I didn't really have anything planned for today. No stupidity to point out. But then I stopped in to see if Kanrei was out of turkey coma, and found out that he had done it for me. Way to go Brad.
Check it out here: The Kanrei Home for Wayward Lemmings: Fundamentally Babbling about Faith
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Kicking the Sacred Cow
If you’ve looked over my recently read books list on the sidebar, you’ll already know that one of the last ten books I’ve read was Kicking the Sacred Cow by James P Hogan. And though my blog is dedicated to pointing out the actions of the idiots and morons of this world (and those who support them), I also feel it is my duty to point out those who are fed up with the bullshit and are doing something about it. With that in mind, here are my thoughts on Mr. Hogan’s book.
I honestly had no expectations going into this book. I’ve never read any of his science fiction; hard sci-fi doesn’t interest me often—Asimov puts me to sleep. But I am interested in science, and even more in kicking sacred cows (if they need kicking), so it was natural for me to not only pick up this book but buy it. All of the above said, and having read the book, I am surprised it was published. That is not a shot at Mr. Hogan but praise for Baen Books. It took guts to publish this book.
James P. Hogan writes here about the politicalization of science, and about how speaking against the accepted politically-correct view—even with supporting evidence—is the equivalent of peer-assisted suicide (luckily Mr. Hogan is a fiction writer and can get away with this exposé of bad science).
I am not a scientist (nor do I claim to be one or play one on TV) but as a researcher I can see that Mr. Hogan has done his homework in the area. All of his information is cited (section notation), and I had only a little difficulty in following the technical information contained within what I feel is an entertaining read. I would love to hear the thoughts of any scientist open-minded enough to read this book.
If you have any interest in science—theoretical, physical, environmental, or even medical—there is something here for you. Go get a copy of James P. Hogan’s Kicking the Sacred Cow and tell me what you think.
I honestly had no expectations going into this book. I’ve never read any of his science fiction; hard sci-fi doesn’t interest me often—Asimov puts me to sleep. But I am interested in science, and even more in kicking sacred cows (if they need kicking), so it was natural for me to not only pick up this book but buy it. All of the above said, and having read the book, I am surprised it was published. That is not a shot at Mr. Hogan but praise for Baen Books. It took guts to publish this book.
James P. Hogan writes here about the politicalization of science, and about how speaking against the accepted politically-correct view—even with supporting evidence—is the equivalent of peer-assisted suicide (luckily Mr. Hogan is a fiction writer and can get away with this exposé of bad science).
I am not a scientist (nor do I claim to be one or play one on TV) but as a researcher I can see that Mr. Hogan has done his homework in the area. All of his information is cited (section notation), and I had only a little difficulty in following the technical information contained within what I feel is an entertaining read. I would love to hear the thoughts of any scientist open-minded enough to read this book.
If you have any interest in science—theoretical, physical, environmental, or even medical—there is something here for you. Go get a copy of James P. Hogan’s Kicking the Sacred Cow and tell me what you think.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
So, how much does it cost to insult you? (You can insult me for free.)
Commenting on this is going to ruin my reputation, draw enemies, and possibly get me kicked off Blogger…Okay, I’m convinced.
I wasn’t going to comment on the "Michael Richards Scandal," until I heard the two men he flambéed were thinking of suing him (if he didn’t allow some retired judge to set an amount for monetary damages). With the risk of starting a my-country-is-stupider-than-yours war with Romulus Crowe, this political correct bullshit has got to go. I’ve seen the tape, heard the commentary (can’t get away from it), and seen the interviews, and not once have I heard anyone tell these two losers to get over it.
There, I said it. I’m sorry, but "waah, waah, waah, he insulted me," isn’t a reason to sue somebody. Any judge that rules in their favor should be bullwhipped, shot, stabbed, hung, poisoned, and drawn and quartered. Give me a break. I understand wanting an apology, but money too? This wouldn’t even be an issue if the man wasn’t famous
But I’m not mad. I’m not going to go to Def Comedy Jam and heckle the man performing so he’ll insult me and I can sue him. Because unlike the two gentlemen in question here, I am not a low-life, opportunistic, money grubbing, piece of shit rolling down the gutter of life. Aw damn, now they’re going to sue me (or is all of that okay because I didn’t refer to the color of their skin).
Until they take it, I’ll be in my trailer.
