Building a Viable Path to Market for Independent Games:
Game industry veterans Greg Costikyan and Johnny Wilson announced today that they are joining forces to launch Manifesto Games, a new venture to build a strong and viable independent game industry. Its site will offer independently-developed games for sale via direct download--a single place where fans of offbeat and niche games can find "the best of the rest," the games that the retail channel doesn't think worth carrying. Three types of games will be offered: truly independent, original content from creators without publisher funding; the best PC games from smaller PC game publishers, including games in existing genres like wargames, flight sims, and graphic adventures; and niche MMOs.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Bees dog pile, incinerate invaders
From Science News:
Honeybees that defend their colonies by killing wasps with body heat come within 5°C of cooking themselves in the process, according to a study in China.
Honeybees that defend their colonies by killing wasps with body heat come within 5°C of cooking themselves in the process, according to a study in China.
Bats spread SARS, part of South Chinese food chain
From New Scientist:
Bats are the natural hosts of a group of coronaviruses closely related to the virus responsible for deadly outbreaks of SARS among humans, according to a new study.
and...
This and the increasing presence of bats and bat products in food and traditional medicine markets in southern China and elsewhere in Asia led the researchers to focus their search for the origin of the SARS virus on bats.
What the fuck are they eating in southern China and elswhere in Asia that is bat-centric?
Bats are the natural hosts of a group of coronaviruses closely related to the virus responsible for deadly outbreaks of SARS among humans, according to a new study.
and...
This and the increasing presence of bats and bat products in food and traditional medicine markets in southern China and elsewhere in Asia led the researchers to focus their search for the origin of the SARS virus on bats.
What the fuck are they eating in southern China and elswhere in Asia that is bat-centric?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
The coolest goddamn sending off method since Hunter S. Thompson
From the Telegraph
Swedes will then have the chance to bury their dead according to the pioneering method, which involves freezing the body, dipping it in liquid nitrogen and gently vibrating it to shatter it into powder. This is put into a small box made of potato or corn starch and placed in a shallow grave, where it will disintegrate within six to 12 months.
Swedes will then have the chance to bury their dead according to the pioneering method, which involves freezing the body, dipping it in liquid nitrogen and gently vibrating it to shatter it into powder. This is put into a small box made of potato or corn starch and placed in a shallow grave, where it will disintegrate within six to 12 months.
G-Men will find you through your computer
From worldnetdaily.com:
Patent 6,947,978, granted this week, describes a process based on latency, or time lag between computers exchanging data, of "numerous" known locations on the Internet to build a "network latency topology map" for all users. Identifying the physical location of an individual user, reports CNET News.com, could then be accomplished by measuring how long it takes to connect to an unknown computer from numerous known machines, and using the latency response to display location on a map.
The NSA filed this patent, mind you.
...also, that's not paranoia creeping up your spine. That's actual awareness.
Patent 6,947,978, granted this week, describes a process based on latency, or time lag between computers exchanging data, of "numerous" known locations on the Internet to build a "network latency topology map" for all users. Identifying the physical location of an individual user, reports CNET News.com, could then be accomplished by measuring how long it takes to connect to an unknown computer from numerous known machines, and using the latency response to display location on a map.
The NSA filed this patent, mind you.
...also, that's not paranoia creeping up your spine. That's actual awareness.
The Adam and Eve...OF BRAINS....
From Discovery.com:
"What we see today in humans, insects and all other multicellular animals with a central nervous system are probably just variations of one ancient scheme," said Rudi Loesel, who conducted the analysis.
Zombies are impossibly interested.
"What we see today in humans, insects and all other multicellular animals with a central nervous system are probably just variations of one ancient scheme," said Rudi Loesel, who conducted the analysis.
Zombies are impossibly interested.
Running out of Compliant Scientists
From thinkprogress.org:
That's right. They have an author of fiction to back them up now.
Next, Michael Crichton will help out the Intelligent Design movement with his 'dinosaur research'....
That's right. They have an author of fiction to back them up now.
Next, Michael Crichton will help out the Intelligent Design movement with his 'dinosaur research'....
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Black Plague Cellphone Battery
From ScienceCentral.com:
Virus batteries! Goddamn if that doesn't sound cool.
That, and I've always wanted to wear a gasmask 24/7.
Virus batteries! Goddamn if that doesn't sound cool.
That, and I've always wanted to wear a gasmask 24/7.
Keep in mind that Vatican City has an insanely high crime rate
From the Times Online:
“In general, higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy and abortion in the prosperous democracies."
