"Wherever you are in your life, if you want to write, WRITE. It's hard work, and it doesn't pay as well as you think it will, and there will be days when you want to move to Hawaii and be the person that puts whipped cream on waffles, because that would be pretty easy by comparison, plus WAFFLES. But your lowest point can be transformative." Perseverance, that's the key. I may need to tape that up somewhere to remind me it's possible. Sometimes, in transformative actions, you need to hit that bottom and crawl your way back. Strange how that also works for addiction. (Grokked from John Scalzi, I think)
JR Johnson talks about blazing your own trail to publication. Note that trail is paved in rejection letters. Failure is an acceptable state when starting out. Hell, for several weeks I thought about quitting the reboot because I kept failing in clinicals. Last Tuesday was about the first day I can say I succeeded more than I failed. I'm still failing, but I'm failing better. And much of what I was failing, I've gotten better at. Writing is the same. My fail state is much farther along than it had been (and hopefully will be when I'm able to write fiction again).
Kristian Lamb reminds us not to edit prematurely. Or, your story parts maybe saying "I'm not dead, yet." She also gives two good tips. No editing, write as fast as you can. And, okay, you can correct typos, but everything else gets set in a different color and then you keep writing.
The Child on how to write like her Dad (who happens to be Jay Lake).
English is hard, let's go to the mall.
A fantasy reader's collection of fantasy novel maps. (Grokked from Genreville)
Some historic photos of a NYC past from the municipal archives. (Grokked from Dr. Phil)
"Sooner or later, solar will be woven seamlessly into the fabric of our lives." If we could just get to the magic price per kWh. This new tech promises it. As the article states, there's a lot that can happen between prototype and manufacturing. (Grokked from Paolo Bacigalupi)
"'Since Nov. 1, wind has been the top technology in the electrical system,' the (Spanish Wind Energy Association) said in a blog posting. 'The last time any technology exceeded 6 terawatt-hours of monthly generation was in 2010, when it was combined-cycle gas turbines.'" That represents about a quarter of the total power output. Strange what happens when you invest in infrastructure (I'm sure their economic crisis helped a little with decreased overall energy production). (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Just in case anyone forgets what the insanity of the 80s anti-abortion movement was like. You know, before courts rules that the protestors by exercising their free-speech right we infringing upon the rights of others. It's a lesson to learn for both the history (and why we don't want to go back there) and the limitations of rights granted in the Bill of Rights. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
"In Washington state, one… 'good guy'… drew his gun in defense of others (and) paid a heavy price." Well, he did stop the rampage by taking 5 bullets (including one to the spine). Right after that the shooter took hostages, which the police then negotiated to safety. But there's some very good truths in that article, like that unless you have what is essentially combat shooter training, your whistling Dixie. Also those skills are perishable, so you need to keep training. Also, if you're in that situation and you pull your firearm, be prepared to shoot first.
"…but here's an even better tip: stop proposing legislation that says rape victims shouldn't have any choices when it comes to reproductive rights." Of course "The problem is, that it is not their talking points that are the problem, it’s the beliefs that inform the talking points that are the problem." Or in other words, the only real problem with conservatives speaking their minds is that most of the rest of us find that thought process that leads to their conservative positions to be morally reprehensible. But instead the GOP leadership isn't changing people's thoughts, they're continuing along the path set out in the GOPAC Memo, control the language. In this case, just don't talk about it. Note that they aren't really changing their positions or their thinking that leads to those positions. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Tweet of my heart: @jonnypeace: "The average westerner looks upon an habitual carrier of concealed weapons as a coward prima facie ..." Ouray (Colorado) Herald, 1901.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Linkee-poo has to the tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met
Chuck Wendig's 25 hard truths about writing and publishing (but mostly about publishing. Want to know how to make a million dollars? Solve #6. The person (or likely persons) who solve the issue of finding new books online (that you really want to read) that person will make a fortune. Right now, browsing books online is tedious. My solution is to show a shelf-like view (maybe sell "face out" and "end cap" space), but that's 1) a cludge fix that doesn't integrate (much) of the advantage of the internet (you could put a "other people who liked what you like also liked" function to weed out the millions of options available online), 2) and real world analog (which isn't always a bad thing), and 3) ignores (at least) two other functions a real world bookstore has. Not to mention the resolution issue.
Random Michelle K went to Philadelphia and saw printing presses. And she shares photos.