I wasn’t going to comment on the "Michael Richards Scandal," until I heard the two men he flambéed were thinking of suing him (if he didn’t allow some retired judge to set an amount for monetary damages). With the risk of starting a my-country-is-stupider-than-yours war with Romulus Crowe, this political correct bullshit has got to go. I’ve seen the tape, heard the commentary (can’t get away from it), and seen the interviews, and not once have I heard anyone tell these two losers to get over it.
There, I said it. I’m sorry, but "waah, waah, waah, he insulted me," isn’t a reason to sue somebody. Any judge that rules in their favor should be bullwhipped, shot, stabbed, hung, poisoned, and drawn and quartered. Give me a break. I understand wanting an apology, but money too? This wouldn’t even be an issue if the man wasn’t famous
But I’m not mad. I’m not going to go to Def Comedy Jam and heckle the man performing so he’ll insult me and I can sue him. Because unlike the two gentlemen in question here, I am not a low-life, opportunistic, money grubbing, piece of shit rolling down the gutter of life. Aw damn, now they’re going to sue me (or is all of that okay because I didn’t refer to the color of their skin).
Until they take it, I’ll be in my trailer.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Marathon Running Causes Cancer
Austrian researchers have found that marathon runners have a higher incidence of skin cancer due to sun exposure than those that do not run marathons. My sensational title aside, isn’t that a tad obvious? I mean do we really need researchers to tell us this?
A marathon, for those of you who have lived in a cave since before the Roman Empire and yet still figured out how to use the internet, is a long run (roughly 26 miles). They are usually conducted in the summer which means lots of sunlight—although doing it in the snow would add a whole new degree of difficulty. Training for a marathon can run (groan) up to 100 miles a week
The average human walking speed is around four miles per hour (source: Stephen King’s The Long Walk). My brother, Steven, is in the Army; his average two-mile run time is 15 minutes (eight mile per hour). The world record for a marathon is a little over two hours (so about 13 miles per hour). So let’s say the average running speed for those interested in running is 10 mph.
The fuzzy math above gives you about two and a half hours in the sun for the marathon and 10 hours a week for the training phase. That’s just time spent running, that doesn’t include mowing the grass, pushing your kids on the swing in the park, and taking in an afternoon softball game. Haven’t scientists been telling us that long periods of exposure to sunlight cause skin cancer for over two decades now? Was I the only listening? Do they really need to do a study on this?
Stay tuned. Next week they will release a study telling us that fast food causes obesity. Although, these are the same people who change their minds every five years about the health benefits of eggs.
A marathon, for those of you who have lived in a cave since before the Roman Empire and yet still figured out how to use the internet, is a long run (roughly 26 miles). They are usually conducted in the summer which means lots of sunlight—although doing it in the snow would add a whole new degree of difficulty. Training for a marathon can run (groan) up to 100 miles a week
The average human walking speed is around four miles per hour (source: Stephen King’s The Long Walk). My brother, Steven, is in the Army; his average two-mile run time is 15 minutes (eight mile per hour). The world record for a marathon is a little over two hours (so about 13 miles per hour). So let’s say the average running speed for those interested in running is 10 mph.
The fuzzy math above gives you about two and a half hours in the sun for the marathon and 10 hours a week for the training phase. That’s just time spent running, that doesn’t include mowing the grass, pushing your kids on the swing in the park, and taking in an afternoon softball game. Haven’t scientists been telling us that long periods of exposure to sunlight cause skin cancer for over two decades now? Was I the only listening? Do they really need to do a study on this?
Stay tuned. Next week they will release a study telling us that fast food causes obesity. Although, these are the same people who change their minds every five years about the health benefits of eggs.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving
Today is Thanksgiving in America. For an excellent look into what that means for the average American, look here—and while you are there, check out the amazing photographs. I would be remiss if I did not include a list of things that I am thankful for. So, once again, Crowd goes left, and Victor grudgingly follows (Not too grudgingly, you understand, I agree with counting your blessings).
I am thankful for my family, including my little brother, Steven.
I am thankful for my friends (both real and imaginary).
I am thankful that I live in a country where I am allowed to complain about the state of affairs (The Zeitgeist Sucks)
I am thankful for the people who I meet each day or who touch my life from a distance (this includes all of you out there in bloggerland.
Most of all, I am thankful that I am me and not some sniveling, gibbering idiot (Like many in my Government).
I am thankful for my family, including my little brother, Steven.
I am thankful for my friends (both real and imaginary).
I am thankful that I live in a country where I am allowed to complain about the state of affairs (The Zeitgeist Sucks)
I am thankful for the people who I meet each day or who touch my life from a distance (this includes all of you out there in bloggerland.