“In general, higher rates of belief in and worship of a creator correlate with higher rates of homicide, juvenile and early adult mortality, STD infection rates, teen pregnancy and abortion in the prosperous democracies."
My confidence in man shows through
From Key 23:
A how to guide on Preparing for the End of Society
(Not quite the end of the world, but still pretty bad)
A how to guide on Preparing for the End of Society
(Not quite the end of the world, but still pretty bad)
What do to do on Banned Books Week
From the American Library Association:
Oh, I know you're damned curious. Here's activities for getting the most out of Banned Books Week.
Oh, I know you're damned curious. Here's activities for getting the most out of Banned Books Week.
Marvel, DC, and the whole 'aging' thing
Erik Larsen has this great essay over at Comic Book Resources about the progression of time and characters in ongoing comics. Check it out.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Illegal Genes
From Reason.com:
The President's Council on Bioethics worries that people who choose to use biotech enhancements would somehow lose themselves: The Council's report "Beyond Therapy" warns "we risk 'turning into someone else,' confounding the identity we have acquired through natural gift cultivated by genuinely lived experiences, alone and with others." Liberal bioethicist George Annas from Boston University is pushing for a global treaty that would ban all inheritable modifications to any person's genetic makeup. He favors such a treaty because he believes that "species-altering genetic engineering [is] a potential weapon of mass destruction, and [that] makes the unaccountable genetic engineer a potential bioterrorist."
The President's Council on Bioethics worries that people who choose to use biotech enhancements would somehow lose themselves: The Council's report "Beyond Therapy" warns "we risk 'turning into someone else,' confounding the identity we have acquired through natural gift cultivated by genuinely lived experiences, alone and with others." Liberal bioethicist George Annas from Boston University is pushing for a global treaty that would ban all inheritable modifications to any person's genetic makeup. He favors such a treaty because he believes that "species-altering genetic engineering [is] a potential weapon of mass destruction, and [that] makes the unaccountable genetic engineer a potential bioterrorist."
Govt' tries to pull a sneaky one on Indians again
From the Guardian:
Brachfeld's office began investigating, and ``what appear to be Indian records were discovered in a waste basket in the stack areas at Main Archives,'' Baron wrote. Taken together, the two dumping incidents ``may be intentional acts aimed at unlawfully removing or disposing of permanent records from the Interior Department,'' he wrote.
Brachfeld's office began investigating, and ``what appear to be Indian records were discovered in a waste basket in the stack areas at Main Archives,'' Baron wrote. Taken together, the two dumping incidents ``may be intentional acts aimed at unlawfully removing or disposing of permanent records from the Interior Department,'' he wrote.
Robot-Gun destroys all who come near your computer
The idea of this project was to create a fully-automated sentry gun, capable of picking out a human target and accurately tracking and shooting him or her in the heart.
If the milk is bad, it'll glow
From...Informnauka:
To calculate microbes in milk or in the operating-room, it is necessary to make them glow like well-known glow-beetles.
To calculate microbes in milk or in the operating-room, it is necessary to make them glow like well-known glow-beetles.
Listen to Music from Non-Existent Instruments
Terribly interesting stuff from Cynthia Bruyns:
This project extends modal analysis techniques to simulate the design of percussive musical instruments using 3D models of instruments as prototypes. Our use of 3D models to determine the desired sound quality from an instrument includes a novel extension to sound synthesis for animation as well as sound synthesis for computer music.
This project extends modal analysis techniques to simulate the design of percussive musical instruments using 3D models of instruments as prototypes. Our use of 3D models to determine the desired sound quality from an instrument includes a novel extension to sound synthesis for animation as well as sound synthesis for computer music.
What mercenaries do when they're in New Orleans
From the Nation:
Officially, the company boasted of its forces "join[ing] the hurricane relief effort." But its men on the ground told a different story.
Some patrolled the streets in SUVs with tinted windows and the Blackwater logo splashed on the back; others sped around the French Quarter in an unmarked car with no license plates. They congregated on the corner of St. James and Bourbon in front of a bar called 711, where Blackwater was establishing a makeshift headquarters. From the balcony above the bar, several Blackwater guys cleared out what had apparently been someone's apartment. They threw mattresses, clothes, shoes and other household items from the balcony to the street below. They draped an American flag from the balcony's railing. More than a dozen troops from the 82nd Airborne Division stood in formation on the street watching the action.
Officially, the company boasted of its forces "join[ing] the hurricane relief effort." But its men on the ground told a different story.
