hired drivers have been charged with entering a restricted area without justification.
The group was arrested after staging a fake motorcade through Sydney's CBD and were stopped near the InterContinental Hotel where US President George W Bush is staying.
One of the Chaser crew was dressed as Osama bin Laden. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australia has spent $A165 million on security for APEC. There have been black hawk helicopters, police and troops and snipers deployed as well as this concrete and 10 foot high wire fence erected that surrounds the CBD of Sydney. It has created absolute havoc with traffic, public transport and people trying to get to work. You can't get over the bridge into the city. An absolute mess, and the folks of Sydney are a bit pissed with it all. But hey, there is this VERY real risk of terrorism we are told ad nauseum, so what the heck. It must all be necessary. It's a bargain for $A165 million, to guarantee our safety.
Then these guys from the ABC comedy show, The Chasers War on Everything, are able to put together a fake Canadian diplomatic motorcade of a limo with 2 escort SUVs with little Canadian flags flapping, and that was good enough to get past $A165 million dollars worth of security planning and three security checkpoints and pull up to the front of the Intercontinental Hotel where President Bush was staying on the 29th floor.
The comedian actor Chas Licciardello, who was dressed and disguised as Osama Bin Laden, popped out of the limo at the hotel and reportedly shouted "Where is my friend Bush? It has all been a misunderstanding!!!" Now the police recognise that something is not quite right and they pounce on the perpetrators, and arrest all involved, 11 in total.
The police officials and Minister of Police and various and sundry other authorities went into major spin damage control, even claiming that the security was good because arrests were made. (email from a reader).
Eight ABC cast and crew members and three hired drivers have been charged with entering a restricted area without justification.
The group was arrested after staging a fake motorcade through Sydney's CBD and were stopped near the InterContinental Hotel where US President George W Bush is staying.
One of the Chaser crew was dressed as Osama bin Laden. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australia has spent $A165 million on security for APEC. There have been black hawk helicopters, police and troops and snipers deployed as well as this concrete and 10 foot high wire fence erected that surrounds the CBD of Sydney. It has created absolute havoc with traffic, public transport and people trying to get to work. You can't get over the bridge into the city. An absolute mess, and the folks of Sydney are a bit pissed with it all. But hey, there is this VERY real risk of terrorism we are told ad nauseum, so what the heck. It must all be necessary. It's a bargain for $A165 million, to guarantee our safety.
Then these guys from the ABC comedy show, The Chasers War on Everything, are able to put together a fake Canadian diplomatic motorcade of a limo with 2 escort SUVs with little Canadian flags flapping, and that was good enough to get past $A165 million dollars worth of security planning and three security checkpoints and pull up to the front of the Intercontinental Hotel where President Bush was staying on the 29th floor.
The comedian actor Chas Licciardello, who was dressed and disguised as Osama Bin Laden, popped out of the limo at the hotel and reportedly shouted "Where is my friend Bush? It has all been a misunderstanding!!!" Now the police recognise that something is not quite right and they pounce on the perpetrators, and arrest all involved, 11 in total.
The police officials and Minister of Police and various and sundry other authorities went into major spin damage control, even claiming that the security was good because arrests were made. (email from a reader).
Why It's Likely I'll Write in Ron Paul for President
From the GOP debate on Wednesday:
MR. HUME: This round of questions is going to be based on a scenario which we think is quite plausible that any of you as president might well end up facing. It concerns Iran, and these are the circumstances.
Its nuclear program has continued to advance. U.N. weapons inspectors have -- are now saying that it appears that Iran is on the verge of being able to produce and may even be producing nuclear weapons. Iran has suspended its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear agency and asked the inspectors to leave the country. Cross-border incidents in Iraq involving elements of the Revolutionary Guard that continue to increase and are a continuing problem for U.S. forces there and for the Iraqis as well. The U.N. Security Council has imposed some economic sanctions on Iran, but has refused to authorize the use of force against that country. In addition, the threats by Iran’s leader against Israel have become more pronounced and more extreme.
What do you do?
Congressman Paul.
REP. PAUL: For one thing, one thing I would remember very clearly is the president doesn’t have the authority to go to war -- (cheers) -- he goes to the Congress.
MR. HUME: What do you do? So what do you do? (Applause.)
REP. PAUL: He goes to the Congress and finds out if there’s any threat to our national security. And thinking back to the 1960s when I was in the Air Force for five years -- and with the Cold War going on, and the Soviets had 40,000, and we stood them down and we didn’t have to have a nuclear confrontation -- I would say that we should go very cautiously. We should back off. We should be talking to Iran right now. We shouldn’t be looking for the opportunity to attack them. They are at the present time, according to the AEIA (sic/IAEA), cooperating, and by the end of the year they’re supposed to be willing to reveal all that they are doing.
So instead of looking for this scenario where it is inevitable that we have to attack, I think we ought to be talking about how do you get along with some people that are deadly like the Soviets and the Chinese and the many others. We don’t have to resort to war every single time there’s a confrontation.
I almost always vote for the person I think should actually be president, regardless of whether or not they are running. In 1996 I wrote in Colin Powell. I broke that rule in 2004 and voted for Kerry because I believed the stakes were too high not to. We could do a lot worse than Ron Paul, and frankly, we have.
MR. HUME: This round of questions is going to be based on a scenario which we think is quite plausible that any of you as president might well end up facing. It concerns Iran, and these are the circumstances.
