Category Archives: personal

Stuff about me (Bernard HP Gilroy), instead of or in addition to stuff about education.

My summer reading

Posted on 2010 August 29 by mongreldogs

Just to put it in one place, here’s what I’ve read and what I hope to read this summer. Already Read Neverwhere by Niel Gaiman The Engineer Trilogy by K. J. Parker Devices and Desires Evil for Evil The Escapement … Continue reading →

Posted in books, personal | Leave a comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on 2010 July 19 by mongreldogs

From a post by Steve Benen over at Political Animal: In human history, it’s never been easier to get — and stay — well informed. Folks just have to take some responsibility. If they don’t, the result can be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Health of the Republic, personal, politics | Leave a comment

Review: Inception

Posted on 2010 July 16 by mongreldogs

Inception a Christopher Nolan Film Arbitrary 5-Point rating: 5 out of 5 Inception is a weird, ambitious, action-packed sci fi thriller-cum-heist flick.  It is, in its own way, as ambitious as The Matrix and suffers from the comparison only in … Continue reading →

Posted in movie, personal, review, science fiction | Leave a comment

The Perils of Positive Thinking

Posted on 2010 July 6 by mongreldogs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5um8QWWRvo I think the major point — that a unquestioning devotion to “positive thinking” is both dangerous and immoral — is a good one. We definitely allow suffering because we think everyone has a shot, so if they’re suffering, it … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Why I have no respect for design behaviors at Microsoft

Posted on 2010 June 30 by mongreldogs

I’ve received my new laptop and am working on getting it outfitted and up to speed.  (This process, by the way, is distressingly like moving to a new home and is equally as frustrating and potentially as traumatizing.)  After logging … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, technology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Days of miracle and wonder, indeed

Posted on 2010 June 24 by mongreldogs

For about ten years, I’ve been running a project in my Honors Physics course called Days of Miracle and Wonder (yes, title taken from a Paul Simon song).  In it, the students are asked to create a business case for … Continue reading →

Posted in movie, personal, ramblings, science fiction, teaching | Leave a comment

I might just be succumbing to the lure of reliving my misspent youth…

Posted on 2010 June 23 by mongreldogs

… but this looks awesome.

Posted in movie, personal, science fiction | Leave a comment

Seconded…

Posted on 2010 May 24 by mongreldogs

This piece from the Atlantic captures my feeling pretty close to exactly, re: the recent Rand Paul flap on the Civil Rights Act and his alleged “courage”.  In particular, the conclusion: Now, after the police dogs, night-sticks and fire-hoses have … Continue reading →

Posted in Health of the Republic, law, personal, politics | Leave a comment

Too true…

Posted on 2010 May 22 by mongreldogs

This captures my experience grading entirely… PhD comics:

Posted in personal, teaching | Leave a comment

Brilliant remix of the Dark Knight Trailer…

Posted on 2010 May 17 by mongreldogs

… using footage from — amazingly! — the Toy Story franchise! via Ezra Klein

Posted in movie, personal | Leave a comment