Some patrolled the streets in SUVs with tinted windows and the Blackwater logo splashed on the back; others sped around the French Quarter in an unmarked car with no license plates. They congregated on the corner of St. James and Bourbon in front of a bar called 711, where Blackwater was establishing a makeshift headquarters. From the balcony above the bar, several Blackwater guys cleared out what had apparently been someone's apartment. They threw mattresses, clothes, shoes and other household items from the balcony to the street below. They draped an American flag from the balcony's railing. More than a dozen troops from the 82nd Airborne Division stood in formation on the street watching the action.
Chinese Ban on Public use of Leet
From Newsday:
"On the Web, Internet slang is convenient and satisfying, but the mainstream media have a responsibility to guide proper and legal language usage," the Shanghai Morning Post quoted city official Xia Xiurong as saying.
"On the Web, Internet slang is convenient and satisfying, but the mainstream media have a responsibility to guide proper and legal language usage," the Shanghai Morning Post quoted city official Xia Xiurong as saying.
...am I the only one who perceives an impossibility in this?
From the State:
The book, being published in time for school districts to consider for next year’s curricula, was designed to follow guidelines on how to teach about the Bible in public schools while not endorsing one religion’s view and not offending people of faith.
The book, being published in time for school districts to consider for next year’s curricula, was designed to follow guidelines on how to teach about the Bible in public schools while not endorsing one religion’s view and not offending people of faith.
A safe guess would be 'a lot'
From the Washington Post:
"Neither DOD nor Congress can reliably know how much the war is costing and details of how appropriated funds are being spent," the report to Congress stated.
"Neither DOD nor Congress can reliably know how much the war is costing and details of how appropriated funds are being spent," the report to Congress stated.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Handbook for Bloggers & Cyber-Dissidents
From Global Voices Online:
Reporters Without Borders has given Global Voices a sneak peak at the Handbook For Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents before its official Thursday release. Click here to download the full PDF booklet.
Reporters Without Borders has given Global Voices a sneak peak at the Handbook For Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents before its official Thursday release. Click here to download the full PDF booklet.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Because some people really do take those fwd's at their word
From the Internet Archive:
Sure, the web is full of information, but it also has lots of false information. How do you tell the difference? This program looks at the problem of disinformation on the internet.
Sure, the web is full of information, but it also has lots of false information. How do you tell the difference? This program looks at the problem of disinformation on the internet.
We are the children of Sea-Monkeys
From the BBC:
The hypothesis proposes that the physical characteristics that distinguish us from our nearest cousin apes - standing and moving bipedally, being naked and sweaty, our swimming and diving abilities, fat babies, big brains and language - all of these and others are best explained as adaptations to a prolonged period of our evolutionary history being spent in and around the seashore and lake margins, not on the hot dry savannah or in the forest with the other apes.
The hypothesis proposes that the physical characteristics that distinguish us from our nearest cousin apes - standing and moving bipedally, being naked and sweaty, our swimming and diving abilities, fat babies, big brains and language - all of these and others are best explained as adaptations to a prolonged period of our evolutionary history being spent in and around the seashore and lake margins, not on the hot dry savannah or in the forest with the other apes.
Fucking Shark-Taser Suit
United States Patent Application: 0050197686
Another advantage of the technology of the present invention, apart from its portability and cost, is that if the shark will bite into the wet suit, an electrical shock will be discharged into its mouth in direct proportional with the bite size.
Another advantage of the technology of the present invention, apart from its portability and cost, is that if the shark will bite into the wet suit, an electrical shock will be discharged into its mouth in direct proportional with the bite size.
The FBI's XXX-Files
From the Washington Post:
The new squad will divert eight agents, a supervisor and assorted support staff to gather evidence against "manufacturers and purveyors" of pornography -- not the kind exploiting children, but the kind that depicts, and is marketed to, consenting adults.
"I guess this means we've won the war on terror," said one exasperated FBI agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity because poking fun at headquarters is not regarded as career-enhancing. "We must not need any more resources for espionage."
The new squad will divert eight agents, a supervisor and assorted support staff to gather evidence against "manufacturers and purveyors" of pornography -- not the kind exploiting children, but the kind that depicts, and is marketed to, consenting adults.
"I guess this means we've won the war on terror," said one exasperated FBI agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity because poking fun at headquarters is not regarded as career-enhancing. "We must not need any more resources for espionage."
My first reaction: "Whaaatuh?"