Its nuclear program has continued to advance. U.N. weapons inspectors have -- are now saying that it appears that Iran is on the verge of being able to produce and may even be producing nuclear weapons. Iran has suspended its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear agency and asked the inspectors to leave the country. Cross-border incidents in Iraq involving elements of the Revolutionary Guard that continue to increase and are a continuing problem for U.S. forces there and for the Iraqis as well. The U.N. Security Council has imposed some economic sanctions on Iran, but has refused to authorize the use of force against that country. In addition, the threats by Iran’s leader against Israel have become more pronounced and more extreme.
What do you do?
Congressman Paul.
REP. PAUL: For one thing, one thing I would remember very clearly is the president doesn’t have the authority to go to war -- (cheers) -- he goes to the Congress.
MR. HUME: What do you do? So what do you do? (Applause.)
REP. PAUL: He goes to the Congress and finds out if there’s any threat to our national security. And thinking back to the 1960s when I was in the Air Force for five years -- and with the Cold War going on, and the Soviets had 40,000, and we stood them down and we didn’t have to have a nuclear confrontation -- I would say that we should go very cautiously. We should back off. We should be talking to Iran right now. We shouldn’t be looking for the opportunity to attack them. They are at the present time, according to the AEIA (sic/IAEA), cooperating, and by the end of the year they’re supposed to be willing to reveal all that they are doing.
So instead of looking for this scenario where it is inevitable that we have to attack, I think we ought to be talking about how do you get along with some people that are deadly like the Soviets and the Chinese and the many others. We don’t have to resort to war every single time there’s a confrontation.
I almost always vote for the person I think should actually be president, regardless of whether or not they are running. In 1996 I wrote in Colin Powell. I broke that rule in 2004 and voted for Kerry because I believed the stakes were too high not to. We could do a lot worse than Ron Paul, and frankly, we have.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Conservapedia *has* to be a Joke...
From the Conservative Alternative to Wiki:
Kangaroos
According to the origins theory model used by young earth creation scientists, modern kangaroos are the descendants of the two founding members of the modern kangaroo baramin that were taken aboard Noah's Ark prior to the Great Flood. It has not yet been determined by baraminologists whether kangaroos form a holobaramin with the wallaby, tree-kangaroo, wallaroo, pademelon and quokka, or if all these species are in fact apobaraminic or polybaraminic.
After the Flood, these kangaroos bred from the Ark passengers migrated to Australia. There is debate whether this migration happened over land[6] with lower sea levels during the post-flood ice age, or before the supercontinent of Pangea broke apart[7], or if they rafted on mats of vegetation torn up by the receding flood waters.[6] The idea that God simply generated kangaroos into existence there is considered by most creation researchers to be contra-Biblical.
Other views on kangaroo origins include the belief of some Australian Aborigines that kangaroos were sung into existence by their ancestors during the "Dreamtime" [8] and the evolutionary view that kangaroos and the other marsupials evolved from a common marsupial ancestor which lived hundreds of millions of years ago.[9]
A majority of biologists regard evolution as the most likely explanation for the origin of species including the kangaroo.
Sweet Jesus
Kangaroos
According to the origins theory model used by young earth creation scientists, modern kangaroos are the descendants of the two founding members of the modern kangaroo baramin that were taken aboard Noah's Ark prior to the Great Flood. It has not yet been determined by baraminologists whether kangaroos form a holobaramin with the wallaby, tree-kangaroo, wallaroo, pademelon and quokka, or if all these species are in fact apobaraminic or polybaraminic.
After the Flood, these kangaroos bred from the Ark passengers migrated to Australia. There is debate whether this migration happened over land[6] with lower sea levels during the post-flood ice age, or before the supercontinent of Pangea broke apart[7], or if they rafted on mats of vegetation torn up by the receding flood waters.[6] The idea that God simply generated kangaroos into existence there is considered by most creation researchers to be contra-Biblical.
Other views on kangaroo origins include the belief of some Australian Aborigines that kangaroos were sung into existence by their ancestors during the "Dreamtime" [8] and the evolutionary view that kangaroos and the other marsupials evolved from a common marsupial ancestor which lived hundreds of millions of years ago.[9]
A majority of biologists regard evolution as the most likely explanation for the origin of species including the kangaroo.
Sweet Jesus
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The Very Axis of Evil
From PZ Myers:
The managing editor of a small town newspaper in Wisconsin, Rose Eddy, is very upset with certain vicious hate groups, so she made up a list for her staff and announced that they will not be accepting ads or information from them, ever. And then she publicized it, declaring her unimpeachable moral probity in the pages of her newspaper. Here's her list of awful, terrible people who must not appear in print:
The Nazi Party. Bad, very bad. I think this one has been condemned by history well enough.
Al Qaeda. A known terrorist organization that wants to destroy America — the very symbol of evil today.
The Ayn Rand Institute. Um, well. OK. They are kind of selfish libertarian creepazoids, who seem to be infamously pretentious … but they don't seem to be quite in the same category as Nazis and fanatical terrorists.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Nazis, Al Qaeda, Ayn Rand, Elvis, and atheists. Ms Rose Eddy has a very peculiar pattern of discrimination, I think. How could she have left off mimes, Amway salesmen, and Paris Hilton?
The managing editor of a small town newspaper in Wisconsin, Rose Eddy, is very upset with certain vicious hate groups, so she made up a list for her staff and announced that they will not be accepting ads or information from them, ever. And then she publicized it, declaring her unimpeachable moral probity in the pages of her newspaper. Here's her list of awful, terrible people who must not appear in print:
The Nazi Party. Bad, very bad. I think this one has been condemned by history well enough.
Al Qaeda. A known terrorist organization that wants to destroy America — the very symbol of evil today.
