Now available in business card size...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Just a bit late for TLPD...
“We just saw a big ship,” the pirates’ spokesman, Sugule Ali, told The New York Times. “So we stopped it.”
Monday, September 29, 2008
Parallel Nerdom
A new game for the iphone (and phones running google android) will make use of cell phone's GPS to radically change player experience. The game designers have essentially made a parallel universe that maps on to reality (apparently making use of google maps)- where you are in real life coordinates with where your character is in the game. Since the game, Parallel Kingdom, is an rpg, this means that as you walk around your community (in real life) you fight with creatures and other players (in game life), collect items that you need (magic rings in game life and groceries in real life) until you accumulate a healthy reputation as the strongest nerd in your neighborhood (mostly just in real life).
Your morning commute is transformed into a perilous voyage into enemy territory. The necessity to walk your dog becomes a trading mission with your friendly neighbors. Basically, it allows you to convert all your daily tasks into opportunities to express your utter nerdiness. If WoW took some lives (in real life), just imagine what this could do...
If you're really excited about this, then you can get started with a simple game based on similar technology- you don't even need an iphone. Your mission: try to kill all those people with iphones by setting traps in a digital universe...
Your morning commute is transformed into a perilous voyage into enemy territory. The necessity to walk your dog becomes a trading mission with your friendly neighbors. Basically, it allows you to convert all your daily tasks into opportunities to express your utter nerdiness. If WoW took some lives (in real life), just imagine what this could do...
If you're really excited about this, then you can get started with a simple game based on similar technology- you don't even need an iphone. Your mission: try to kill all those people with iphones by setting traps in a digital universe...
Friday, September 26, 2008
I'm a pc...
but I use a mac.
Several digital images that Microsoft Corp. has posted on its Web site to trumpet its new "I'm a PC" advertising campaign were actually created on Macs, according to the files' originating-software stamp.
Friday, September 19, 2008
The problem with the apple ads:
The world identifies far more with John Hodgman than [what is that guy's name?]. I think this new ad from Microsoft does a good job of pointing that out...I like it.
Lutz doesn't believe in human caused global warming but...
he's still the one in charge of GM's electric car...cue Colbert:
Here's what Lutz has to say about the interview:
"I was warned not to try to counter his humor with offerings of my own: “He’ll inevitably win. You should just smile, and play it straight.”
I resolved to obey, but lost it as the “interview” began: if one has any sense of humor at all, it’s just impossible not to have it triggered when engaged by Colbert’s brilliant but outrageous persona. It turns out, unfortunately, that “outrageous” is the main bandwidth of my humor, so I found my responses coming reasonably fast and automatically. Although if you see the interview, you’ll notice some pauses on my part. Those pauses were not because I didn’t know what to say; they were time needed to index through and discard the truly dangerous answers!
Once we got going, I think we “connected,” and the time just flew. But “fun challenge” aside, the key facts on Volt came out: 40-mile electric range, great overall range, advanced lithium-ion battery technology and so on. Those facts are now known to the huge Colbert Nation, which consists primarily of millions of educated, successful young people, including many who are not generally predisposed to consider GM cars."
Here's what Lutz has to say about the interview:
"I was warned not to try to counter his humor with offerings of my own: “He’ll inevitably win. You should just smile, and play it straight.”
I resolved to obey, but lost it as the “interview” began: if one has any sense of humor at all, it’s just impossible not to have it triggered when engaged by Colbert’s brilliant but outrageous persona. It turns out, unfortunately, that “outrageous” is the main bandwidth of my humor, so I found my responses coming reasonably fast and automatically. Although if you see the interview, you’ll notice some pauses on my part. Those pauses were not because I didn’t know what to say; they were time needed to index through and discard the truly dangerous answers!
Once we got going, I think we “connected,” and the time just flew. But “fun challenge” aside, the key facts on Volt came out: 40-mile electric range, great overall range, advanced lithium-ion battery technology and so on. Those facts are now known to the huge Colbert Nation, which consists primarily of millions of educated, successful young people, including many who are not generally predisposed to consider GM cars."
The Future...
Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, recently informed the world that he has a gene that increases his chances of developing Parkinsons.He responds:
This leaves me in a rather unique position. I know early in my life something I am substantially predisposed to. I now have the opportunity to adjust my life to reduce those odds (e.g. there is evidence that exercise may be protective against Parkinson’s). I also have the opportunity to perform and support research into this disease long before it may affect me.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Obama critiques Charles Murray...
a decade ago...Murray's work is as influential as it is sloppy...
"Now, it shouldn't take a genius to figure out that with early intervention such problems can be prevented. But Mr. Murray isn't interested in prevention. He's interested in pushing a very particular policy agenda, specifically, the elimination of affirmative action and welfare programs aimed at the poor. With one finger out to the political wind, Mr. Murray has apparently decided that white America is ready for a return to good old-fashioned racism so long as it's artfully packaged and can admit for exceptions like Colin Powell. It's easy to see the basis for Mr. Murray's calculations. After watching their income stagnate or decline over the past decade, the majority of Americans are in an ugly mood and deeply resent any advantages, realor perceived, that minorities may enjoy.