An enormous pink bunny has been erected on an Italian mountainside where it will stay for the next 20 years.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Prescription pills turn elderly into lecherous gamblers
From the Houston Press:
In July psychologist M. Leann Dodd of the Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic published a report in the Archives of Neurology that took the Stacy study a step further. During a two-year span Dodd treated 11 Parkinson's patients who became pathological gamblers. In nine of those cases, the patients were prescribed the dopamine agonist Mirapex, or pramipexole dihydrochloride. Mirapex, in particular, Dodd found, had the greatest potential to wreak havoc on the brain's limbic system -- the area related to pleasure, mood and disinhibition.
In July psychologist M. Leann Dodd of the Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic published a report in the Archives of Neurology that took the Stacy study a step further. During a two-year span Dodd treated 11 Parkinson's patients who became pathological gamblers. In nine of those cases, the patients were prescribed the dopamine agonist Mirapex, or pramipexole dihydrochloride. Mirapex, in particular, Dodd found, had the greatest potential to wreak havoc on the brain's limbic system -- the area related to pleasure, mood and disinhibition.
Ministry of Truth for Hire
From Slate:
"If your definition of propaganda is framing communications to do something that's going to save lives, that's fine," says Mark Broughton, SCL's public affairs director. "That's not a word I would use for that."
Then again, it's hard to know exactly what else to call it. (Company literature describes SCL's niche specialties as "psychological warfare," "public diplomacy," and "influence operations.")
Just in case you wanted to pull of an 'influence operation', here's their website.
I'd love this if it weren't so horrible.
"If your definition of propaganda is framing communications to do something that's going to save lives, that's fine," says Mark Broughton, SCL's public affairs director. "That's not a word I would use for that."
Then again, it's hard to know exactly what else to call it. (Company literature describes SCL's niche specialties as "psychological warfare," "public diplomacy," and "influence operations.")
Just in case you wanted to pull of an 'influence operation', here's their website.
I'd love this if it weren't so horrible.
MMORPG finally starts spreading social diseases
From Shack News:
Heres the skinny: Blizzard adds in a new instance, Zul'Gurub. Inside is the god of blood, Hakkar. Well, when you fight him he has a debuff called Corrputed Blood. It does like 250-350 damage to palyers and affects nearby players. The amazing thing is SOME PLAYERS have brought this disease (and it is a disease) back to the towns, outside of the instance. It starts spreading amongst the genral population including npcs, who can out generate the damage. Some servers have gotten so bad that you can't go into the major cities without getting the plague (and anyone less than like level 50 nearly immediately die).
***
Should I mention that I do have a big interest in strange things that happen in MMORPG's? I'm sure that very few of you care about this, and are only here for flying devil fish and kickboxing dogs.
Heres the skinny: Blizzard adds in a new instance, Zul'Gurub. Inside is the god of blood, Hakkar. Well, when you fight him he has a debuff called Corrputed Blood. It does like 250-350 damage to palyers and affects nearby players. The amazing thing is SOME PLAYERS have brought this disease (and it is a disease) back to the towns, outside of the instance. It starts spreading amongst the genral population including npcs, who can out generate the damage. Some servers have gotten so bad that you can't go into the major cities without getting the plague (and anyone less than like level 50 nearly immediately die).
***
Should I mention that I do have a big interest in strange things that happen in MMORPG's? I'm sure that very few of you care about this, and are only here for flying devil fish and kickboxing dogs.
One step closer to Master Chief, baby
From Defense Tech:
The effort is called "Hot Eagle," and it could be the first step forward in the Marine Corps' hopes for space travel. Within minutes of bursting into the atmosphere beyond the speed of sound -- and dispatching that ominous sonic boom -- a small squad of Marines could be on the ground and ready to take care of business within 2 hours.
The effort is called "Hot Eagle," and it could be the first step forward in the Marine Corps' hopes for space travel. Within minutes of bursting into the atmosphere beyond the speed of sound -- and dispatching that ominous sonic boom -- a small squad of Marines could be on the ground and ready to take care of business within 2 hours.
Troy's Weather Report, Sept. 19, 2005
As a side note, it turns out I really didn't need to do the whole quiz thing today.
Fucking rock.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
The Guilty Parties
So I've been listening to Rage Against the Machine a lot lately.
I think you should be, too.
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Wake Up
Killing in the Name of
I think you should be, too.
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Wake Up
Killing in the Name of
"I went down there to help. All I did was get the runaround from FEMA."
The NYT times delivered an article on pathetic Federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
Blah3.com is kind enough to give us the highlights.
Blah3.com is kind enough to give us the highlights.