The Ayn Rand Institute. Um, well. OK. They are kind of selfish libertarian creepazoids, who seem to be infamously pretentious … but they don't seem to be quite in the same category as Nazis and fanatical terrorists.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Nazis, Al Qaeda, Ayn Rand, Elvis, and atheists. Ms Rose Eddy has a very peculiar pattern of discrimination, I think. How could she have left off mimes, Amway salesmen, and Paris Hilton?
Physics and Economics
There is an interesting article over in Slate this week based on this paper mapping economic output networks of nations. The goal is to answer a deceptively simple question, “why are poor nations poor?”. The answer, it seems, is pretty complicated and has more to do with synergistic network effects than it does with basics like natural resources or access to transportation networks (e.g. the sea). Worth a read when you have a chance as it lays out a strategy for building a set of incentives that would move a national economy to a more successful probability space.
That is, if you assume an economy is a sphere…
The physicists' map shows each economy in this network of products, by highlighting the products each country exported. Over time, economies move across the product map as their export mix changes. Rich countries have larger, more diversified economies, and so produce lots of products—especially products close to the densely connected heart of the network. East Asian economies look very different, with a big cluster around textiles and another around electronics manufacturing, and—contrary to the hype—not much activity in the products produced by rich countries. African countries tend to produce a few products with no great similarity to any others.
That could be a big problem. The network maps show that economies tend to develop through closely related products. A country such as Colombia makes products that are well connected on the network, and so there are plenty of opportunities for private firms to move in to, provided other parts of the business climate allow it. But many of South Africa's current exports—diamonds, for example—are not very similar to anything.
That is, if you assume an economy is a sphere…
The physicists' map shows each economy in this network of products, by highlighting the products each country exported. Over time, economies move across the product map as their export mix changes. Rich countries have larger, more diversified economies, and so produce lots of products—especially products close to the densely connected heart of the network. East Asian economies look very different, with a big cluster around textiles and another around electronics manufacturing, and—contrary to the hype—not much activity in the products produced by rich countries. African countries tend to produce a few products with no great similarity to any others.
That could be a big problem. The network maps show that economies tend to develop through closely related products. A country such as Colombia makes products that are well connected on the network, and so there are plenty of opportunities for private firms to move in to, provided other parts of the business climate allow it. But many of South Africa's current exports—diamonds, for example—are not very similar to anything.
At Work
A conversation:
Brian Jackson [11:34 AM]:
we should expand the alphabet to ensure that all TLAs are unique
Mark Horvath [11:34 AM]:
then makes words out of the letters
it would be a TLAacaust
Brian Jackson [11:34 AM]:
we should expand the alphabet to ensure that all TLAs are unique
Mark Horvath [11:34 AM]:
then makes words out of the letters
it would be a TLAacaust
Other Heroes News
A New Trailer and a New Interview(Spoilers).
The Flying Petrelli Brothers and, unfortunately, about Syler seem to be regulars now.
The Flying Petrelli Brothers and, unfortunately, about Syler seem to be regulars now.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Am Excellent Review of the New (and last) Harry Potter Book
Though the book's low print run makes it obscure and hard to find, you might be able to track down a copy at your local bookstore, if you search hard and check that it hasn't fallen behind works by more successful authors.
here. Spoiler light and I agree with the jist of it.
here. Spoiler light and I agree with the jist of it.
Where the Dinosaurs Went
A strange and somewhat mystifying blend of fiction, some facts, more fiction and enough illogic to make Spock bleed from the ears.
Of course, it's a Genuine Chick Track!
Of course, it's a Genuine Chick Track!
Getting Frugal with the Sun
How long is the Sun going to last? According to our best understanding of astrophysics today, the total lifespan should be around 12 billion years, of which we have arrived at about the halfway point.
But what if we built a Dyson sphere? Could we extend the life of the Sun indefinately? One astronomer thinks so:
So just how much energy is available? If all the Sun’s mass converted to energy at current output it would last 14.5 trillion years. But it’s a giant fusion reactor instead. Proton-proton fusion, and associated reactions, convert 0.7% of the mass into energy. As the Sun is currently 74% hydrogen, proton-proton fusion would last 75 billion years using all the hydrogen. If we ignited helium fusion after that we might get another 30 billion years.
Some of the energy involved in the Sun’s evolution is from gravitational collapse. About half the Sun’s mass will collapse into a white dwarf liberating a few billion years worth. If the Sun could be collapsed further then even more would be liberated. The absolute limit is, of course, when the Schwarzschild radius is reached and we’ve made a black hole. If we collapsed the Sun into a quark-star just 6 km in radius we might extra a few trillion years of energy out of it.
Via reverse baryogenesis we might then extract all the mass-energy out of the remaining quark mass, thus getting the full 14.5 trillion years. All up we might extract 20 trillion years out of the Sun. But what happens then?
It's an interesting article, here.
The exactly, polar opposite is here.
But what if we built a Dyson sphere? Could we extend the life of the Sun indefinately? One astronomer thinks so:
So just how much energy is available? If all the Sun’s mass converted to energy at current output it would last 14.5 trillion years. But it’s a giant fusion reactor instead. Proton-proton fusion, and associated reactions, convert 0.7% of the mass into energy. As the Sun is currently 74% hydrogen, proton-proton fusion would last 75 billion years using all the hydrogen. If we ignited helium fusion after that we might get another 30 billion years.