I happen to think Mr. Murray's wrong, not just in his estimation of black people, but in his estimation of the broader American public. But I do think Mr. Murray's right about the growing distance between the races. The violence and despair of the inner city are real. So's the problem of street crime. The longer we allow these problems to fester, the easier it becomes for white America to see all blacks as menacing and for black America to see all whites as racist. To close that gap, we're going to have to do more than denounce Mr. Murray's book. We're going to have to take concrete and deliberate action. For blacks, that means taking greater responsibility for the state of our own communities. Too many of us use white racism as an excuse for self-defeating behavior. Too many of our young people think education is a white thing and that the values of hard work and discipline and self-respect are somehow outdated."
Via Sullivan...
"Now, it shouldn't take a genius to figure out that with early intervention such problems can be prevented. But Mr. Murray isn't interested in prevention. He's interested in pushing a very particular policy agenda, specifically, the elimination of affirmative action and welfare programs aimed at the poor. With one finger out to the political wind, Mr. Murray has apparently decided that white America is ready for a return to good old-fashioned racism so long as it's artfully packaged and can admit for exceptions like Colin Powell. It's easy to see the basis for Mr. Murray's calculations. After watching their income stagnate or decline over the past decade, the majority of Americans are in an ugly mood and deeply resent any advantages, realor perceived, that minorities may enjoy.
I happen to think Mr. Murray's wrong, not just in his estimation of black people, but in his estimation of the broader American public. But I do think Mr. Murray's right about the growing distance between the races. The violence and despair of the inner city are real. So's the problem of street crime. The longer we allow these problems to fester, the easier it becomes for white America to see all blacks as menacing and for black America to see all whites as racist. To close that gap, we're going to have to do more than denounce Mr. Murray's book. We're going to have to take concrete and deliberate action. For blacks, that means taking greater responsibility for the state of our own communities. Too many of us use white racism as an excuse for self-defeating behavior. Too many of our young people think education is a white thing and that the values of hard work and discipline and self-respect are somehow outdated."
Via Sullivan...
Resolved: Guess I'm not an elf...
It's important friends...
I Am A: Chaotic Good Human Wizard (3rd Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-13
Dexterity-13
Constitution-15
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-12
Charisma-15
Alignment:
Chaotic Good A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society. Chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit. However, chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment because it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
I Am A: Chaotic Good Human Wizard (3rd Level)
Ability Scores:
Strength-13
Dexterity-13
Constitution-15
Intelligence-16
Wisdom-12
Charisma-15
Alignment:
Chaotic Good A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society. Chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit. However, chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment because it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.
Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.
Class:
Wizards are arcane spellcasters who depend on intensive study to create their magic. To wizards, magic is not a talent but a difficult, rewarding art. When they are prepared for battle, wizards can use their spells to devastating effect. When caught by surprise, they are vulnerable. The wizard's strength is her spells, everything else is secondary. She learns new spells as she experiments and grows in experience, and she can also learn them from other wizards. In addition, over time a wizard learns to manipulate her spells so they go farther, work better, or are improved in some other way. A wizard can call a familiar- a small, magical, animal companion that serves her. With a high Intelligence, wizards are capable of casting very high levels of spells.
Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)
Can you fish
in a sustainable way?
My best was 16 fish for myself, 48 fish for the group, with 8 or 9 left in the pond...They suggest that you're suppose to be able to get to 18, but I'm not sure how. (I did get to 17 once, but my pond was tapped out, and my co-fishermen weren't doing so hot...)
My best was 16 fish for myself, 48 fish for the group, with 8 or 9 left in the pond...They suggest that you're suppose to be able to get to 18, but I'm not sure how. (I did get to 17 once, but my pond was tapped out, and my co-fishermen weren't doing so hot...)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Super Bugs and Drugs
Apparently THC can be used as an antibiotic (maybe).
But what this really means is that marijuana will be used to create monstrous superbugs that will probably kill us all.
Drug abuse friends, drug abuse...
But what this really means is that marijuana will be used to create monstrous superbugs that will probably kill us all.
Drug abuse friends, drug abuse...
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Just a bit early...
but, just in case anyone is curious, so far it looks like Palin's effect on the race isn't amazing (when you get down to demographic polls). The McCain-Palin ticket manages a slight increase in Republican white women, but otherwise everything (including both independent men and women) is shifting toward Obama. Also, "...[o]ver half [of the women polled] (52%) say the Obama-Biden ticket has more experience, while only 37% say McCain-Palin is more experienced. Not only did the Palin pick negate McCain's experience "argument," as many commented, but it actually completely erased McCain's advantage, among women, in just a few short weeks."
I'm not quite sure what the author means by "a few short weeks," since Palin has obviously only been a factor for a matter of days, but still interesting stuff...
I'm not quite sure what the author means by "a few short weeks," since Palin has obviously only been a factor for a matter of days, but still interesting stuff...
What to do with my 5 bucks...