Most of all, I am thankful that I am me and not some sniveling, gibbering idiot (Like many in my Government).
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
But I want to run away, and that should count for something
Okay! Okay! I’ll do it. Even though I would rather play chicken on a John Deer lawnmower against semi-trucks, I’ll blog if that is what you want me to do. I’ll take time out of my busy life and *Shudder* follow the crowd.
Blah, blah, blah.
Bullshit, I like technology as much as the next person and you know it. But when crowd goes right, Victor goes left. Besides, what do I have to say that isn’t already out there?
Blah, Blah, blah.
What? There are plenty of naysayers for every conceivable topic in existence, and just as many apologists. Why in the electric blue ether would I want to join their ranks?
Blah.
Because it makes you laugh. What a reason!
Blah. Blah. Blah, blah, blah.
Well why didn’t you say so in the first place? I can point out stupidity, and God knows, that is something that can never be done enough. But where will I get material?
Blah.
No! I won’t do it. I research enough at work without having to do it for some hair-brained scheme of yours.
Blah.
I know I read blogs all the time, but now you're talking about the *shudders again* news.
Blah.
Fine, but don’t expect me to post often. You’ll be lucky if I log on once a month.
Blah. Blah.
Yeah, you’re welcome.
***
Above is the conversation I had with my brother last week (paraphrased). He will call it an argument and refuse to post any comments here, but that suits me just fine. I didn’t want to do this anyway. I am here against my better judgment, but there you go.
I’ll be in my trailer.
Blah, blah, blah.
Bullshit, I like technology as much as the next person and you know it. But when crowd goes right, Victor goes left. Besides, what do I have to say that isn’t already out there?
Blah, Blah, blah.
What? There are plenty of naysayers for every conceivable topic in existence, and just as many apologists. Why in the electric blue ether would I want to join their ranks?
Blah.
Because it makes you laugh. What a reason!
Blah. Blah. Blah, blah, blah.
Well why didn’t you say so in the first place? I can point out stupidity, and God knows, that is something that can never be done enough. But where will I get material?
Blah.
No! I won’t do it. I research enough at work without having to do it for some hair-brained scheme of yours.
Blah.
I know I read blogs all the time, but now you're talking about the *shudders again* news.
Blah.
Fine, but don’t expect me to post often. You’ll be lucky if I log on once a month.
Blah. Blah.
Yeah, you’re welcome.
***
Above is the conversation I had with my brother last week (paraphrased). He will call it an argument and refuse to post any comments here, but that suits me just fine. I didn’t want to do this anyway. I am here against my better judgment, but there you go.
I’ll be in my trailer.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
My introduction to blogging; Take Two (or, Things never seem to work out the first time)
Thus is the story of my life. I joined Blogger against my will, and now I can’t get it to work. Stop me if you’ve heard this…
I created a blog when I joined. I called it, “Runaway Toad.” As soon as I logged off, it ran away. I hadn’t even posted anything yet. I wanted to compose my thoughts first. The next day I go back, log in, and I have no blogs. Wtf.
I can find the blog. It says that the owner is “Victor Allen Winters.” I check the name sewn into the lining of my undershorts, and sure enough, my name is Victor Allen Winters (that or BVD). So I email Blogger and wait. While I wait, I browse around looking at all of the blogs and guess what I find out? For possibly the first time in my life, I’m not the only one with this problem.
So what do I do? Do I continue waiting for the powers that be to decide whether or not to return my blog to my eager, grasping hands? Or do I create a new one and continue on? I’ll miss the name—I agonized over it—but the answer should be obvious by now.
My next post was take one—I’m taking five.
I’ll be in my trailer.
I created a blog when I joined. I called it, “Runaway Toad.” As soon as I logged off, it ran away. I hadn’t even posted anything yet. I wanted to compose my thoughts first. The next day I go back, log in, and I have no blogs. Wtf.
I can find the blog. It says that the owner is “Victor Allen Winters.” I check the name sewn into the lining of my undershorts, and sure enough, my name is Victor Allen Winters (that or BVD). So I email Blogger and wait. While I wait, I browse around looking at all of the blogs and guess what I find out? For possibly the first time in my life, I’m not the only one with this problem.
So what do I do? Do I continue waiting for the powers that be to decide whether or not to return my blog to my eager, grasping hands? Or do I create a new one and continue on? I’ll miss the name—I agonized over it—but the answer should be obvious by now.
My next post was take one—I’m taking five.
I’ll be in my trailer.
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