Category Archives: Personal

First Post of the New Year

Let’s have a show of hands. How many of you out there think that “Spirit” and “Opportunity” are incredibly stupid names for the rovers now photographing and crawling around Mars? The first one sounds like a glee club from high … Continue reading

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Pre-thanksgiving rant

I never liked Thanksgiving food. I mean I’ll eat it, but I don’t like it. The trouble with t-day is that it’s too close to c-day, the official Cadillac of all holidays. If I need to reduce my karmic debt … Continue reading

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Fame. Puts you there, where things are hollow

I’ve recently come to the conclusion that many people could be famous, but they consciously or subconsciously avoid becoming so. Fame, at least in part, requires time, work, risks, the accumulation of controversy and, possibly, the gaining of ill will … Continue reading

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The BBC reverses the polarity of the neutron flow

This just in from the Wire of Insanely Cool News, after a forteen year hiatus, the Beeb decides to revive Dr. Who. My aunt introduced this science fiction series to me, during an evening of watching KQED, way back in … Continue reading

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I don't believe in American exceptionalism

What is American exceptionalism and how come I don’t believe in it? Well there are probably a lot of people who will argue with my definition, but here it is: The United States is not merely unique, it is special, … Continue reading

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Religious Mistake Number 357

Mystical experiences aren’t special because everyone has them or has the potential to have them. Mystical experience is just brain activity driven by internal feedback (Trance, prayer, meditation, obsession and so on.) or environmental factors (Drugs, starvation, fatigue, pain and … Continue reading

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Yawn, yet another manifesto

If I had a 100 dollars for every rant I’ve seen on the Internet condemning that same network, I’d be a rich man. Yes, the Internet is full of shit. Yawn. Tell us something we don’t know already. Sturgeon said … Continue reading

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Why I'll never go into education

People have told me on many occasions that I have talent for explanation. Some have even said that I should be a teacher. Every time I’ve heard this, I’ve rolled my eyes and sighed ruefully. Education stinks. Barring tremendous improvements … Continue reading

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The destruction of global memory

My friend is furious, disgusted and deeply saddened by the looting and destruction of priceless archeological and historical treasures in the Cradle of Civilization. He said: “Do you know why there are sixty seconds to a minute, or sixty minutes … Continue reading

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Something I should have done a long time ago

Ever since I left the Company that Shall Not be Named back in July of 2000 I’ve been failing to do something: set up my own proprietorship. Since 1996 until I left I was what they call a permatemp. Initially … Continue reading

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