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Collapse, the book
Feb. 23rd, 2007 12:09 amWe had an opportunity to see Jared Diamond (of Guns, Germs & Steel and Collapse) speak today. He is very clearly a professor (40 years at UCLA), in his manner of speaking as well as his manner of avoiding answering questions. The speech was interesting and thought provoking. I'll try to do a decent write-up later. For now, the two notes he left us with are: (1) the biggest benefit to globalization is that we can learn what works by observing other cultures that fail(ed) or succeed(ed), regardless of their remoteness in space and/or time; and (2) one of the biggest differentiators between governments that make good decisions and bad is the remoteness or distance between the decision makers & the people affected by those decisions.
We avoid V-day, or VD, like the commercially driven plague that it is. But these Valentines from Misia were just too cool not to share. To quote her, if you find one you like, it is yours. If you find one you think might've been written just for you, well, maybe it was, you never know.
Very cute random time waster
Feb. 10th, 2007 03:54 amYou can download the code & play with it, or just watch the balls go round & round here.
A Questions Meme from Lyonesse
Feb. 1st, 2007 02:37 pmPost if you want to participate. I will:
1) Tell you why I friended you
2) Associate you with a song/movie
3) Tell a random fact about you
4) Tell a first memory about you
5) Associate you with an animal/fruit
6) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you
7) In retort, you must spread this disease in your LJ
1) Tell you why I friended you
2) Associate you with a song/movie
3) Tell a random fact about you
4) Tell a first memory about you
5) Associate you with an animal/fruit
6) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you
7) In retort, you must spread this disease in your LJ
This is basically link spam, but I thought it was something I want to remember as a rhetorical device: http://pjammer.livejournal.com/172181.html
Anyone think this would work well for a presentation instead of a series of lectures?
Anyone think this would work well for a presentation instead of a series of lectures?
Appreciate Your Mess
Dec. 26th, 2006 07:00 pmThe NYTimes writes an interesting article against overorganizing your house, and feeling guilty about the mess. You've got to appreciate any article that includes a sentence like "messy closet owners are probably better parents and nicer and cooler than their tidier counterparts," especially if you've seen my closet.
Music in the house...
Dec. 11th, 2006 06:47 pmWe are planning to add music to several rooms in our house and wondered what others have decided upon?
There a several audio streamer systems now (Sonos, Roku, etc.), some hand built systems, or just using an extra computer with SongBird or the like. What are others using? What are others recommending? A remote control would be cool but not absolutely necessary.
There a several audio streamer systems now (Sonos, Roku, etc.), some hand built systems, or just using an extra computer with SongBird or the like. What are others using? What are others recommending? A remote control would be cool but not absolutely necessary.
Real Women, Real Bodies
Dec. 8th, 2006 01:46 pmSaw this on boingboing, and had to share:
The Century Project (NSFW) by photographer Frank Cordelle shows images of women, nude, between the ages of zero and 100. They're real women, not idealized models. They have scars and bellies. He includes a short statement from or about each of the women as well. Apparently the East Bay Express newspaper has an article about this project. In any case, I thought it was fascinating, and very unlikely what we see normally in media.
The Century Project (NSFW) by photographer Frank Cordelle shows images of women, nude, between the ages of zero and 100. They're real women, not idealized models. They have scars and bellies. He includes a short statement from or about each of the women as well. Apparently the East Bay Express newspaper has an article about this project. In any case, I thought it was fascinating, and very unlikely what we see normally in media.
An interesting analysis of the media...
Dec. 4th, 2006 09:26 pmMaking Light, a blog I read periodically has an interesting perspective on the overall media. Today's post was particularly informative.
Short version: The media does think the American people are sheep, and their interest in the status quo overrides any political biases they may have. I'm unsurprised, but it was interesting to have it laid out this clearly.
Short version: The media does think the American people are sheep, and their interest in the status quo overrides any political biases they may have. I'm unsurprised, but it was interesting to have it laid out this clearly.
We Made It!
Nov. 9th, 2006 02:29 pmAllen just conceded, and Burns conceded yesterday. The Senate is now 49-49, with 2 independents who are caucusing with the Democrats.