Antartica melts for your SUV
From the Independant:
"This will be four Septembers in a row that we've seen a downward trend. The feeling is we are reaching a tipping point or threshold beyond which sea ice will not recover."
"This will be four Septembers in a row that we've seen a downward trend. The feeling is we are reaching a tipping point or threshold beyond which sea ice will not recover."
"I am sure that the U.S. presence will increase."
From Toward Freedom:
The tri-border area is home to the Guarani Aquifer, one of the world’s largest reserves of water. Near the Estigarribia airbase are Bolivia’s natural gas reserves, the second largest in Latin America. Political analysts believe U.S. operations in Paraguay are part of a preventative war to control these natural resources and suppress social uprisings in Bolivia.
The tri-border area is home to the Guarani Aquifer, one of the world’s largest reserves of water. Near the Estigarribia airbase are Bolivia’s natural gas reserves, the second largest in Latin America. Political analysts believe U.S. operations in Paraguay are part of a preventative war to control these natural resources and suppress social uprisings in Bolivia.
Friday, September 16, 2005
The Human Thunderbolt from Down Under
From the Advertiser:
Frank Clewer, from Dennington in the south-west of the state, left a trail of burned carpet and molten plastic through the nearby city of Warrnambool.
Authorities later tested his polar-fleece jacket using a device that measures static electricity, and said the dial initially went off the scale before settling on a figure greater than 30,000 volts.
Frank Clewer, from Dennington in the south-west of the state, left a trail of burned carpet and molten plastic through the nearby city of Warrnambool.
Authorities later tested his polar-fleece jacket using a device that measures static electricity, and said the dial initially went off the scale before settling on a figure greater than 30,000 volts.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Even more comics I want to read
Smoke and Guns
These random shots of comics are getting old fast. I going to subscribe or at least read the local comic book stores releases, and see if any of it gets my attention.
Speaking of the local comic book store...Muse Comics of Missoula.
Endorse an American Taliban
Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania: "Every time protesters gather outside of our Locust Street health center, our patients face verbal attacks from them. They see graphic signs meant to confuse and intimidate. They are sometimes blocked from entering the building and occasionally they are videotaped. They are offered anti-choice propaganda and free rides to the closest 'crisis pregnancy
center.'
Staff and volunteers are also seen as targets. We are all called murderers, are lectured to about committing sins, and are told we will pay the 'ultimate price' for our actions.
You can stand with others in the community against these
acts of intimidation and harassment
Here's how it works: You decide on the amount you would like to pledge for each
protester (minimum 10 cents). When protesters show up on our sidewalks, Planned
Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania will count and record their number each day from October 1 through November 30, 2005. We will place a signoutside the health center that tracks pledges and makes protesters fully aware that their actions are benefiting PPSP. At the end of the two-month campaign, we will send you an update on protest activities and a pledge reminder.
Example:
If you pledge 30 cents per protester, and PPSP has 100 protesters in October and 160
protesters in November, your donation would be 78 dollars for the entire two-month campaign.
Similar to sponsoring a runner in a charity marathon, your pledge total can be capped at a pre-set amount, if desired."
center.'
Staff and volunteers are also seen as targets. We are all called murderers, are lectured to about committing sins, and are told we will pay the 'ultimate price' for our actions.
You can stand with others in the community against these
acts of intimidation and harassment
Here's how it works: You decide on the amount you would like to pledge for each
protester (minimum 10 cents). When protesters show up on our sidewalks, Planned
Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania will count and record their number each day from October 1 through November 30, 2005. We will place a signoutside the health center that tracks pledges and makes protesters fully aware that their actions are benefiting PPSP. At the end of the two-month campaign, we will send you an update on protest activities and a pledge reminder.
Example:
If you pledge 30 cents per protester, and PPSP has 100 protesters in October and 160
protesters in November, your donation would be 78 dollars for the entire two-month campaign.
Similar to sponsoring a runner in a charity marathon, your pledge total can be capped at a pre-set amount, if desired."
Future matchbox pumps LSD right into Troy's heart and brain meat, oh yes
From Popular Science:
The pattern is familiar: Researchers develop a technology or drug to aid the ailing. Soon thereafter, healthy people co-opt it to make themselves stronger, faster or smarter. Follow this trend far enough, and we reach the augmented human.
The pattern is familiar: Researchers develop a technology or drug to aid the ailing. Soon thereafter, healthy people co-opt it to make themselves stronger, faster or smarter. Follow this trend far enough, and we reach the augmented human.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Mexican Mummies
This region's climate is conducive to mummification--the liquification of fat and the drying of body tissue. One mummy is a woman accused of sorcery, is still identified as a witch.
