Writing is important...

...but not for the reasons cited by the so-called "writing experts."

Sometimes some opinions in NYT are worthwhile

I don't mind the New York Times when they, at rare moments, say something that I agree with. This opinion piece from Dick Cavett (ht Instapundit) makes sense to me. I've often wondered why the military chose to go the route of teaching "sensitivity" when the more militaristic route would have been to go the "insensitivity" route. Think about it, what a terrific killing machine would it be to have a military that was completely "insensitive."

Flashcards...I like 'em.

Flashcards on Dictionary.com.
I'm not sure when they first appeared, but I am now making them part of my daily routine. I have always enjoyed word derivation and now Dictionary.com is making it amazingly easy and fun. You can add make your own set of flashcards or you can run through decks created by others. I can't promise that it will improve your vocabulary, but it certainly shouldn't hurt.
It seems to me to be a great way of teaching yourself or others.

Enjoy.
http://flashcards.dictionary.com//study/deck/76224/crucible-flashcards/progress-1/

Satchel Paige Quotes

This guy had some good quotes. I remember the name from an old Eddie Murphy/Joe Piscipo comedy routine from Saturday Night Live (when SNL was good), but I didn't know of his contributions to baseball.

He was an amazing player, and this is coming from a guy who grew up in Florida when it didn't have a professional baseball team, he doesn't seem to have taken himself too seriously either.

Check out the link:

http://www.satchelpaige.com/quote2.html

He does it again! Victor Davis Hanson

It is such an education to read the articles written by Victor Davis Hanson. I'm sure that a conversation with him with be extremely educational as well.

LINK: http://tinyurl.com/y9f2mh9

For the car designers out there...a Golden Opportunity!

That's right, design the new Studebaker!

Check out Car Lust's Blog about the competition. I might just have to submit an amazing design.

LINK: http://www.carlustblog.com/2010/03/design-a-new-studebaker.html

Photo link: oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Studebaker/TheEnd.html

Why a Salad Costs More Than a Big Mac

This is really just another example of the Law of Unintended Consequences which states...that "any intervention in a complex system may or may not have the intended result, but will inevitably create unanticipated and often undesirable outcomes."

Unintended Consequences: Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Unintended_Consequences

Why a Saad Costs More Than a Big Mac

Link: http://consumerist.com/2010/03/why-a-salad-costs-more-than-a-big-mac.html

There are probably more like this than you think

Cops. Policemen. Fuz. Often people shun them because of the power of arrest. In actuality, law-abiding citizens should interact with and welcome police in their midst. Imagine a world without enforcers of the law. Think "Lord of the Flies" on steroids.
This story, from The Survival Spot Blog, is probably a better description of the typical police officer.

Touching.

LINK:http://www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/bozeman-officer-buys-groceries-for-shoplifting-suspect/

More Inventions than Edison? I'm interested.

Dr. NakaMats: Patently Strange: The World's Most Prolific Inventor. Okay, you have my attention. What's the story?
LINK: http://www.motherboard.tv/2010/3/3/dr-nakamats-patently-strange-the-world-s-most-prolific-inventor

Another Great Read from VDH

Victor Davis Hanson is to Reading as Lay's Potato Chips are to eating.
LINK:http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/dronism/

Good LabRat Article. We do have it good!

I always appreciate a good article on LabRats.
LINK:http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-03/fat-lab-rats-skew-research-results

Where do I buy a lifetime supply

Besides costing only $0.03 a piece, think of the money saved by not needing to flush. I think this is bound to take off - BIG TIME!

LINK:http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-03/peepoo-bags-sterlize-human-waste-and-create-fertilizer-only-three-cents

When toys were more than just toys

This came before my time, but it puts the vertibird to shame.

LINK: http://www.orau.org/PTP/collection/atomictoys/GilbertU238Lab.htm

Wal-Mart vs. Whole Foods (Blind Taste Test)

Sorry, Charlie!

LINK: http://reason.com/blog/2010/02/16/the-tasters-werent-entirely-ha

If it ain't broke...don't fix it!!

Reported from The Wall Street Journal...



Campbell's is redesigning the Soup Can Labels. This can not be good!



LINK: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704804204575069562743700340.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business

Life expectancy during the Depression.

LINK: http://www.physorg.com/news173371667.html

Another Interesting Read

I am intrigued by this kind of stuff. If I could do it all again, I would be doing something like this for a living. Very interesting.

LINK:http://www.infrastructurist.com/2010/02/16/who-will-clear-the-seabeds-of-wwii-mines-for-gas-pipelines-robots/

Talking about your "hottie!"

RHIC Collider Creates Quark-Gluon Plasma at 4,000,000,000,000 Degrees Celsius.

LINK: The New York Times

More "Unexpectedly" Statements

It may be my opinion, but the phrase "Unexpectedly" and "Unexpected" is used more often than not. Just who are these "Experts" making the predictions? Why are the results so often "unexpected?"
As I told my son one time when making a string of poor decisions, "Maybe you should just do the opposite of what you think you should? - You would be better off.

I'm now thinking that the "experts" making predictions should take this advice.

LINK:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100108/bs_nm/us_usa_economy_7

Seersucker Crime Suit

I had this thought the other day while walking my dog. I can't explain where it came from, but I was thinking that the clothing one wears speaks volumes. Think of the following...

- Orange jump suit

- Black hoodie

- Seersucker jacket

Anyway, I thought of the idea of somebody burgling a house wearing seersucker was laughable.

I'm sure it has happened, but I couldn't comprehend the concept.

Some more facts on "seersucker."

Distinctively wrinkled seersucker was first woven in India. The name of the fabric is a Hindi derivation of a Persian phrase, "shir shakkar," which translates as "milk and sugar," representing the alternating rough and smooth textures of the cloth’s signature stripes.