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Ever since I posted "Interval Library" yesterday, people have been sending me more librarian humor. Today, we have an international contender, supplied by constant reader John Marks.
I usually go into the Grammy telecast with much cynicism already on edge and a large glass of some variety of fermented libation standing by for medicinal purposes.
I also admit that I get a perverse pleasure out of the pompous–assed music biz ego parade. Note to presenters and recipients: real stars do not feel compelled to get all giddy and cool when they're on stage. Actually most real music talents don't go anywhere near the Grammies.
But back to the telecast. This year, as pathetically depleted as the music biz talent pool is, I have to say that the Dixie Chicks sweep was…
Mapsofwar.com has posted a nifty animated map showing the imperial history of the Middle East: the rise and fall of empires and states in the region over 5000 years. There are other, similar maps at the website, showing, among other things,the ebb and flow of religions over the ages.
Lewis Menand ruminates on notable quotables and why accuracy is over-rated.
"What Michael Douglas did say in Wall Street was 'Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.' That was not a quotable quote; it needed some editorial attention, the consequence of which is that everyone distinctly remembers Michael Douglas uttering the words 'Greed is good' in Wall Street, just as everyone distinctly remembers Ingrid Bergman uttering the words 'Play it again, Sam' in Casablanca even though what she really utters is 'Play it, Sam.' When you watch the movie and get to that line, you don’t think your…
Having re-read my entry concerning the Attention Screen concert, I realize that it may sound as though I didn't like the performance. This, however, is not the case. I liked it very much. I enjoyed it. I even had a good time.
There've just been some things running through my mind. Things. Oh, for lack of better word! Things. What are these things? Inner things and outer things — what are they, but things and things?
Who wrote that? I can't remember. Maybe it was me. Maybe it was Walt Whitman.
Things, I should clarify, concerning communication and the…
Clarke Bustard 'fesses up that classical music is a niche market. But, he argues, these days, what isn't?
No, not that one, Hewlett-Packard. consumerist.com gives you the skinny on HP printers. I can second tip #10: Do not yell at the CSR. Patient intransigence goes a long way towards getting what you want—making you happy eventually is more efficient than continuing the conversation.
"Engineers from Medtronic disclosed a novel amplifier that is a key component in an implantable 'brain radio' the company is developing to monitor and control nervous disorders."
Forget the brain radio, most of us would rather have a brain amplifier.