My school turns fascist, School President up to something
From the Kaiman:
Faculty and staff at the University of Montana aren’t to comment on “significant matters of policy and public interest,” according to the new UM news policy released Monday.
In such matters, the University president is UM’s representative, the policy says.
“He’s the official spokesperson for the University regarding anything significant,” said Rita Munzenrider, director of University Relations.
also:
The new version of the policy also took out a paragraph about the University respecting and complying with constitutional requirements for open meetings and records.
“I think that was an oversight,” Munzenrider said. “That should be in there.”
Faculty and staff at the University of Montana aren’t to comment on “significant matters of policy and public interest,” according to the new UM news policy released Monday.
In such matters, the University president is UM’s representative, the policy says.
“He’s the official spokesperson for the University regarding anything significant,” said Rita Munzenrider, director of University Relations.
also:
The new version of the policy also took out a paragraph about the University respecting and complying with constitutional requirements for open meetings and records.
“I think that was an oversight,” Munzenrider said. “That should be in there.”
Monday, September 12, 2005
The sound of a picture of one hand clapping
SoundOfAnImage converts images into music. Sometimes the "music" even sounds like music, especially if you play images with a lot of structure and/or symmetry to them.
I remember there being a bit of a problem with virtue uno, Benjie
Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring; Never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Wuxtrey, wuxtrey: God kills for public housing reform
From The Raw Story:
Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did."
Rep. Baker of Baton Rouge is overheard telling lobbyists: "We finally cleaned up public housing in New Orleans. We couldn't do it, but God did."
Govt' dislikes bad image that reality portrays, tries to stop media, media says "Hey, fuckers!!"
September 9, 2005
To: CNN Staff
From: Jim Walton
=============================
In response to official statements earlier today that news media would be excluded from covering the victim recovery process in New Orleans and surrounding areas on the suggestion that what is reported may offend viewers' or victims' sensibilities, CNN has filed a lawsuit in federal court to prohibit any agency from restricting its ability to fully and fairly cover this story.
As seen most recently from war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq, from tsunami-ravaged South Asia and from Hurricane Katrina's landfall along the Gulf, CNN has shown that it is capable of balancing vigorous reporting with respect for private concerns. Government officials cannot be allowed to hinder the free flow of information to the public, and CNN will not let such a decision stand without challenge.
To: CNN Staff
From: Jim Walton
=============================
In response to official statements earlier today that news media would be excluded from covering the victim recovery process in New Orleans and surrounding areas on the suggestion that what is reported may offend viewers' or victims' sensibilities, CNN has filed a lawsuit in federal court to prohibit any agency from restricting its ability to fully and fairly cover this story.
As seen most recently from war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq, from tsunami-ravaged South Asia and from Hurricane Katrina's landfall along the Gulf, CNN has shown that it is capable of balancing vigorous reporting with respect for private concerns. Government officials cannot be allowed to hinder the free flow of information to the public, and CNN will not let such a decision stand without challenge.
Beam me up, Scotty
I'm gonna punch you with my flashlight from across the room:
The team, led by Professor David Leigh, covered a gold Teflon-like surface with specially-engineered synthetic molecular "shuttles", the components of which move up and down by a millionth of a millimetre when exposed to light.
So when they place water droplets on the surface and then stimulate it with ultra-violet light, the changes alter the surface tension of the liquid and this creates enough energy to move the droplet a distance of up to a millimetre.
Although the movement is tiny, it represents a great technological leap in the new emerging field of nanotechnology, the manipulation of materials at scales of a millionth of a millimetre.
The team, led by Professor David Leigh, covered a gold Teflon-like surface with specially-engineered synthetic molecular "shuttles", the components of which move up and down by a millionth of a millimetre when exposed to light.
So when they place water droplets on the surface and then stimulate it with ultra-violet light, the changes alter the surface tension of the liquid and this creates enough energy to move the droplet a distance of up to a millimetre.
Although the movement is tiny, it represents a great technological leap in the new emerging field of nanotechnology, the manipulation of materials at scales of a millionth of a millimetre.
Crash Course in Katrina Code
From Boing Boing:
The "X" means a search has taken place. Date and time of search are also noted; "LB" with a number indicates number of living bodies encountered; "DB" with a number indicates the number of dead bodies. The teams carry GPS devices to identify and note the locations they've inspected.