Some of the energy involved in the Sun’s evolution is from gravitational collapse. About half the Sun’s mass will collapse into a white dwarf liberating a few billion years worth. If the Sun could be collapsed further then even more would be liberated. The absolute limit is, of course, when the Schwarzschild radius is reached and we’ve made a black hole. If we collapsed the Sun into a quark-star just 6 km in radius we might extra a few trillion years of energy out of it.
Via reverse baryogenesis we might then extract all the mass-energy out of the remaining quark mass, thus getting the full 14.5 trillion years. All up we might extract 20 trillion years out of the Sun. But what happens then?
It's an interesting article, here.
The exactly, polar opposite is here.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Well Said
This pretty much sums up my view, although I tend to be a bit harsher.
I have never believed that the American people are unwilling to take casualties in war. I do think that they are unwilling to take casualties in a war they do not believe is justified, or that is being badly run. And who can blame them?
...
To my mind, our prosecution of the war in Iraq has been only slightly less incompetent than that. George W. Bush is not so childish that he thinks that you can kill people by pointing your finger at them and saying "BANG!" But he is childish enough to think that looking tough is a substitute for serious thought and careful planning; that striking an attitude is all you need to do to get what you want.
I have never believed that the American people are unwilling to take casualties in war. I do think that they are unwilling to take casualties in a war they do not believe is justified, or that is being badly run. And who can blame them?
...
To my mind, our prosecution of the war in Iraq has been only slightly less incompetent than that. George W. Bush is not so childish that he thinks that you can kill people by pointing your finger at them and saying "BANG!" But he is childish enough to think that looking tough is a substitute for serious thought and careful planning; that striking an attitude is all you need to do to get what you want.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Showing the People our Balls
The U.S. military said Monday it regretted any offense it may have caused by giving out a soccer ball with the word Allah written on it as part of a public relations exercise in Afghanistan.
At least one of several balls dropped by helicopter to children in eastern Khost province had a small picture of the Saudi Arabian flag. The flag features in Arabic script the Islamic declaration of faith, which contains the words Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Villagers were “upset and angry” when they saw the ball, said Khost Gov. Arsalah Jamal.
“They wanted to demonstrate, but we explained to them it was a mistake,” he said.
Muslims treat with the utmost respect any printed matter containing verses of the Koran or the name of Allah or his prophet on it. Most would find the idea of kicking a ball emblazoned with those two names as deeply offensive.
here
Even I know better than to do this. Every time I look at the way the wars are being run, I keep asking myself, "just how many clowns are going to get out of this car?"
At least one of several balls dropped by helicopter to children in eastern Khost province had a small picture of the Saudi Arabian flag. The flag features in Arabic script the Islamic declaration of faith, which contains the words Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Villagers were “upset and angry” when they saw the ball, said Khost Gov. Arsalah Jamal.
“They wanted to demonstrate, but we explained to them it was a mistake,” he said.
Muslims treat with the utmost respect any printed matter containing verses of the Koran or the name of Allah or his prophet on it. Most would find the idea of kicking a ball emblazoned with those two names as deeply offensive.
here
Even I know better than to do this. Every time I look at the way the wars are being run, I keep asking myself, "just how many clowns are going to get out of this car?"
Ask Miss South Carolina!
This is what happens when media training goes wrong.
In her defense, I can tell she's trying in her own way to bring the answer back to her talking points, which seem to have something to do with the poor, Iraq, South Africa and lip gloss.
(via)
Monday, August 27, 2007
Her Name was Bertha, Bertha Butt, one of the Butt sisters
a blast from the past. More specifically, a song from 1972 or so:
"Troglodyte"
(As recorded by Jimmy Castor Bunch)
JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH
What we're gonna do right here is go back
Way back into time
When the only people that existed were Troglodytes
Cave men, cave woman, Neadrothol, Troglodytes
Imagine the average cave man at home
Listening to his stereo
Sometimes he'd get up and dance
He'd move something like this "dance dance"
He'd get tired of dancing alone and look in the mirror
And say "gotta find a woman"
"Gotta find a woman, gotta find a woman, gotta find a woman"
Then he'd go down to the lake where all the girls
Would be swimming or washing clothes or something
And he'd grab one by the hair
You can't do that today fellas
'Cause it might come off
You have a hand full of hair
And she'd be swimming away from you
This was a big woman, big
Her name was Bertha, Bertha Butt -- one of the Butt sisters
She looked down on him
And started to crush him
Then she began to play him
He looked up at her and said "sock it to me"
"Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me"
She looked down on him
And said "I'll sock it to you daddy"
And you know what he said
He started it all way back then
I ain't gonna lie to you
He said "right on, right on"
Hot pants, hot pants
Uh uh uh.
(c) Copyright 1972 by Jimpire Music.- HIT PARADER, October 1972
"Troglodyte"
(As recorded by Jimmy Castor Bunch)
JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH
What we're gonna do right here is go back
Way back into time
When the only people that existed were Troglodytes
Cave men, cave woman, Neadrothol, Troglodytes
Imagine the average cave man at home
Listening to his stereo
Sometimes he'd get up and dance
He'd move something like this "dance dance"
He'd get tired of dancing alone and look in the mirror
And say "gotta find a woman"
"Gotta find a woman, gotta find a woman, gotta find a woman"
Then he'd go down to the lake where all the girls
Would be swimming or washing clothes or something
And he'd grab one by the hair
You can't do that today fellas
'Cause it might come off
You have a hand full of hair
And she'd be swimming away from you
This was a big woman, big
Her name was Bertha, Bertha Butt -- one of the Butt sisters
She looked down on him
And started to crush him
Then she began to play him
He looked up at her and said "sock it to me"
"Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me"
She looked down on him
And said "I'll sock it to you daddy"
And you know what he said
He started it all way back then
I ain't gonna lie to you
He said "right on, right on"
Hot pants, hot pants
Uh uh uh.