The world first computer generated art. As might be presumed from the all male world of computers in the 50s, it's pornographic, or at a least a pin-up. So this link may be NSFW. The image itself was first used as a diagnostic; if the image looked okay, data was being transferred from one computer to the backup correctly. If the image was "off", there were data problems. Which is a fairly good diagnostic trick (humans respond better to "images" than number flows). (Pointed to by John)
Sure, we live a post-whatever society. As that article demonstrates we can't even get past the sexism in underwear marketing for kids. (Grokked form Tobias Buckell)
"A group of self-appointed 'patriots' are moving forward with an idea for a planned community of several thousand families of 'patriotic Americans' in Idaho, a project named The Citadel, envisioned as a 'martial endeavor designed to protect Residents in times of peril'…" I wonder if any of these "patriots" have ever heard of an air strike, let alone the rise of the UAV? And while it looks like a castle set up, they've forgotten some serious needs, like water and sewer. Seriously. As someone who has followed various splinter organizations form the 90s to early 2000's, apparently they've become completely unhinged by recent political events. Like the re-election of a black president (that's a link to various assholes in twitter who are probably badly surprised to find the President wasn't assassinated on Inauguration Day. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Another one bites the dust. Well that makes six people shot at gun shows last week (the week of Gun Appreciation). Okay, well, there are a lot of people who went to gun shows who weren't injured. But most of these people were either gun dealers, or shot by gun dealers. You know, the people who should know gun safety and for whom having a loaded weapon, or ammo next to the firearm it goes with is illegal. I mean, this is beyond basic gun safety. At least when I went to gun shows, it was a cast iron rule, no loaded weapons. And these are the people who think we should be listening to for our gun safety? (Grokked from Joe Hill)
Okay, you know how we like to think of States as amoral at best? Well, how about if a state gave a minority population birth control involuntarily?. In this case it's Israel given their Ethiopian immigrants what is though to be Depo-Provera in an attempt to lessen their numbers, and in the mind of (at least) PM Benjamin Netanyahu, lessen the "threat" they pose to their "Jewish and democratic state." You can read that as "all us European Jews feel threatened by these African Jews." However, before we get all judgmental here, just keep in mind it wasn't that long ago that we had similar programs that targeted the mentally ill (which in some cases only meant "teenage mother").
Tweet of my heart: @aspaul: "It's cold out, so much for global warming" is the new "If evolution is real, why aren't monkeys turning into humans?"
Double dip: @silencewedge Heating mercury thiocyanate looks like you've opened a portal to hell http://t.co/JfGbQEvD
Random Michelle K went to Philadelphia and saw printing presses. And she shares photos.
The world first computer generated art. As might be presumed from the all male world of computers in the 50s, it's pornographic, or at a least a pin-up. So this link may be NSFW. The image itself was first used as a diagnostic; if the image looked okay, data was being transferred from one computer to the backup correctly. If the image was "off", there were data problems. Which is a fairly good diagnostic trick (humans respond better to "images" than number flows). (Pointed to by John)
Sure, we live a post-whatever society. As that article demonstrates we can't even get past the sexism in underwear marketing for kids. (Grokked form Tobias Buckell)
"A group of self-appointed 'patriots' are moving forward with an idea for a planned community of several thousand families of 'patriotic Americans' in Idaho, a project named The Citadel, envisioned as a 'martial endeavor designed to protect Residents in times of peril'…" I wonder if any of these "patriots" have ever heard of an air strike, let alone the rise of the UAV? And while it looks like a castle set up, they've forgotten some serious needs, like water and sewer. Seriously. As someone who has followed various splinter organizations form the 90s to early 2000's, apparently they've become completely unhinged by recent political events. Like the re-election of a black president (that's a link to various assholes in twitter who are probably badly surprised to find the President wasn't assassinated on Inauguration Day. (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Another one bites the dust. Well that makes six people shot at gun shows last week (the week of Gun Appreciation). Okay, well, there are a lot of people who went to gun shows who weren't injured. But most of these people were either gun dealers, or shot by gun dealers. You know, the people who should know gun safety and for whom having a loaded weapon, or ammo next to the firearm it goes with is illegal. I mean, this is beyond basic gun safety. At least when I went to gun shows, it was a cast iron rule, no loaded weapons. And these are the people who think we should be listening to for our gun safety? (Grokked from Joe Hill)
Okay, you know how we like to think of States as amoral at best? Well, how about if a state gave a minority population birth control involuntarily?. In this case it's Israel given their Ethiopian immigrants what is though to be Depo-Provera in an attempt to lessen their numbers, and in the mind of (at least) PM Benjamin Netanyahu, lessen the "threat" they pose to their "Jewish and democratic state." You can read that as "all us European Jews feel threatened by these African Jews." However, before we get all judgmental here, just keep in mind it wasn't that long ago that we had similar programs that targeted the mentally ill (which in some cases only meant "teenage mother").
