Linkee-poo plays hooky, in its mind

An interview with Elizabeth Bear. Mmm, crunchy goodness.

Occupy Flash! Power to the people! (Pointed to by Dan)

Distilling books (and movies) into four icons as a way if discerning authorial intent. Probably only a designer thing, but here's another way to think about your work's theme.

"Let the smoke from the bridges I burn today be seen far and wide." Only with less effect. Wow, self immolation much? Seriously, my fellow authors, do not do this. (Grokked from Jay Lake)

Huhn, almost done with November and I discover it's movember. Or "grow facial hair to bring awareness about men's health" month. Normally I don't have a problem with bringing attention to things, or even facial hair (although I any mustache I grow always looks like the bad porn mustaches of the 70s), and no offense to anybody with prostate, penile, and testicular cancers, but given the history of "scientific" medicine and it's propensity to study even "female medical issues" on men, I'm not sure I want my charity dollars going to more research for these (and I say this as someone that falls into the high-risk category for two of those, I honestly don't know the risk factors to penile cancer except too much sun exposure). Prostate cancer, when caught early (yes, guys, get those PSA tests regularly), is a highly curable disease (although the side effects can be devastating, as in high-likelihood of impotence that isn't helped with the wonder drugs). But, if I had know about it, I probably would have participated. A good friend was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, I would have done it as a way of showing my support of him.

For some reason with the app NSA Crytochallenge I'm doing a mashup with Last Starfighter in my head. Only with MiB. Yes, I downloaded it, I love crypto challenges. Don't look at me that way, you all know I'm both a geek and a math affectionado.

The AP is reporting that the harvest of rice from around Fukushima has been banned because of radiation. We're in the loop-de-loops now, folks.

The big banks and small business. Not really shocked to learn that, you know. Having seen the small business (which wasn't really so small) get shuttered by a big bank that bought-out a small bank with lots of consumer and small-business business, but really didn't want to bank in that market. So just remember, when I support the bank bailouts (which I do, I just don't support the aftermath of, "Oh, we pulled their asses out of the fire, but now we can't ask them to reform" concept), I'm supporting the mechanism that lead to my being unemployed 1.5 years ago. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)

"Tea party members said before the meeting that they didn't know what to expect… Some said they were confused about the purpose of the Occupy movement because it has no leader and no consistent list of goals promoted by every Occupy group." Mr. Kettle, the Pot is holding on line 3. Let the co-opting begin. Only, who is doing what to whom is still up in the air.

For the fear of tax. You know, for a political movement that likes to shout about "unelected judges writing law" and the influence of "unelected bureaucrats," their kissing the ass of Grover Norquist and the potential political fall out of crossing him has gone way too far. Grover hasn't run for any office as far as I know.

Another small explanation of OWS. (Grokked from Jay Lake)