(c) Copyright 1972 by Jimpire Music.- HIT PARADER, October 1972
Bill Nye Will Be Joining Us in Hell
Oh Bill, you damned, damned scientific you,
Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.
As even most elementary-school graduates know, the moon reflects the light of the sun but produces no light of its own.
But don't tell that to the good people of Waco, who were "visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence," according to the Waco Tribune.
Nye was in town to participate in McLennan Community College's Distinguished Lecture Series. He gave two lectures on such unfunny and adult topics as global warming, Mars exploration, and energy consumption.
But nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
"The lesser light, he pointed out, is not a light at all, but only a reflector.
At this point, several people in the audience stormed out in fury. One woman yelled "We believe in God!" and left with three children, thus ensuring that people across America would read about the incident and conclude that Waco is as nutty as they'd always suspected.
This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment.http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/04/06/04062006wacbillnye.html
Bill Nye, the harmless children's edu-tainer known as "The Science Guy," managed to offend a select group of adults in Waco, Texas at a presentation, when he suggested that the moon does not emit light, but instead reflects the light of the sun.
As even most elementary-school graduates know, the moon reflects the light of the sun but produces no light of its own.
But don't tell that to the good people of Waco, who were "visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence," according to the Waco Tribune.
Nye was in town to participate in McLennan Community College's Distinguished Lecture Series. He gave two lectures on such unfunny and adult topics as global warming, Mars exploration, and energy consumption.
But nothing got people as riled as when he brought up Genesis 1:16, which reads: "God made two great lights -- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
"The lesser light, he pointed out, is not a light at all, but only a reflector.
At this point, several people in the audience stormed out in fury. One woman yelled "We believe in God!" and left with three children, thus ensuring that people across America would read about the incident and conclude that Waco is as nutty as they'd always suspected.
This story originally appeared in the Waco Tribune, but the newspaper has mysteriously pulled its story from the online version, presumably to avoid further embarassment.http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/04/06/04062006wacbillnye.html
Bedtime for Gonzo
I had wondered why the Senate had given in on the President's unconstitutional wiretapping program, even if only for the next six months. I had half-suspected that Bush had given them Gonzales because, pretty much, that would be the only horse worth trading. It seems that intuition was astute and I should have listened to it more carefully.
Now it gets very interesting. I wonder if part of the deal was an agreement from the Senate to confirm Bush's next choice. Seems likely as Gonzales, and his refusal to prosecute contempt of congress charges, was the only thing standing between the President and any real oversight. Assuming Congress does it job, it's now possible to get Rove up on the hill. Also, props to the White House for a) releasing this on a Monday to avoid the Sunday news shows and b) doing this on the weekend before Labor Day. Should be interesting.
Also, on another note, I'm back from 2 weeks of moving, travel and general tomfoolery.
Now it gets very interesting. I wonder if part of the deal was an agreement from the Senate to confirm Bush's next choice. Seems likely as Gonzales, and his refusal to prosecute contempt of congress charges, was the only thing standing between the President and any real oversight. Assuming Congress does it job, it's now possible to get Rove up on the hill. Also, props to the White House for a) releasing this on a Monday to avoid the Sunday news shows and b) doing this on the weekend before Labor Day. Should be interesting.
Also, on another note, I'm back from 2 weeks of moving, travel and general tomfoolery.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Employee Evaluations
I once wrote the shortest, cruelest, employee evaluation ever. It was for an older employee who was trying to "break into" the software programming business at age 60. After a year of futile attempts to write programs, he came up for evaluation. The sum total of my comments follows, verbatim:
D.N.R.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:50 PM
Subject: FW: Evals
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:56:49 -0700F
These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee >performance>evaluations...
1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has>started to dig."
>>2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."
>>3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be."
>>4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a>trap."
>>5. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
>>6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
>>7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve>them."
>>8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
>>9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better."
>>10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all tog>ether."
>>11. "A gross ignoramus -- 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."
>>12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
>>13. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."
>>14. "Takes him 2 hours to watch '60-minutes'."
>>15. "He's been working with glue too much."
>>16. "He would argue with a sign post."
>>17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
>>18. "One neuron short of a synapse."
>>19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."
>>20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on."
>>21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection."
>>22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."
>>23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."
>>24. "He's got two brains cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."
>>25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."
>>26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get c hange.">
>27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."
>>28. "It's hard to believe he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm."
>>29. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
>>30. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."
D.N.R.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 7:50 PM
Subject: FW: Evals
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:56:49 -0700F
These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee >performance>evaluations...
1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has>started to dig."
>>2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."
>>3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be."
>>4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a>trap."
>>5. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
>>6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
>>7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve>them."
>>8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
>>9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better."
>>10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all tog>ether."
>>11. "A gross ignoramus -- 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."
>>12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
>>13. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."
>>14. "Takes him 2 hours to watch '60-minutes'."
>>15. "He's been working with glue too much."
>>16. "He would argue with a sign post."
>>17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
>>18. "One neuron short of a synapse."
>>19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."
>>20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on."
>>21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection."
>>22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."
>>23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."
>>24. "He's got two brains cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."
>>25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."
>>26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get c hange.">
>27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."
>>28. "It's hard to believe he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm."
>>29. "When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
>>30. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."
Friday, August 17, 2007
Second Life Homes
The NYT takes up Second Life home design. Personally, thats why I particiapte in SL at all. I enjoy building, designing and selling homes and, frankly, I dont have enough liquid cash in RL to take the exposure you have when working with real homes. I have made a minor business out of buying, improving and selling properties, just profitable enough for me to build the next one.
