Journal of No. 118

Caption Contest!

2009-12-11T01:17:46Z

Inglewood Fox Theater up for Auction

2009-12-11T00:12:28Z

Auction starts at $200K.

I say we make Dave J buy it. He'll probably go bonkers when he sees the projection room.

Casino Arcana

2009-12-10T23:05:44Z

Just got word that my live game is approved for Wyrd Con, a LARP con here in SoCal next June. Casino Arcana will be a slightly expanded version of Casino Arcane, which has been run at a couple Maxi- and Meta- cons.
I dunno if it's a secret, but Wyrd Con will also, I think, be something of a coming out party for Enigma Live Game Labs, a nefarious consortium of fellow GMs that's self-assembling even as we speak. Er, even as I type. Even as you read? Whatever.

Piling on poor Dr. Dino

2009-12-10T01:01:20Z

Creationist Kent Hovind is already in jail until the middle of the Teens for tax fraud, and now to add insult to well-deserved injury, his Ph.D. dissertation has been posted online. His degree is in Christian Education from Patriot University, an unaccredited Christian college. And the diss reads like a 100 page long disorganized blog post from a creationist. Honestly, it's 50% sermon, 50% first-person, 50% creationist nonsense, adding up to 100% garbage. Reading it would probably cost me d6 SAN and d4 EDU, but just skimming it offers various morsels of amusement:

"It was Shintoism, based on evolution, that was responsible for Japan's actions in World War II."

"I don't want to sound like a crackpot, but actually we don't know that stars are billions of [light] years away."

"As I was thinking on this subject, I wrote a poem to try to explain this, comparing blind men and atheists.

[Crappy Poem]"

Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis & Christos H. Papadimitriou

2009-12-09T20:37:06Z

Logicomix: The Epic Search for Truth is a graphic novel that explores the Foundations of Mathematics. Sexy, I know! The story is told in an interwoven fashion, bouncing between a lecture given by Bertrand Russell around the time of the start of WWII, the recounting of his life's story (augmented somewhat to bring in some other mathematician/philosophers), and the self-referential story of the creation of the graphic novel itself, with the artists and writers appearing as characters.

One of the arguments among the creators is how much math/logic to put into the graphic novel. The winners in the battle aim fairly low, deciding to focus more on character. And certainly Russell is an interesting character, as are some of the other celebrity mathematicians who make an appearance. The novel tends to focus on the insanity that seems to go hand in hand with mathematical philosophy, and it's hard to dismiss the connection when you see the vast assemblage of nuts (or at least familial insanity) that are important to the story. Logicomix is not meant as a textbook or a history book, so it's unfair to judge it as one (though it does have an excellent glossary!). But I did feel a bit disappointed in the presentation of the ideas. Mathophobes may find this a plus.

So there remains the task of judging it as a graphic novel. I'm not a very good person for that task. I found it's meta-ness somewhat engaging; I enjoyed the story of Russell's life, though I'm disappointed to discover that some of the meetings portrayed in the book never happened. I enjoyed the allusions to the mathematics. But, as is my general opinion of graphic novels, the overall presentation feels shallow. However, my biggest beef is that I really felt let down by the finale, which attempts to draw parallels with the Oresteia. The story had built up some goodwill, but rather than a climax, I was treated to a poor and overlong analogy.

Here's a better review. It's better than mine, and reading it made me want to read Logicomix. Which means that review is better than Logicomix.

Oh those Democrats, throwing money at a problem

2009-12-09T18:27:06Z

I've been pretty ambivalent about the whole health care thingy. Especially since it seems to be more about health insurance than health care, but nevermind my ranting. At 2000 pages of political shenanigans, the odds that I understand the situation have dwindled to zero and the odds that I (and the nation) are going to get screwed are asymptotically approaching certainty. One of the things that sounded good were promises that health care costs would be controlled. Krugman points out that this is the good side of the bargain: controlled costs in exchange for expansion of coverage at our (the collective we's) cost. But Time has published an article discussing how the cost-controlling provisions are being sliced away and watered down, tipping the scales toward the bad side of the bargain:

The Senate version of the bill also requires that representatives of the drug industry, the diagnostic-equipment business and medical-device makers — all of which have a financial stake in the results of comparative-effectiveness research — hold seats on the governing board of the new agency in charge of it. The potential for conflict of interest has raised alarms among some in the research community. But Obama's top health adviser, Nancy-Ann DeParle, contends that it's a sign that some of comparative effectiveness's most ardent foes have come around to the idea that technologies and treatments have to prove themselves. "Ten years ago, most of the industry was dead set against this," she says. "Now they are saying, 'We want a seat at the table.' "

Of course they want a fucking seat at the table that decides whether the government will pay for the treatments they provide, you moron.

