I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Friday, March 25, 2016

Linkee-poo sayin' oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone

Dear North Carolina State Government, go fuck yourselves. That's for the rampant bigotry you just enshrined in state law, as well as removing protections for all minorities and for rolling back all social progress since the Civil Rights Act. And to top the cake, for rolling over home rule. I don't often encourage violence, but you all do deserve to be dragged from your seats by torch bearing villagers.

Here's a trick, Google "metronome". I've been thinking of experimenting with a metronome instead of non-verbal music as I write. It keeps a lot of my brain occupied and lets the words come out. (Grokked from Dan)

House spirits. (Grokked from Terri Windling)

"Every year before Easter, small colorful witches appear on Finnish doorsteps in a blend of eastern and western religious traditions related to spring. They hand over catkin branches, reciting healthy wishes in exchange for payment that is traditionally chocolate or other candies." Could you imagine what would happen if we did that here in the US? People would die of apoplexy. So instead we just make the kiddos hunt for eggs left by a rabbit. Because that's all Christian like. I'll bet they aren't even real witches, they ain't got no warts. And the Daily Mail wants us to know "but instead of evil spells they wish people well." They say that 3 times in the article. Because we're all about the inclusion. Happy Ēostre everybody. (Grokked from Ellen Kushner)

Drones photographing ruins around the world. (Grokked from Emma Audley)

Mirrors on our culture. "A day after Microsoft introduced an innocent Artificial Intelligence chat robot to Twitter it has had to delete it after it transformed into an evil Hitler-loving, incestual sex-promoting, 'Bush did 9/11'-proclaiming robot." We don't have to worry about Skynet folks, it'll be huddled in a corner wearing a tinfoil hat. "This is because her responses are learned by the conversations she has with real humans online - and real humans like to say weird stuff online and enjoy hijacking corporate attempts at PR." (Grokked from Chuck Wendig)

So, how would you react to a robotic trash can and what does that say about us? (Grokked from John)

Georgian parents freak the fuck out over yoga. I guess you all are now glad for the separation of Church and State.

This article on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict exposes a lot of what makes this war intractable. It also is an excellent story on privilege and how blind it can make people, and what that does to those who aren't privileged.

The Hidden Brain podcast on tribes and traitors in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. How empathy is a commodity in short supply, and those that practice it are often punished.

This article about millennial and home buying says they're being pushed out of the market because of the rising prices. And this article says they're jumping in. Can you spot the difference in whom the articles are about and why they're having two completely different experiences and outcomes?

A Kentucky Hospital falls victim to ransomware. (Grokked from Dan)

"So far, there are only two data points. And they're imaginary. But the trendline is clear: In the NRA's reimagined fairy tales, putting rifles in the hands of children creates a safer world." Okay, NRA, it's time to come clean, just what kind of hooch do you have over there? 'Cause it must be some good stuff.

"However, he says he does believe Muslims aren't doing enough to speak out against terrorism." And that, your honor, was when I decided to beat him senseless. It was for his own good. Seriously this guy is in "Talent and PR"? Christ, what a shitty firm that must be. I now expect "Croydon Man" to replace "Florida Woman" in the twittersphere. (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)

Bill Moyers asks for the heads of two prominent Democrats. "No, (Hillary Clinton) should come right out and ask for the resignations of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Democratic National Committee Chair — and Florida congresswoman — Debbie Wasserman Schultz. In one masterstroke, she could separate herself from two of the most prominent of all corporate Democratic elitists." He isn't entirely wrong here.

"At one point in the interview, Carson only was able to counter Whoopi Goldberg's assertion that Trump was a racist with 'What’s the alternative?'" Ah, the devil you know argument.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expects to spend $4 million to repair damage that was caused by armed militia members who occupied a federal wildlife refuge in remote Oregon earlier this year…" So much for the "we were respectful" line.

Tweet of my heart: @HooklandGuide 'I do not measure folklore against scales of truth, but against scales of meaning and power to move my soul.' - CL Nolan #FolkloreThursday

Double dip: @AdviceToWriters Writing is where you put all your reading. CATHERINE LACEY #amwriting #reading #writing #writingtips

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