Random Thoughts

What's It Like For A Working Scientist To Write A Novel?

In an essay for The New York Times, (September 28, 2002) Joseph Epstein wrote: "According to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them-- and that they should write it. As the author of 14 books, with a 15th to be publishe ...

Article - Dave Deamer - Jul 28 2016 - 2:01pm

A Great Blitz Game

As an old time chessplayer who's stopped competing in tournaments, I often entertain myself with the odd blitz game in some internet chess server. And more often than not, I play rather crappy chess. So nothing to report there... However fluctuations ...

Article - Tommaso Dorigo - Aug 25 2016 - 9:11am

No Go Area! What? What is that?

This is a warning especially to East Asians, most of which have never seen anything like this, because in China for example, there is no such thing and it is unheard of. Now they are warned to avoid Western European cities such as Berlin, London, and Pari ...

Blog Post - Sascha Vongehr - Sep 23 2016 - 4:29am

Rant: Enough Damn Awareness Days Already!

Dear Awareness People: Shut the F......... (1) I'm begging you. I already have more than enough to be aware of. Even more than I'm aware of.  You try walking around Manhattan unaware. You won't be walking for long. Nope, there will be the u ...

Article - Josh Bloom - Dec 12 2018 - 5:50pm

The Neglected Majority

The Neglected Majority In every nation, state or county that I am aware of there is a tendency for lawmakers to discriminate against the poor, whether directly or indirectly. Some politicians favour tax reductions for the wealthy.  The flip side of that c ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 6 2016 - 3:51pm

Allegation- a new-ism

Allegation- a new-ism Having marked my return to blogging with one new word- egestatism- I thought I may as well invent another. We already have handwaving and whataboutery which appear to be de rigeur in any scientific or political discussion.  And now, ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 7 2016 - 3:16pm

Did Donald Trump Really Win Bigly?

Did Donald Trump Really Win Bigly? Did President-elect Donald Trump Win Bigly, or did he suffer an attack of the mumpsimus? We all know that the Donald loves to use superlatives, but 'bigly'?  Really?  Well, no not at all really. We are all subj ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 11 2016 - 4:41pm

The Pitch and the Pendulum

The Pitch and the Pendulum (Pace 1 Edgar Allan Poe) Some people take comfort in the back-and-forth sway of the political pendulum. It is part of the greatness of our ‘two-party system’, they contend; it reflects the American aversion to extremism on ‘eith ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Nov 17 2016 - 8:37pm

Teenager Raped To Death And Doughnuts In The Surgery Room

If I wanted to create a fake news story – I would lead with a sensational headline. Something that would incense and shock the readers and be extra “clickbaity”. Perhaps a hook about a teenager getting raped to death. That should get some serious traffic. ...

Article - Alison Van Eenennaam - Dec 22 2016 - 12:56pm

The STENDEC Puzzle

The STENDEC Puzzle Ever since BSAA Avro Lancastrian Star Dust vanished on a flight from Buenos Aires to Santiago, the ending of its final transmission- STENDEC- has continued to puzzle experts and amateurs alike. Star Dust, registration G-AGWH, an Avro 69 ...

Blog Post - Patrick Lockerby - Jan 1 2017 - 7:33pm