If you’ve been reading any of these posts you might be able to guess my reaction when ever I see some product in a store with the label on it “As Seen On TV,” as if that’s a selling point. In case it isn’t obvious, what’s my reaction? I Read more…
I was reminded of an old(-ish) quote by the science writer, college professor, general Know-It-All, considered one of the smartest people of the 20th century, Dr. Isaac Asimov. Anytime you watch a movie or TV sci-fi where some one is quoting that a robot “can not harm a Human, or Read more…
I find it almost infinitely distressing to realize that our culture has no requirements for sanity, mental health, rationality or intelligence, for assuming any of the High Offices in the government. No sanity requirements. Huh? In fact, if you look closer, we don’t really even have a definition for sanity, Read more…
I try to avoid commenting directly on current political happenings, as I have no wish to further divide this already way too divided country (meaning America, in this case). Way too polarized, like we’re not a nation any more but two camps who just hate each other passionately yet are Read more…
In the 2nd Aliens movie (called, oddly enough, Aliens) they introduced a term that seems to have been universally misunderstood. “Xenomorph.” This has been taken to be the name of the face-hugging species from the Alien franchise. Does no one speak any Latin or Greek any more? Or even listen closely Read more…
There are many things Hollywood SciFi fails to do well. A great many. Some of the SciFi vids that do (more or less) well on the screen wouldn’t even get published in the legitimate SciFi industry (literature, dig?). Ok, fine. Two different standards, live with it. There is one thing Read more…
I’m going to mention a moment in History, and you can draw your own inferences as to whether I’m also discussing something current or not. The problem with history is that people think it’s Old, Dead, and Irrelevant to the present moment. I can tell you, however, that history always Read more…
Friend of mine was telling me a story about his insurance company(1). He took out an insurance policy for his car. Over the first year his rates kept going up. He called them to ask why: no tickets, no claims, no nothing, why are the rates going up? The agent Read more…
I see many books, lots of debate societies and lots of disinformation / misinformation about Capitalism, what it is, whether it’s Good or Bad, and so on. It’s really very simple. Start with merchants, tradesmen, farmers and ranchers who have goods and services to offer. People can simply swap goods Read more…
I happened to re-watch Star Trek V the other day(1) and was reminded of just how bad it is. Surely one of the all time bad movies (of which there are more than a few, unfortunately). It is amazing that Star Trek as a franchise survived. That Next Generation, DS9, Read more…
Be the Enemy of Totalitarianism, Totalitarian Governments, bloated bureaucracy, rule-bound work places… any where run-away Authoritarianism rears its head. For that way lies madness, destruction, annihilation. Just ask all such regimes of the past, all the dictatorships, fascisms, communisms, empires, corrupted republics and such in history. They failed, and they Read more…
Most numbers, as reported in the media, advertising, “news” and so on — even in “professional” papers — have little or no actual meaning. Example: “Four out of five doctors…” finish that sentence any way you want. Short version: it has no meaning without the following additional data: how many Read more…
Short version: cut it out! Longer version: in this day and age, with the culture as it is around scam phone calls (takers and fakers), don’t you realize that with EVERY unsolicited phone call it must be assumed that you are naught but a Thief? Some of you are for Read more…
I have a proposal. One that might alter the face of Human endeavors forever, and it needs only your cooperation. When ever any company calls you or emails you, when you did not contact them first, Boycott! Whether they are offering you insurance, loans, website design or “the candidate of Read more…
Rant Mode: On Yeah, ok. I rant about Microsoft rather a lot. But that’s because (among other things) I am a long time technology professional. Computer designer. Software designer. Programmer of several sorts. Amateur futurist. Plus. I’ve been doing these things for over 40 years. When I see the “big Read more…
I hear sometimes folks say “this is the Big Boys’ table now.” It is usually said to justify outrageously rude behavior and a very narrow, exclusive culture among the folks at that “table.” Hollywood likes to use “the Big Boys table” especially in thing like Espionage, or what passes for Read more…
Run screaming from any DVD / Movie that says “unrated edition.” All it is is an attempt to get you to purchase it / stream it yet again. They add 5 minutes of benign footage, picked at random from what ever fell on the editing room floor(1) and then just Read more…
There is so much that could be said on this topic: an honest [American] election. However, I’m going to keep it simple. Jimmy Carter, former American president, Nobel Peace Prize winner, etc, among other things has an outfit whose service (to nations) is to guarantee honest and accurate election results. Read more…
There was a truly great “horror” movie made back around 1963 called The Haunting. I was derived from the Shirley Jackson short story of the same name. Claire Bloom and various brand name actors, plus a director who was truly inspired made it a great romp in thriller / suspence. I Read more…
Ok, different topic. I was again watching 1776, the musical from 1972 (more or less) in celebration of America’s Bicentennial. Very well made movie. Historically accurate (*especially* for a movie) though scarcely complete. For instance, Sam Adams’ contributions are completely ignored, and — as it turns out — he was Read more…