It's nice to finally have a hobby that doesn't involve counting aces and 10s.
It's nice to finally have a hobby that doesn't involve counting aces and 10s.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee that thine energy is as thine mass times the speed of light multiplied unto itself."
... things Jesus should have said if he wanted me to believe.
This is an excellent essay, pointed out to me by another Pastafarin, Brian.
Interestingly, the theist response is completely based on the logic of proving negatives, e.g. prove Jesus didn't exist, prove all religions are false etc.
This is an excellent essay, pointed out to me by another Pastafarin, Brian.
Interestingly, the theist response is completely based on the logic of proving negatives, e.g. prove Jesus didn't exist, prove all religions are false etc.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Fun with Wiki!
From the always wonderful, Wonkette!
...some rakish Wikipedia vandal erases the entire entry for Harry Potter and replaces it with “Snape is the half-blood prince and kills Dumbledore.” This hilarious prankster’s IP address was logged, as in all Wikipedia edits, and it turns out it came from the Republican Party of Minnesota. This is just one of the many little treats revealed by a new site that lists all edits made by any organization you can think of whose offices have internet access. Wired is tracking the better ones, and here are some of our favorites...
Wired's list here
I have to admit, it 's a little more bi-partisan than I thougth it would be.
...some rakish Wikipedia vandal erases the entire entry for Harry Potter and replaces it with “Snape is the half-blood prince and kills Dumbledore.” This hilarious prankster’s IP address was logged, as in all Wikipedia edits, and it turns out it came from the Republican Party of Minnesota. This is just one of the many little treats revealed by a new site that lists all edits made by any organization you can think of whose offices have internet access. Wired is tracking the better ones, and here are some of our favorites...
Wired's list here
I have to admit, it 's a little more bi-partisan than I thougth it would be.
The Same Color Illusion
A little mind-blowing...
In case you were wondering, one of the guys at work shows they are, in fact, the same.
wiggy!
In case you were wondering, one of the guys at work shows they are, in fact, the same.
wiggy!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Moved
I finally completed my move this weekend, collecting all the stuff I've had in various forms of storage for the past 18-60 months, and putting it in one condo. It's a very nice 1200, penthouse in Belltown, exactly 12 feet above the apartment Microsoft corporate housing had placed me in.
I've started to purge stuff, but I have found all sorts of unexpected surprises including:
My old Astronomy 101/201 lectures (still good!)
Old photos from different phases of my life
A whole cache of Geoff's baby pictures (birth -> 8 years old)
An unopened box (still sealed in myler) of 3rd Issue Magic the Gathering cards (circa 1994)
A whole cache of old MtG decks I had built.
A full set of calaphon cookware
Old art I made at the beginning of my art career.
A custom tailored, blue sport coat I had made in 1995 (not even close to fitting but I did salvage the gold buttons)
A bunch of King Richard's Faire stuff I bought in the mid-90s, including an elvish looking wool cloak (itchy), a pirate shirt (moth eaten), a vest (colorful but now ill fitting), and an elf-hat.
Tax returns galore!
An old Galactic Cannibles T-Shirt from my grad-school softball team.
Diplomas from Penn State (B.S. Astronomy) and Seoul National University (Ph.D. in Mathematics)
Stock Certificates from Kurzweil AI, CertCo and Lernout and Hauspie (all defunct).
My original offer letter from the University of Massachusettes.
Pictures of various New Years Eve and Superbowl Parties from when I lived on Ringgold Street.
An unopened card from my mother dating back to the late 90's
Pictures of my Grandfather (now deceased 20 years).
Pictures of the $10,100 home my then sister-in-law purchased for our small family in Altoona.
My stone from Old Main at Penn State (chipped out of the foundation of the building during a drunken binge in 1985, this thing weighs 30 lbs if an ounce).
My ancient Bose speakers.
Insulin with an expiration date of Nov. 1988
A picture of me from my brief (2 session) modeling career at UMass.
Old computer programs from the VAX.
Ugly, ugly shirts from a time in my life when I had even *less* style than I do now.
A box of Christmas Presents for my sister I never sent (they are from Tiffany's and I'm going to send them this weekend).
more as boxes get unpacked...
I've started to purge stuff, but I have found all sorts of unexpected surprises including:
My old Astronomy 101/201 lectures (still good!)
Old photos from different phases of my life
A whole cache of Geoff's baby pictures (birth -> 8 years old)
An unopened box (still sealed in myler) of 3rd Issue Magic the Gathering cards (circa 1994)
A whole cache of old MtG decks I had built.
A full set of calaphon cookware
Old art I made at the beginning of my art career.
A custom tailored, blue sport coat I had made in 1995 (not even close to fitting but I did salvage the gold buttons)
A bunch of King Richard's Faire stuff I bought in the mid-90s, including an elvish looking wool cloak (itchy), a pirate shirt (moth eaten), a vest (colorful but now ill fitting), and an elf-hat.
Tax returns galore!
An old Galactic Cannibles T-Shirt from my grad-school softball team.
Diplomas from Penn State (B.S. Astronomy) and Seoul National University (Ph.D. in Mathematics)
Stock Certificates from Kurzweil AI, CertCo and Lernout and Hauspie (all defunct).
My original offer letter from the University of Massachusettes.
Pictures of various New Years Eve and Superbowl Parties from when I lived on Ringgold Street.
An unopened card from my mother dating back to the late 90's
Pictures of my Grandfather (now deceased 20 years).
