Archive for August, 2006
Just pointing the way…
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006… to a webcomic (”xkcd“) that I just stumbled across. It’s kinda odd but has the occasional math/science bent that endears it to me. (”Dr. Elizabeth? I accidentally took the Fourier transform of my cat” or “Schroedinger’s Comic“) It also has a flash of geek-inspired sentimentality (”My normal approach is [...]
Uncle Pennybags a Socialist?
Friday, August 4th, 2006I’m really not a fan of the me-too blog, which just strings together links to the original thoughts of other. But I saw this on Cosmic Variance and thought it was brilliant, so here we go: “Lessons from Monopoly“. It’s an interesting analysis of the socio-economic implications of the Parker Brothers game. [...]
Another chime in the death knell of the Republic
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006The end of a democracy comes when participants start gaming the rules to ensure particular outcomes, rather than following the rules and allowing voters an honest chance to influence government. We have reached and, I would say, starting wading across that Rubicon.
Today, another madness has been added to the sad litany of rules-gaming and [...]
What’s the Matter with Kansas?
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006Today, at least, nothing. In a curiously intense summer primary contest for the state Board of Education, the day was won by people who believe that the science standards should reflect, you know, actual science. Their opponents were a cabal of Intelligent Design boosters. There’s a nice wrap-up at Forbes.com and a [...]