The "X" means a search has taken place. Date and time of search are also noted; "LB" with a number indicates number of living bodies encountered; "DB" with a number indicates the number of dead bodies. The teams carry GPS devices to identify and note the locations they've inspected.
Power bill solved by weekend walks?
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man
How the US Uses Globalization to Cheat Poor Countries Out of Trillions
Interview with John Perkins by Ant Goodman
Interview with John Perkins by Ant Goodman
An Article I want to read later
dirtSimple.org: The Multiple Self
Wave "your" hand at the screen. Do it now.
Who waved your hand? Was it you? Could you have? Do "you" know how to wave your hand? Of course not. "You" don't know how to do anything, but "yourself" does.
Wave "your" hand at the screen. Do it now.
Who waved your hand? Was it you? Could you have? Do "you" know how to wave your hand? Of course not. "You" don't know how to do anything, but "yourself" does.
Self-Healing Spacecraft inspired by Ant Society
From New Scientist:
The team at CSIRO, Australia's national research organisation, is working with NASA on the project and has so far created a model skin made up of 192 separate cells. Behind each cell is an impact sensor and a processor equipped with algorithms that allow it to communicate only with its immediate neighbours. Just as ants secrete pheromones to help guide other ants to food, the CSIRO algorithms leave digital messages in cells around the system, indicating for instance the position of the boundary around a damaged region. The cell's processor can use this information to route data around the affected area.
The team at CSIRO, Australia's national research organisation, is working with NASA on the project and has so far created a model skin made up of 192 separate cells. Behind each cell is an impact sensor and a processor equipped with algorithms that allow it to communicate only with its immediate neighbours. Just as ants secrete pheromones to help guide other ants to food, the CSIRO algorithms leave digital messages in cells around the system, indicating for instance the position of the boundary around a damaged region. The cell's processor can use this information to route data around the affected area.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Mercenaries given carte blanche in New Orleans
Just think about that. Men paid to kill are roaming New Orleans.
"This is a totally new thing to have guys like us working CONUS (Continental United States)," a heavily armed Blackwater mercenary told us as we stood on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. "We're much better equipped to deal with the situation in Iraq."
"This is a totally new thing to have guys like us working CONUS (Continental United States)," a heavily armed Blackwater mercenary told us as we stood on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. "We're much better equipped to deal with the situation in Iraq."
mp3 blog aggregators
I spent the better part of an hour collecting this, simply so I could increase the amount of random music I come across. If you few readers out there enjoy this, lemme know or something.
Ämpäri
Berkleyplace
Fingertips
Hellthy
Lupatarkastaja
I'm a Cuckoo
Mixtaper Community
MP34U
My Old Kentucky Blog
Oddio Overplay
Totally Fuzzy
The Hype Machine
The Red Ferret Journal
Veritas Lux Mea: Texass two step
V23
Senses Working Overtime
Some Velvet Blog
Smart-music.net
Web-Nymph New Music
Zero Transmission
*Hip/Ster/Eo
Ämpäri
Berkleyplace
Fingertips
Hellthy
Lupatarkastaja
I'm a Cuckoo
Mixtaper Community
MP34U
My Old Kentucky Blog
Oddio Overplay
Totally Fuzzy
The Hype Machine
The Red Ferret Journal
Veritas Lux Mea: Texass two step
V23
Senses Working Overtime
Some Velvet Blog
Smart-music.net
Web-Nymph New Music
Zero Transmission
*Hip/Ster/Eo
Friday, September 09, 2005
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Susan Wood Interview from the Village Voice
The Stalling of Plan B Forces Personal Plan C
Q: Has it been harder to approve new products under the Bush administration?
A: Rulemaking and regulation has slowed—in most cases, but not all cases. I’m trying to avoid—I don’t want to be someone who says it was politicized. I don’t know. I wasn’t consulted. I wasn’t in any discussions. I wasn’t in the room. That’s part of the problem. They wouldn’t consult the director of the Office of Women’s Health for such a decision.
Q: Has it been harder to approve new products under the Bush administration?
A: Rulemaking and regulation has slowed—in most cases, but not all cases. I’m trying to avoid—I don’t want to be someone who says it was politicized. I don’t know. I wasn’t consulted. I wasn’t in any discussions. I wasn’t in the room. That’s part of the problem. They wouldn’t consult the director of the Office of Women’s Health for such a decision.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
LOCAL: the official press release
Yet more comics I must read:
"For a while now I've been a little obsessed with the idea of locations and hometowns and what that means to people,” Wood explained. “I explored it a little in DEMO, but the more I thought about it, the more ideas I had, and I thought they deserved a series. I'm deliberately staying away from larger cities like New York and San Francisco, and instead choosing smaller places, college towns with cool 'local' scenes. We start off in Portland, OR and move to Minneapolis, and so on. I'll probably break my own rule and set one in Brooklyn, though, as I've just moved back here and love it so much."