Pictures of the $10,100 home my then sister-in-law purchased for our small family in Altoona.
My stone from Old Main at Penn State (chipped out of the foundation of the building during a drunken binge in 1985, this thing weighs 30 lbs if an ounce).
My ancient Bose speakers.
Insulin with an expiration date of Nov. 1988
A picture of me from my brief (2 session) modeling career at UMass.
Old computer programs from the VAX.
Ugly, ugly shirts from a time in my life when I had even *less* style than I do now.
A box of Christmas Presents for my sister I never sent (they are from Tiffany's and I'm going to send them this weekend).
more as boxes get unpacked...
And He Build a Crooked House
For those few of you who a) aren't furries but b) have a passing interest in Second Life, I have finally designed and built a house from the ground up.
Kings Bishop (80,80)
Also, I am selling non-existant land for non-existant Linden Dollars and make a real US$ profit:
Bundz (224,96)
Kings Bishop (80,80)
Also, I am selling non-existant land for non-existant Linden Dollars and make a real US$ profit:
Bundz (224,96)
Warrior Forge
I picked him up at Fort Lewis on Friday. He did well, is in good shape and pretty excited about his future career. They must have exhausted him because he slept for 5 hours once I got him home, despite the hub-bub of moving. He's also told me he slept 15 hours the first night back.
He left me a cache of all his pictures from the camp, which I'll post up or host this evening. (unless he beats me too it).
All in all, it was pretty good. I have to admit, I thought it was a bit of a rubber stamp, but cadets were dropped as late as the day before graduation. He told me the tale of "Scrunchy" a "guy in his troop who had been enlisted in another branch before and was being a jerk to his teammates the whole time. He failed Land Navigation four times and was on his final attempt the day before graduation. He was lost, naturally, and asked another cadet (to whom he was a jerk) for help and was refused. "Please, you gotta help! If I fail out, I'll have to go live with my Mom!" Poor Scrunchy.
Their training also included "cultural awareness" which caused me to raise an eyebrow. He explained,
Geoff: "Well, they had to after what happened last year. See, we do these role play exercises where privates and other enlisted pretend to be civilians in villages. We are given a mission, say, capture a terrorist, and we have to work with the "civilians" to achieve the objective. There are a lot of variables and so sometimes the missions change mid-way through, and the privates are generally jerks to us, so they love it.
Apparently last year one of the cadets was a little too "gung ho" with one of the sessions. A private was playing the part of a village elder and the cadet was supposed to persuade him into giving up some information on the position of some insurgents. The cadet was rude and obnoxious so the private wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to know. The cadet solved the problem by putting a bag over his head and mock-executing him!"
Me: "wow!"
Geoff: "The cadet was expelled and off the base in under two hours, which is pretty impressive since they were deep in the wilderness."
Me:"hahahahaha"
Geoff: "And now we have to have cultural awareness training instead of hand grenade training"
Me: "actually, it's the same. These are just verbal grenades"
Also, his camp was called "Warrior Forge" which made me think of something Klingon. Geoff noted that this was the latest in a string of continually improving names.
Geoff: "It started as Summer Camp"
Me: "Where you made wallets?"
Geoff: "Exactly! so they improved the name in the '90s"
Me: "Kamp Krusty?"
Geoff: "no, to Adventure Camp"
Me: "hahahahahahahahahahaha sounds like it ought to have a water slide and a man in a Batman costume"
Geoff: "So you see, Warrior Forge is actually a huge improvement..."
He left me a cache of all his pictures from the camp, which I'll post up or host this evening. (unless he beats me too it).
All in all, it was pretty good. I have to admit, I thought it was a bit of a rubber stamp, but cadets were dropped as late as the day before graduation. He told me the tale of "Scrunchy" a "guy in his troop who had been enlisted in another branch before and was being a jerk to his teammates the whole time. He failed Land Navigation four times and was on his final attempt the day before graduation. He was lost, naturally, and asked another cadet (to whom he was a jerk) for help and was refused. "Please, you gotta help! If I fail out, I'll have to go live with my Mom!" Poor Scrunchy.
Their training also included "cultural awareness" which caused me to raise an eyebrow. He explained,
Geoff: "Well, they had to after what happened last year. See, we do these role play exercises where privates and other enlisted pretend to be civilians in villages. We are given a mission, say, capture a terrorist, and we have to work with the "civilians" to achieve the objective. There are a lot of variables and so sometimes the missions change mid-way through, and the privates are generally jerks to us, so they love it.
Apparently last year one of the cadets was a little too "gung ho" with one of the sessions. A private was playing the part of a village elder and the cadet was supposed to persuade him into giving up some information on the position of some insurgents. The cadet was rude and obnoxious so the private wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to know. The cadet solved the problem by putting a bag over his head and mock-executing him!"
Me: "wow!"
Geoff: "The cadet was expelled and off the base in under two hours, which is pretty impressive since they were deep in the wilderness."
Me:"hahahahaha"
Geoff: "And now we have to have cultural awareness training instead of hand grenade training"
Me: "actually, it's the same. These are just verbal grenades"
Also, his camp was called "Warrior Forge" which made me think of something Klingon. Geoff noted that this was the latest in a string of continually improving names.
Geoff: "It started as Summer Camp"
Me: "Where you made wallets?"
Geoff: "Exactly! so they improved the name in the '90s"
Me: "Kamp Krusty?"
Geoff: "no, to Adventure Camp"
Me: "hahahahahahahahahahaha sounds like it ought to have a water slide and a man in a Batman costume"
Geoff: "So you see, Warrior Forge is actually a huge improvement..."