The American Public Transportation Association has just released a study about how much money people are saving by taking public transportation. The average savings is about $9,500 per year per person. They also list the cities where people save the most by taking public transit. Boston comes out on top, with a savings of $1,124 a month (beating NYC by $5 per month.)
Sandpoint's little civil war
Ben Stein, sometimes resident of Sandpoint, ID, is pretty critical of Sandpoint native Sarah Palin:
"She should have Henry Kissinger babysitting her."
"She should have Henry Kissinger babysitting her."
Alaska National Guard
Recently Republicans have tried to argue that Palin has some kind of experience on account of her being the commander in chief of the Alaska National Guard (I say "some kind" because it hasn't been clear whether that was suppose to be foreign experience, military experience, both, or something else entirely.)
As it turns out, Palin has never issued a single order to the Alaska National Guard. (Accept to delegate all such decisions to Maj. Gen Craig Campbell, the service commander of the ANG.) In Giuliani's words, she has "never led anything. Nothing. Nada" having to do with the Alaska National guard.
Another interesting tidbit: Her first trip overseas - not just as governor, but ever - was last year (she visited troops in Kuwait and Germany).
I've heard from a reliable person that it is very common for governors to meet with high level foreign officials - but I can't find any evidence that Palin has ever done that either. Can you? (Seriously, I'd like to hear about it...)
As it turns out, Palin has never issued a single order to the Alaska National Guard. (Accept to delegate all such decisions to Maj. Gen Craig Campbell, the service commander of the ANG.) In Giuliani's words, she has "never led anything. Nothing. Nada" having to do with the Alaska National guard.
Another interesting tidbit: Her first trip overseas - not just as governor, but ever - was last year (she visited troops in Kuwait and Germany).
I've heard from a reliable person that it is very common for governors to meet with high level foreign officials - but I can't find any evidence that Palin has ever done that either. Can you? (Seriously, I'd like to hear about it...)
I'm perfectly average...
Ben has brought to my attention this color "IQ" test. I scored a 50, which is the average score for people in my age/gender group. Of course, the republican convention has taught me to be very proud to be exactly average, rather than one of those elitist colour snobs.
(And if I'm not quite proud, can I get away with blaming it on my screen?)
(And if I'm not quite proud, can I get away with blaming it on my screen?)
Proper Vetting
City Room has an interesting piece on Geraldine Ferraro's vetting (or lack there of).
Last night...
Watching Palin's speech confirms for me my initial reaction to the pick: probably the right person to give McCain a shot at the white house. I thought her delivery was surprisingly good (but that is partly because she had a ridiculous parade of speakers before her- Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee).
The real question is whether the pick will continue to look like a highly political choice. If McCain and Co can keep attention away from the actual work Palin has done, then they have a good chance of making a very close election (I say close, because there's still a lot of work to be done). In that regard, I think all the personal stuff about Palin's daughter may turn out to be helpful. If the McCain camp can keep pointing out (quite correctly) that the pregnancy of her teen daughter is essentially a non-issue, then they may get away with ignoring other (legit) critiques. That is, whatever hit Palin takes for her pregnant daughter has already been inflicted- talking more about it isn't going to hurt the ticket.
Finally, I'm not familiar with Nate Silver, but Sullivan brings this summary to my attention:
The real question is whether the pick will continue to look like a highly political choice. If McCain and Co can keep attention away from the actual work Palin has done, then they have a good chance of making a very close election (I say close, because there's still a lot of work to be done). In that regard, I think all the personal stuff about Palin's daughter may turn out to be helpful. If the McCain camp can keep pointing out (quite correctly) that the pregnancy of her teen daughter is essentially a non-issue, then they may get away with ignoring other (legit) critiques. That is, whatever hit Palin takes for her pregnant daughter has already been inflicted- talking more about it isn't going to hurt the ticket.
Finally, I'm not familiar with Nate Silver, but Sullivan brings this summary to my attention:
You have Mitt Romney -- one of the wealthiest men ever to run for office -- critiquing east-coast elitism, and Mike Huckabee -- who is an economic populist in disguise -- critiquing big government, and Sarah Palin -- who voters don't know one iota about -- critiquing Barack Obama's biography.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Republicans on Palin
Josh Marshall just posted this conversation between Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy. I had heard some rumblings that there were a lot of political consultants and general insiders, who are more than a little annoyed about McCain's choice.
Of course, these "whispers" are probably not that big of a deal for the campaign (the spin is relatively easy- "of course 'insiders' will be pissed off that McCain is "bucking tradition.")
Still, I agree with them that it has got to be hard to be Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, or either of the senators from Maine (Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe). All have substantially more experience...but, they all also happen to be pro-choice. Rice was obviously out because he could never beat the "McSame" charges with her serving as vice-president...
Of course, these "whispers" are probably not that big of a deal for the campaign (the spin is relatively easy- "of course 'insiders' will be pissed off that McCain is "bucking tradition.")
Still, I agree with them that it has got to be hard to be Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, or either of the senators from Maine (Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe). All have substantially more experience...but, they all also happen to be pro-choice. Rice was obviously out because he could never beat the "McSame" charges with her serving as vice-president...
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