I am on holidays for the next couple of weeks so there won't be much activity around here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my loyal readers (both of them) for spending time reading my silly thoughts.
Blogging will return in August.
Its funny, the "new media" (bloggers, Facebook, You Tube) and the old media (MSM) have a weird and somewhat symbiotic relationship.
For example, most bloogers will start by talking old media stories and making commentary on them. And often, they will consider themselves very successful if they are mentioned or referenced in a MSM story.
On the other hand, the old media is fascinated by the new media and "what it all means." For example this article in the Globe
The premise is that the new media is taking a major role in the 2008 presidential campaign. Which is an interesting premise but I'm not sure the main example of the story (the Obama girl video) is a decent test case. (Yes, I include the video later)
people are calling this the YouTube Election — in which anyone with a minicam or even a mere cellphone can conceivably affect the outcome. "Some of the best, the most innovative stuff is gonna come from some voter out there, who changes the entire complexion of the race," says Joe Trippi, former campaign manager for Howard Dean in 2004, now adviser to the John Edwards campaign.
Take this vision test - It's harder than it seems at first. And remember, you can rewind YouTube videos.
A study appearing today in the journal Science reports that the hunter-gatherers seem to be the only group of humans known to have no concept of numbering and counting.Not only that, but adult Piraha apparently can't learn to count or understand the concept of numbers or numerals, even when they asked anthropologists to teach them and have been given basic math lessons for months at a time.
So Newsweek magazine has the results of a phone survey that people took over this last week. They have published the results here with (and this is the important part) the "correct" answers in bold.
See, right there, CORRECT ANSWER IS IN BOLD. So what are the "correct" answers to some of the questions?
It may be tough to tell from my screen shots but the "correct answer" to the question:
From what you know about the situation, do you think the United States is losing the fight against al-Qaeda or radical Islamic terrorism?
Is "NO"
and the "correct" answer to the question:
Do you think Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was directly involved in planning, financing, or carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001?
Is "DON'T KNOW"
and finally:
The correct answer is "DID IT EVER END"
Yeah, cause who would know the answer to that?
Original Story
Investment capital flowing into renewable energies such as wind power climbed from $80 billion in 2005 to a record $100 billion in 2006, according to a new report from the UN Environment Programme, UNEP. The trend analysis cites climate change concerns, increasing government support, and high oil prices as reasons for the boom.
The trend continues in 2007 with experts predicting investments of $85 billion this year. "The renewable energy sector’s growth "although still volatile ... is showing no sign of abating," the report states.
[snip]Google is going green:
This installation is projected to produce enough electricity for approximately 1,000 California homes
This is a picture of the rear end of a dog. I see what appears to be a picture in it due to the human capacity for pattern recognition.
I am not saying that this is a picture of anything in particular. You will note that I am not describing the pattern that I see. Therefore, IF you see the same pattern that I see then that is also due to pattern recognition and nothing to do with me.
Let the stupid hate mail begin. (Again, I did not say what I saw - if you see it, then that's your fault not mine)
It is not too often that I find myself agreeing with Murry Mandryk but in his column today he made some interesting points about the Saskatchewan Party Candidate Christine Tell.
Here are some tidbits:
and:
So it very much comes down to an ethical decision. And Tell -- who, if elected to a Brad Wall government would stand a pretty good chance as a woman and a Regina MLA of making cabinet -- has made some questionable ethical decisions.
By blaming Johnston, Tell added to the bad judgment she already demonstrated by deciding not to take a leave of absence.And such bad judgment calls are sometimes a lot more harmful to a candidate than anything else.
hat tip daily kos
Paul Craig Roberts said that the US government is in the hands of dangerous psychopaths who are a disgrace to the human race and who should be arrested as war criminals and turned over the the Hague.
A piglet in Croatia born with six legs and two penises has been nicknamed Octopig by his owner.
The farmer, Ivica Seic from the village of Vrpolje, said Octopig also has two anuses.
This list is far from complete and if you have a blog that fits the bill or know of a blog that fits the bill let me know and I will add it.
- Homer J. Simpson