As I said, I don't understand the plan. I doubt anyone does. But I have a better grasp of money, politics and bullshit. And I see the balance tipping toward a bad bargain.

Informed and/or Ignorant opinions requested.

ETA: this is not to say that I am complacent with the status quo. I am not. I do not want things like this to happen. Yo, Congress, make it so.

"Grains of Paradise" by James Street

2009-12-08T04:10:41Z

GoP-a
Originally uploaded by Essentialsaltes

Click through for images - Click All Sizes to see it at a readable size.

"The Grains of Paradise" by James Street

2009-12-07T21:43:38Z

Some time ago, I mentioned this short story that I couldn't find anywhere, remembered from a long ago schoolbook. More recently, an anonymous poster added that he or she also remembered the story. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I had tracked the story down to an issue of the Saturday Evening Post from the 50's. That was going to run me $20-$30. So instead I found the very textbook for sale for $0.76. I ordered it. A week passes. No book. I happen to check my credit card info, and I see my money's been refunded. I ask. Apparently, they got the book and found it in an unsale-able condition. Another setback in my lifelong quest to find this story again. But, another copy of the textbook was available from another seller for the princely sum of $2.10, and now I have it in my hands. To sum up: I googled, I bought, I conquered.

The story is not quite how I remembered it. Nor is it particularly awesome on a re-read, but it does have its moments. I wonder if I read it when I was living in Wisconsin and homesick for California and Mexican food, and that's what made it more memorable. Apart from Taco Bell and a Mexican restaurant that closed after three months, there wasn't an avocado or tortilla within twenty miles of me [the story offers glosses and pronunciation for both of those exotic words] Anyway, for everyone, all two of us, who remembered this story fondly from a schoolbook 30 years ago and can't find it, I offer a copyright-violating treat:

I do not like stories that suggest one thing and mean another and so, right off, I want you to know that the grains of paradise are the seeds of little hot peppers, very hot; and that this is a story about some fiery little peppers and some people in the village of Feliz, which is down in Mexico's state of Tabasco and nine hundred miles from nowhere.

The hotel was on a corner when I was there years ago, and across the way was a church which was surrounded by a gray wall, and the wall was shared by bougainvillea, buzzards and unmeasured time. It was mid-afternoon when I got out of the bus at the hotel. The bus was painted purple and yellow, and bore the name of Rosaura, painted in red. I am sure it was the name of the driver's sweetheart. In Feliz, everything was personalized.

Oh fuck this shit. Maybe I'll scan it later.

ETA: See scanned version here.

50 Best Protest Signs of 2009

2009-12-07T21:03:36Z

Several other good pro-gay marriage signs, and a lot of teabagging-esque signs that you'll love or hate depending.

essentialsaltes @ 2009-12-07T12:41:00

2009-12-07T20:41:39Z

Mr. Squiggles may be trying to kill you

Bank Error in Your Favor - Collect $15

2009-12-07T16:39:48Z

For your mortgage account ending in XXXX: Thank you for your recent payment of ($ USD) 82,829.72.

I wish.

Update:

Dear Valued Customer:

We're writing to let you know you received an Account Alert on 12/06/09 that contained inaccurate information about your mortgage payment. Please disregard the Alert, and accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience it may have caused.

Physics in the (Celebrity) News

2009-12-05T16:36:17Z

lencrenoire tipped me off that a John Gribbin physics book, Get a Grip on Physics was spotted in an accident scene photo in Tiger Woods' car. Since then, the book has leapt from 396,224 to 2,268 in Amazon sales rank. I support Tiger's role in improving science education in the US.

Oh PETA, never change...

2009-12-05T01:02:40Z

In the fight between Bill Donahue and PETA, I side with.... PETA. I feel so dirty.

It's that time of year again

2009-12-04T21:48:36Z

when my Google Alerts start getting lots of mentions of the War on Christmas. As usual, not much actual warfare is going on, but there are still lots of people upset about it. The AFA is keeping track of which stores say Merry Christmas and which ones don't.