A test of English (meme)
Nov. 5th, 2006 12:05 pmI am probably more embarrassed by this result than I should be. But I missed at least 2 questions. Whoops.
English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 86% Expert! |
You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!
|
My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test |
The Internets Save the Day
Oct. 30th, 2006 11:14 pmSo we've been meaning to donate some more money to Democratic candidates. I've been using Electoral Vote to track how the election is going. Their current results show that the Senate will be 51-49 for the Republicans. So I decided to give a little contribution to those races that were quite close (handily color coded). But I couldn't find a single page to do so. Then someone pointed me at Act Blue, which allows you to set up your pages for contributions, and does it with no fees or any BS.
Of course, this meant that I had to set up my very own page, Close Senate Races, focusing on the races that were less than 5 points apart. Act Blue has tons of other "fundraising pages" ranging from NetRoots to pages focusing on particular states. If you want to set up your own page, you can. If you want to contribute to the closest 7 Senate races, you can do it from my page.
I love the Internet. It gives me information, and solves some inconveniences. Of course, it took me longer to create that page than it would have to go to the individual pages for each of the candidates. But that's mostly because I would so fail Social Studies if I were taking it now. I couldn't figure out which state was which. I'm just glad Miss Baran can't see me now.
Of course, this meant that I had to set up my very own page, Close Senate Races, focusing on the races that were less than 5 points apart. Act Blue has tons of other "fundraising pages" ranging from NetRoots to pages focusing on particular states. If you want to set up your own page, you can. If you want to contribute to the closest 7 Senate races, you can do it from my page.
I love the Internet. It gives me information, and solves some inconveniences. Of course, it took me longer to create that page than it would have to go to the individual pages for each of the candidates. But that's mostly because I would so fail Social Studies if I were taking it now. I couldn't figure out which state was which. I'm just glad Miss Baran can't see me now.
Remind me not to read the legal news
Oct. 24th, 2006 09:29 pmit just makes me depressed.
( The facts of this case include some disturbing stuff. )
In other words, no matter how obviously the prosecution breaks the law -- and this was pretty blatant, permitting perjury and not handing over an accomplice's statement -- if you could've discovered this earlier, you cannot use it for an appeal. In other words, you had better get a decent lawyer the first time around, or you'll get executed even if the evidence points to your innocence, because the courts won't consider the evidence.
Did I mention that it's against the law for any official of the court to permit perjured testimony? How do we get these fuckers disbarred again?
( The facts of this case include some disturbing stuff. )
In other words, no matter how obviously the prosecution breaks the law -- and this was pretty blatant, permitting perjury and not handing over an accomplice's statement -- if you could've discovered this earlier, you cannot use it for an appeal. In other words, you had better get a decent lawyer the first time around, or you'll get executed even if the evidence points to your innocence, because the courts won't consider the evidence.
Did I mention that it's against the law for any official of the court to permit perjured testimony? How do we get these fuckers disbarred again?
So the Chinese Government has decided that unions might be a good idea, what with all that industrialization going on, and pretty much a complete lack of safety measures. And who is lobbying against such (fairly basic) protections for workers. Foreign corporations, of course. Including Dell, Ford, General Electric, Microsoft and Nike, as represented by the American Chamber of Commerce.
I get depressed when I realize that the Chinese government cares more about people than American corporations do.
I get depressed when I realize that the Chinese government cares more about people than American corporations do.
Voting in California
Oct. 6th, 2006 05:30 pmI finally got my General Election Voter Information Guide today for the elections next month. I've been looking through the propositions, and although some are no-brainers, I'm having a hard time deciding which way to go on some of these. So I thought I'd turn to you all and see if you had any strong feelings about any of these
NO * 1A - Protection of Transportation Funding
* 1B - Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security
* 1C - Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006
* 1D - Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006
* 1E - Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Act of 2006
NO * 83 - Comprehensive Registered Sex Offender Laws (popularly known as "Jessica's Law")
* 84 - Bonds for clean water, flood control, state and local park improvements, etc.
NO * 85 - Parental Notification before Termination of Teen's Pregnancy
* 87 - Funding for alternative forms of energy
* 88 - Property Parcel Tax to fund for Education
* 89 - Campaign Finance Restrictions, including a corporate tax increase
* 90 - Eminent Domain Restrictions
As you can see, I have quite a bit of reading left. Any of you have some strong views or reasoned arguments about any of these?