Tweet of my heart: @aspaul: "It's cold out, so much for global warming" is the new "If evolution is real, why aren't monkeys turning into humans?"
Double dip: @silencewedge Heating mercury thiocyanate looks like you've opened a portal to hell http://t.co/JfGbQEvD
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Weekend Linkee-poo, now, Junior, behave yourself
MacMillian launching a pilot program to license ebooks to libraries. I've been tracking the story of library uses of ebooks for a little. It's an interesting twist in how all digital media is different than hard copy. All hard copy degrades, and if it's popular in a library system, is then replaced. But if data doesn't deteriorate with use, publishers lose that income from replacement sales. IIRC, some publishers do print "library editions" (which are supposed to be a little stronger), but those also cost more. I can see the argument for a higher initial price, but then that means fewer titles libraries can buy. They also would be less willing to take a chance on a new or rebooting author. (Pointed to by John)
John Scalzi deconstructs the ebook "get rich" myth. And he shows the math.
I love that first photo. Already really like the roll-over story.
It's harder to rewrite history when the people involved in that history are still alive. In this case, the hagiography of Steve Jobs. (Pointed to by John)
The 13 best stargazing events of 2013. And the 10 best stargazing events of 2013. Note both lists don't share all points. But there's going to be not one, but two comets this year (at least one of them will be great). (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Mary Robinette Kowal shares a video with an excellent take down of the "They faked the Moon landings." Science (bitches)! Short answer, we didn't have the technology and it would be easier to actually go to the Moon.
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal on the human centric fallacy. Yeah, in case you didn't know it, science does this. A lot. (Pointed to by Dan)
Just a note to mention that for a 3 month mission, Opportunity is still kicking Martian ass going into her 10th year. (Pointed to by Dan)
On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Fred Clark shares the real genesis of the "abortion myth."
Conservatives, not happy with loosing elections, continues their campaign to restructure election laws to benefit themselves. Having learned the lesson of losing the popular vote, but still maintaining majorities in the House of Representatives and State Houses, they now want to tinker with the electoral college by not only making it proportional, but allocated by representative district. But only in Democratic leaning states (the red states will stay as they are with winner take all). Is such a scheme were in place in 2012, Romney would have won the electoral college (including 9 electoral votes in Virginia, were Obama, who won the popular vote, would only have garnered 4). Unfortunately at this point this is flying under the radar of most people. But what you're witnessing is a wholesale destruction of the democratic process by gerrymander. (Pointed to by Dan)
Gotta have those guns just in case your straight A student starts getting Bs. But don't worry about him pointing it at his daughter and wife, he didn't have it loaded. I'm sure we all feel safer now. Also note, yeah, this is abusive behavior and is more than likely indicative of other family problems, but it's not like "abusive father" is one of the reasons to be denied a firearm. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Look, mostly angry white mean trying to figure out how to not come across as mostly angry white men. Notice that they're not talking about (here or in other reports I've read or listened to) actually changing anything. Just that they acknowledge their ideological positions are non-starters and actually offensive to most Americans is a start, but basically they're trying to find the right words. I'll take a small quibble with the article, "Wait, Haley Barbour isn't a Tea Party name? I'm pretty sure he is." Also the song, "Put on a happy face" is going through my head. (Grokked from WannabeWriter06)
Fred Clark on the difference between true believers and hucksters. They both want your money, but that's all the later want. And they know the best way to get that money is to not care about the success of the true believers.
John Scalzi deconstructs the ebook "get rich" myth. And he shows the math.
I love that first photo. Already really like the roll-over story.
