Monthly Archives: February 2002

In re John Walker

quoth Sgt Stryker: My only question is, Can I drink beer? That is the standard by which all nations are judged. If the answer is yes, then you’re cool with me. If the answer is no, then you’re a barbaric … Continue reading

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two kinds of metaphorical web

“Too much security is scarier than dirtbags”, from Joe Soucheray of Pioneer Press, through Glenn Reynolds by way of Swen. Years ago when my main outlet was APA-L, I predicted (in response to a grumble from Fred Patten, if memory … Continue reading

Posted in futures, security theater | Leave a comment

the tortures of Tantalus

Today some clown invited me to “Save over 300% on MEDICATION!” Sadly, the spam contained no valid address from which I might learn more about this offer to pay me $2 when I order $1 worth of Viagra.

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guns and cars

The meme “why not regulate guns like cars?” was much blogged last week. Anthony Swenson wrote: The real reason we should dislike the driver’s license model: Driving is not in the Bill of Rights. The right to keep and bear … Continue reading

Posted in constitution | 1 Comment

you know my name, look up the number

Peeve: Redundantly numbered lists, such as this list of 134 worst movies, numbered in alphabetical order from 1 to 102. The median date of the champion turkeys, by the way, is 1988. Amazing. Update (December 2003): They took the numbers … Continue reading

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soap films

I’ve begun to learn to use Ken Brakke’s Surface Evolver. Haven’t yet found whether it has the one feature that would make it ideal for my exploration of nonspherical ‘dome’ forms: ability to constrain the edges to equal length. The … Continue reading

Posted in eye-candy, mathematics, neep-neep | Leave a comment

are you threatening me?

Sinfest borrows a riff from Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

Posted in cartoons | 1 Comment