Well, okay, there is the story of the local busybodies objecting to (and even vandalizing -- I can't approve of that) a tree erected on public property.

essentialsaltes @ 2009-12-04T13:16:00

2009-12-04T21:16:18Z

what is this i dont even

Do Not Taunt Indestructible Survival Seed Bank

2009-12-04T18:11:45Z

Tangentially related to gotham_bound's reflection on the news, I get a ridiculous amount of news from sources on the Christian Right. Sometimes it's so I can point and laugh, but there are many times that they catch interesting stories that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. But this is one of the point and laugh times. I actually clicked a banner ad today, to learn about Survival Seeds:

You don’t have to be an Old Testament prophet to see what’s going on all around us. A belligerent lower class demanding handouts. A rapidly diminishing middle class crippled by police state bureaucracy. An aloof, ruling elite that has introduced us to an emerging totalitarianism which seeks control over every aspect of our lives.

So you should bury a bucket of seeds in your yard, seeds "Grown in remote plots, far from the prying eyes of the big hybrid seed companies." "Remember, non-hybrid seeds can be grown practically anywhere and have the ability to assimilate mineral and trace elements from the soil that man made plants just don’t seem to have."

But my favorite is "Indestructible Survival Seed Bank Can Be Buried To Avoid Confiscation."

Yeah, when the shit hits the fan and Uncle Sam's jackbooted thugs are coming for your eleven year old chard seeds to redistribute them to ~~poor people~~ the "belligerent lower class", they'll just be out of luck, because you're smarter than them. You planned ahead. You buried your bucket of seeds.

Oh, and friends like notjenschiz send me news stories that they think I might appreciate, like this one. Sort of like that joke about "I sent two boats and a helicopter."

West Point Yearbook's "Most Likely to Kill bin Laden"

2009-12-04T01:17:24Z

Is, I think, the guy on the right:

That sure looks like one big ball of rage.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-03T18:11:15Z

Courtesy of snopes... Let's Say Thanks:
The Xerox Corporation is delivering postcards to US troops overseas. You can write your own short note that will be delivered to a random servicemember along with care packages from Give2TheTroops. Sending a card costs you nothing. The art for the cards is provided by unskilled child laborers, but at least there are many options to choose from!
Yay, Xerox! I will not use your name as a generic verb!

14 foot ethernet cable at Office Depot: $22
14 foot ethernet cable at Staples: $21
14 foot ethernet cable at Radio Shack: $17
15 foot ethernet cable from Kalron Inc. via Amazon.com: $1.96 + $3.92 shipping = $5.88
Days between my order and receipt of cable: 2
Improved online multiplayer experience: priceless

Thank you, troops! Thank you, Xerox! Thank you, Kalron Inc.

Aladdin's Lamp by John Freely

2009-12-02T23:53:27Z

Aladdin's Lamp: How Greek Science came to Europe through the Islamic World.

John Freely has taught physics & history of science at Bosphorus University in Istanbul, so presumably he's in a good position to tackle the task indicated in the subtitle. Unfortunately, the book is only marginally successful. First, I expected the book to focus on the Islamic science that bridges the ancient world and modern science. Most histories of science don't spend much time on it, and it's easy to find yourself puzzeledly muttering, "What was the middle thing again?" Though Aladdin's Lamp certainly does better than that, Islamic science makes up less than half of the book, with the majority on ancient science and modern science (albeit with references to the trail through Arabic that connects one to the other).
Second, and worse, the book is not a very good history. Or rather, it's what we all thought history was when we were in third grade: a list of names and dates. There are some fairly long passages that are really no more than a paragraph or two about scientist A followed by two paragraphs about scientist B followed by... Rutherford once said that "All science is either physics or stamp collecting" -- in too many places, Aladdin's Lamp is the stamp collecting version of history of science. As just an example, we learn that "Hermannus is one of the earliest Latin authors to introduce to the Latin West three astronomical instruments that had been widely used in the Islamic world: the astrolabe, the chilinder, and the quadrant. ... All three instruments became widely used in the Latin West for astronomical observations as well as for calculations." One might (well I might) want to know what the hell a chilinder is. Or the astrolabe or quadrant, for that matter. Freely doesn't tell us. We might as well say that Hermannus "introduced the woozle, wozzle and wizzle to the West."
Nevertheless, the book does shed at least some light on that largely overlooked middle part, and a few interesting details about the two ends as well. Galileo is generally credited with the modern idea of inertia or momentum, but it was interesting to trace the history and development of essentially the right idea from the Greeks to Avicenna to Buridan to Galileo.
It's also fascinating how religiously diverse the scientific intelligentsia was during the height of Islamic science. Nestorian Christians fleeing persecution, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, and a number of astronomers who were Sabians, a quasi-Islamic(?) religious sect that allegedly(?) worshipped the stars and planets.
Now if we can only convince Dar al-Islam to return to religious toleration, maybe the region can have another Golden Age. Unfortunately, it probably doesn't work that way, unless it comes with a side order of complete collapse of Western Society.