NO * 1A - Protection of Transportation Funding
* 1B - Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security
* 1C - Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006
* 1D - Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006
* 1E - Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Act of 2006
NO * 83 - Comprehensive Registered Sex Offender Laws (popularly known as "Jessica's Law")
* 84 - Bonds for clean water, flood control, state and local park improvements, etc.
NO * 85 - Parental Notification before Termination of Teen's Pregnancy
* 87 - Funding for alternative forms of energy
* 88 - Property Parcel Tax to fund for Education
* 89 - Campaign Finance Restrictions, including a corporate tax increase
* 90 - Eminent Domain Restrictions
As you can see, I have quite a bit of reading left. Any of you have some strong views or reasoned arguments about any of these?
There goes 60 years of jurisprudence
Sep. 28th, 2006 11:22 pmWe're back to 1942, except this time we are not in war that can be won & the enemy is anyone that the President declares an enemy. Apparently legal residents of the U.S. (like my parents) could be randomly declared "enemy combatants," locked up indefinitely with no right of habeas corpus, no right to be confronted with their alleged "crimes," and with a likelihood of being tortured.
I'm very disappointed in the Democrats for failing to filibuster this abomination of a bill. But more so in the few "moderate" Republicans and Democrats, some of whom spoke out against the bill, who voted for this piece of excrement.
We've never in the history of this country given this much power to a president, to arbitrarily declare the metes and bounds of a treaty, and the identity of the enemy who can be deprived of rights.
Be careful, if you vote the wrong way, you too may be declared an enemy combatant. Apparently selling satellite TV services that include Middle Eastern channels, donating money to a 501(c)(3) that works in the wrong country, or possibly joining the Quakers can get you declared as an enemy combatant these days.
I'm very disappointed in the Democrats for failing to filibuster this abomination of a bill. But more so in the few "moderate" Republicans and Democrats, some of whom spoke out against the bill, who voted for this piece of excrement.
We've never in the history of this country given this much power to a president, to arbitrarily declare the metes and bounds of a treaty, and the identity of the enemy who can be deprived of rights.
Be careful, if you vote the wrong way, you too may be declared an enemy combatant. Apparently selling satellite TV services that include Middle Eastern channels, donating money to a 501(c)(3) that works in the wrong country, or possibly joining the Quakers can get you declared as an enemy combatant these days.
Tell me about yourself Meme
Sep. 20th, 2006 03:14 pmLots of questions for you to answer. I'll screen the answers, let me know if you prefer to keep yours private.
1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song:
6. Favorite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...
1. Do we know each other outside of Live Journal?
2. What's your philosophy on life?
3. Would you have my back in a fight?
4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
5. What is your favorite memory of us?
6. Would you give me a kidney?
7. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
8. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?
9. Can we get together and make a cake?
10. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?
11. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?
12. Do you think I'm a good person?
13. Would you drive across country with me?
14. Do you think I'm attractive?
15. If you could change anything about me, would you?
16. What do you wear to sleep?
17. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?
18. Would you go on a date with me if i asked you?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
1. Your Middle Name:
2. Age:
3. Single or Taken:
4. Favorite Movie:
5. Favorite Song:
6. Favorite Band/Artist:
7. Dirty or Clean:
8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...
1. Do we know each other outside of Live Journal?
2. What's your philosophy on life?
3. Would you have my back in a fight?
4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
5. What is your favorite memory of us?
6. Would you give me a kidney?
7. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
8. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?
9. Can we get together and make a cake?
10. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?
11. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?
12. Do you think I'm a good person?
13. Would you drive across country with me?
14. Do you think I'm attractive?
15. If you could change anything about me, would you?
16. What do you wear to sleep?
17. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?
18. Would you go on a date with me if i asked you?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
Meme (I'm a smart sheep)
Sep. 14th, 2006 01:15 pm9/9 Genius You are 78% knowledgable and 88% intellectual. |
Amazing! You have an incredible brain (intellect) and a powerhouse of information (knowledge)! Keep up the impressive work-- we all bow to you. |
My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Knowledge vs. Intellect Test written by rattytintinface on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |