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Quiz Time
First, I took this:
Not surprising, I thougth it would come out about there
Then this:
I think the test is a mess. I could only find one thing I agreed with and then only in part. If those statements are representive of the true state of the GOP, they are dead already.
And this:
This was almost completely a set of questions about personal choice, and I beleive the more more choice the better. That it applied to women was incidental to my answers.
I'm not sure that qualifies me as a "feminist" as much as it would a "libertarian".
Then this!
I like cooking! It's like chemistry you can eat afterwards. Safely. Without bugs crawlign under your skin. Usually.
(via)
| You Are 52% Democrat |
 You aren't a full fledged Democrat yet, but it's likely the party that fits you best. You probably consider yourself an independent Democrat. You usually support the party, but you also think for yourself! |
Not surprising, I thougth it would come out about there
Then this:
You Are 4% Republican |
 If you have anything in common with the Republican party, it's by sheer chance. You're a staunch liberal, and nothing is going to change that! |
I think the test is a mess. I could only find one thing I agreed with and then only in part. If those statements are representive of the true state of the GOP, they are dead already.
And this:
| You Are 91% Feminist |
 You are a total feminist. This doesn't mean you're a man hater (in fact, you may be a man). You just think that men and women should be treated equally. It's a simple idea but somehow complicated for the world to put into action. |
This was almost completely a set of questions about personal choice, and I beleive the more more choice the better. That it applied to women was incidental to my answers.
I'm not sure that qualifies me as a "feminist" as much as it would a "libertarian".
Then this!
| You Are a Learning Cook |
 You've got the makings of an excellent cook, and the desire to be one. But right now, you're just lacking the experience. You couldn't be a top chef yet, but you could be an apprentice. |
I like cooking! It's like chemistry you can eat afterwards. Safely. Without bugs crawlign under your skin. Usually.
(via)
Progress in the Containment of Anti-Matter
Cool!
HiPAT is part of the incremental work that needs doing as we build the capacity to create more antimatter and store it efficiently. But there are other storage approaches, as exemplified by the work of Japanese researcher Masaki Hori. Currently working at the Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hori wants to change the paradigm by using radio frequency waves rather than magnetic fields to store anti-protons. He calls his device a ’superconducting radiofrequency quadrupole trap.’ and thinks it can offer antimatter storage in a device the size of an office wastebasket. His next move is to go to work on what’s in it.
HiPAT is part of the incremental work that needs doing as we build the capacity to create more antimatter and store it efficiently. But there are other storage approaches, as exemplified by the work of Japanese researcher Masaki Hori. Currently working at the Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics, Hori wants to change the paradigm by using radio frequency waves rather than magnetic fields to store anti-protons. He calls his device a ’superconducting radiofrequency quadrupole trap.’ and thinks it can offer antimatter storage in a device the size of an office wastebasket. His next move is to go to work on what’s in it.
Also in Second Life News
I was on vacation all last week and had some time for a project I wanted to do. I've had a design for a house kicking around in the back of my head for awhile now, so I bought some land in a nice region of SL and built it from scratch. Check it out if you ever go into SL
Kings Bishop 64,80
Kings Bishop 64,80
The Bank Run
Wonkette has the goods on the current financial crisis in Second Life:
The current crisis revolves around Ginko Financial, a Second Life bank that was offering ludicrously high interest rates. Ginko, which is actually based in real-life Brazil, somehow, now apparently can’t just print more Second Life funny money to pay off the debts, so there’s danger of a big panic. Think of the run on the bank scene in It’s A Wonderful Life, except instead of heartfelt speeches and ordinary Americans worried about their life savings, there are big-breasted furries and forty-foot-long penises.
As panic spreads throughout the user base of the phony baloney video game/virtual porn dungeon, expect to see the John Edwards Second Life campaign headquarters torn apart by a desperate mob, its constituent pixels used to buy virtual food and huge flying turds for a terrified populace.
The current crisis revolves around Ginko Financial, a Second Life bank that was offering ludicrously high interest rates. Ginko, which is actually based in real-life Brazil, somehow, now apparently can’t just print more Second Life funny money to pay off the debts, so there’s danger of a big panic. Think of the run on the bank scene in It’s A Wonderful Life, except instead of heartfelt speeches and ordinary Americans worried about their life savings, there are big-breasted furries and forty-foot-long penises.
As panic spreads throughout the user base of the phony baloney video game/virtual porn dungeon, expect to see the John Edwards Second Life campaign headquarters torn apart by a desperate mob, its constituent pixels used to buy virtual food and huge flying turds for a terrified populace.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Department of I-Swear-I-Am-Not-Making-This-Up
what I have wanted since I was 12 years old... a Vomit Ray!!
The plan is that riot-boffins from Pennsylvania State University's Institute of Nonlethal Defense Technology, will try the vomit-dazzle beam out on volunteers this autumn. Hopefully they'll do it on a tiled floor, or put down some plastic sheet or something.
"There's one wavelength that gets everybody," chortled Lieberman, worryingly. "Vlad calls it the evil color."
Good old Vlad. What a card.
I will pay *any* amount of money for this.
*any*
The plan is that riot-boffins from Pennsylvania State University's Institute of Nonlethal Defense Technology, will try the vomit-dazzle beam out on volunteers this autumn. Hopefully they'll do it on a tiled floor, or put down some plastic sheet or something.
"There's one wavelength that gets everybody," chortled Lieberman, worryingly. "Vlad calls it the evil color."
Good old Vlad. What a card.
I will pay *any* amount of money for this.
*any*
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