"For a while now I've been a little obsessed with the idea of locations and hometowns and what that means to people,” Wood explained. “I explored it a little in DEMO, but the more I thought about it, the more ideas I had, and I thought they deserved a series. I'm deliberately staying away from larger cities like New York and San Francisco, and instead choosing smaller places, college towns with cool 'local' scenes. We start off in Portland, OR and move to Minneapolis, and so on. I'll probably break my own rule and set one in Brooklyn, though, as I've just moved back here and love it so much."
Five Fists of Science
“The Five Fists of Science is the story of Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla teaming up to bring about world peace by compulsion-- and how that peace will interfere with the plans of an evil science cabal led by Thomas Edison,” says writer Matt (LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS) Fraction. “An all-out war between magic and science is fought on the streets of New York City in 1899, and it is an absolutely true story, up to a point.”
This is a comic I shall get. Oh, how I shall.
This is a comic I shall get. Oh, how I shall.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Lifeboat Foundation
The Lifeboat Foundation is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, dedicated to providing solutions that will safeguard humanity from the growing threat of terrorism and technological cataclysm. This humanitarian organization is pursuing all possible options, including self-sustaining technologies using AI and nanotechnology, with an emphasis on self-contained space arks.
Fight the Flood
Help support the American Red Cross in its efforts to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina. Bungie Studios and the Bungie Store will be donating at least $15 from each shirt sold which will go straight to the Red Cross and directly to the disaster relief. Everything you can do to help will make a difference.
Why did God put OUR oil under THEIR soil?!
Bu$h gives new reason for Iraq war
Keep that in mind when you see limbless soldiers.
I feel like mentioning that my family can't visit me next weekend because gas is too damned expensive.
I could really go for unconciousness right about now.
Keep that in mind when you see limbless soldiers.
I feel like mentioning that my family can't visit me next weekend because gas is too damned expensive.
I could really go for unconciousness right about now.
CNN grows a pair
The big disconnect on New Orleans
I don't understand just how the fuck people can even try to spin this kind of stuff.
But then again, I like sleeping at night.
I don't understand just how the fuck people can even try to spin this kind of stuff.
But then again, I like sleeping at night.
Ready for a bit of the new Ultra-Violence?
First Person Shooters are one of the most enduringly popular game genres. Now, for the first time, anyone can make their own action packed FPS games without any programming or 3D modelling knowledge.
Bringing a new benchmark to game creation, the innovative and multi-featured FPS Creator has been three years in development and offers an easy, yet flexible editing environment where you can achieve high quality gaming result in no time at all.
Bringing a new benchmark to game creation, the innovative and multi-featured FPS Creator has been three years in development and offers an easy, yet flexible editing environment where you can achieve high quality gaming result in no time at all.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Action Speedo!
So Ang Bak is finally coming to America, after I originally watched the preview for it last summer with Lenzy Khreibel.
I just can't wait. Instead of linking to the new trailer, I'm putting up the one I saw first. The undisputed Trailer of Ass-Kickery, withlegs-literally-on-fire roundhouse kicks, exploding golf carts, and some language barriers. Tony Jaa is just insane...
Click on this and turn up the speakers.
I just can't wait. Instead of linking to the new trailer, I'm putting up the one I saw first. The undisputed Trailer of Ass-Kickery, withlegs-literally-on-fire roundhouse kicks, exploding golf carts, and some language barriers. Tony Jaa is just insane...
Click on this and turn up the speakers.
There is no cure for fools
I watched Yojimbo last night. It's the best movie I've seen in a while, and I highly recommend it. Especially if you're a big fan of samurai, violence, and gallows humor on par with EMT personnel.
The Safety Smock
Purpose: To safely provide warmth and modesty for suicidal individuals in locked facilities. The garment is designed to eliminate features that make other clothing potential weapons of self-harm.
Description: A simple, sturdily quilted, collarless, sleeveless, gown with adjustable openings at the shoulders and down the front that are closed with nylon hook-and-loop fasteners.
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About Me
- Troy
- I'm Troy Doney. I'm on the internet. I'm the writer of the blog "Off the Reservation" at New West. I also write a blog at Reznet. My personal blog is Man Bites Dog. I post my pictures at Flickr and I write short sentences at Twitter.