AND you'll have hairy palms

2009-12-02T21:36:39Z

Don't be so credulous, kid. You'll go blind if you do that.

Hangover Square (1945)

2009-12-01T18:31:47Z

Hangover Square is perhaps not a great film, but it does have great moments, including the climax. Laird Cregar plays a classical composer (in 1890s London) with a cinematic dissociative disorder -- discordant noises send him into amnesiac rages. Yes, a pretty lame gimmick.
Despite a budding romance with the good girl, he falls in with the very very very naughty Linda Darnell as a dancehall singer. She quickly has him eating out of her hand, and who could blame him?

Things happen, plot ensues. Ultimately, our composer performs his dark original piano concerto as doom closes in upon him. Ordinarily, this would probably be 15 seconds of crappy movie music. But in this case, the climax takes us through an 11 minute Bernard Herrmann dark original piano concerto. Okay, it's not Mozart, but it's captivating and the marriage of music to film is really well done.

Random Notes:

Herrmann's score inspired Sondheim's score for Sweeney Todd.

Cregar died before the movie opened, probably due to the crash amphetamine diet that helped him lose 100 pounds for the role.

Linda Darnell plays the singer, Netta. Darnell's birthname was Monetta.

Teatro Grottesco

2009-11-30T18:22:06Z

O the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will ensue when friends and relatives receive our holiday cards so early in the season! We blanket the world in dismay and envy! Mwahahaha!

Speaking of mind-numbing horror, I finished reading Ligotti's Teatro Grotesco, a collection of his distinctive short stories, like dreams or urban legends from some region just over the border. Fantastic and evocative stuff, but sometimes I wish he'd dial it back to 10 from 11. Then again, maybe if they made even a smidgen more sense they wouldn't be what they are. I like his work a lot, even if I wind up scratching my head in abject befuddlement afterwards. I may even have generated a [not too derivative] story idea, though I doubt I can ape Ligotti well enough to execute it successfully.

News Roundup

2009-11-28T17:18:12Z

The Martian meteorite made an impact 13,000 years ago, and then another impact in 1996 when it was touted as evidence of life on Mars. Now, NASA says the evidence of life on Mars is even stronger, with an alternative explanation being eliminated by further research.

“We feel vindicated. We’ve shown the alternate explanation is absolutely incorrect, leading us back to our original position that these structures are formed by bacteria on Mars,” Dr Mackay said.

Geek Love author (and boxing aficianado) Katherine Dunn gets in a fight with a mugger.

Tactical Nuclear Penguin (32% ABV)

Somethingawful tackles the Art of Traveller - no point paging back to the earlier pics if you ask me, but there's some gold from that page on.

More amazing footage of the Belgian guy. His brain is functioning so well that he's a touch-typist -- he doesn't even need to look at the keyboard to type!

Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T04:23:17Z

Thanksgiving went off smoothly. We hosted mom and the stepdad, and Dr. Pookie went all out in the making of pork loin, green beans, stuffing, and various horse doovers. The visit was short but sweet, and the food turned out great.
Later I may have smooshed my face too deeply into Winston the Hairy Zeppelin, because I had hours of sneezing and a crushing headache. Fortunately, it had dissipated by morning. Usually I'm not too badly affected, but -- if you'll allow me to get a bit catty -- he's a bit dandruffy at the moment.
Spent some time battling with Time Warner Cable over the internet service, of the usual okay-everyone-get-out-of-the-car variety. Surprisingly, the tech sounded competent and the process was not as long and infuriating as usual. Data speed is back to mostly awesome, though I still have not completely reconnected all of the elements of my Rube Goldberg contraption back to its full complexity. I have some trepidation about doing so, because if the problem returns, then it's the Apple wireless doodad after all. And I don't want the problem to be the wireless doodad. So if I don't check it, it can't possibly be the wireless doodad that's the problem. My logic is impeccable.

Just a little more Turkey for you

2009-11-27T15:36:55Z

The leader of the Raelian church in Iran seeks asylum in Turkey.

"The crime of apostasy - rejecting religious faith - carries the death penalty there, and supporters of Negar Azizmoradi say that is what will happen to her if the Turkish government sends her back to Iran."