It's harder to rewrite history when the people involved in that history are still alive. In this case, the hagiography of Steve Jobs. (Pointed to by John)
The 13 best stargazing events of 2013. And the 10 best stargazing events of 2013. Note both lists don't share all points. But there's going to be not one, but two comets this year (at least one of them will be great). (Grokked from the Slactivist)
Mary Robinette Kowal shares a video with an excellent take down of the "They faked the Moon landings." Science (bitches)! Short answer, we didn't have the technology and it would be easier to actually go to the Moon.
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal on the human centric fallacy. Yeah, in case you didn't know it, science does this. A lot. (Pointed to by Dan)
Just a note to mention that for a 3 month mission, Opportunity is still kicking Martian ass going into her 10th year. (Pointed to by Dan)
On this anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Fred Clark shares the real genesis of the "abortion myth."
Conservatives, not happy with loosing elections, continues their campaign to restructure election laws to benefit themselves. Having learned the lesson of losing the popular vote, but still maintaining majorities in the House of Representatives and State Houses, they now want to tinker with the electoral college by not only making it proportional, but allocated by representative district. But only in Democratic leaning states (the red states will stay as they are with winner take all). Is such a scheme were in place in 2012, Romney would have won the electoral college (including 9 electoral votes in Virginia, were Obama, who won the popular vote, would only have garnered 4). Unfortunately at this point this is flying under the radar of most people. But what you're witnessing is a wholesale destruction of the democratic process by gerrymander. (Pointed to by Dan)
Gotta have those guns just in case your straight A student starts getting Bs. But don't worry about him pointing it at his daughter and wife, he didn't have it loaded. I'm sure we all feel safer now. Also note, yeah, this is abusive behavior and is more than likely indicative of other family problems, but it's not like "abusive father" is one of the reasons to be denied a firearm. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Look, mostly angry white mean trying to figure out how to not come across as mostly angry white men. Notice that they're not talking about (here or in other reports I've read or listened to) actually changing anything. Just that they acknowledge their ideological positions are non-starters and actually offensive to most Americans is a start, but basically they're trying to find the right words. I'll take a small quibble with the article, "Wait, Haley Barbour isn't a Tea Party name? I'm pretty sure he is." Also the song, "Put on a happy face" is going through my head. (Grokked from WannabeWriter06)
Fred Clark on the difference between true believers and hucksters. They both want your money, but that's all the later want. And they know the best way to get that money is to not care about the success of the true believers.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Linkee-poo is dynamite with a laser beam
Do you miss those badge bandoliers you could make when you were in Girl/Boy Scouts? Wish you could get those badges for your adult geekery skills? Well, now you can. (Pointed to by Dan)
Jim Hines discusses just what the point of his cover poses happens to be. And it's not like cover art is the only culprit here. Heck, we sell salad dressing with oral sex visual metaphors. There's a new commercial for a beer, or something. There's a bit that Gabriel Inglesias does about Spanish TV advertising (it's starts around the 1 minute mark). The new beer commercial is the lower half of a woman in a short, sparkly dress carrying two bottles, with a teaser (ha!) at the end saying, "being announced (whatever the date is)." The first time that played (okay, the first time I saw it), my wife and I were watching TV together. At the end I turned to her and said, "Pepsi." Yeah, I'm like that. So, yeah, it's part of the culture. The good news is the books Jim shows the covers of at the bottom are selling. If they sell well enough buyers and all the rest of the people in the chain will be able to say, "Hey, people get it, we don't have to sell this way." You know, until the next group of young Turks get into the business. Now there are smart ways to use sex to sell product, showing all parties as having agency and power. But because of the reverberations of "Accepted" Victorian Thought on our modern day, sex becomes perverse, dirty, and all about power plays and subjugation (don't believe it, you should read my spam filter some day).
Using DNA to encode data. Well, it already does, but this is more of encoding data like your text or music files. Brings a whole new meaning to "going viral." (Pointed to by John)
The D&D Archive now that the game is turning 40. (Grokked from Phiala, I think)
"But I was disappointed in the margins." A lifehacker article on setting boundaries and maintaining balance. I'll read it all when I have a little more time. (Grokked from Elizabeth Shack)
What the eye has seen can not be unseen. Let's go and meet the Bronies video narrated by Jon de Lancie. With a lot on fandom, a little on gender equality in fandom (around the 3 minute mark). Watch at your own risk. (Pointed to by John)
Staying on a "horse" theme, Vince shares a music video, Unicorns from Hell. Would have been much nicer if I were convince she was really playing that guitar. But, um, yeah, Bob.
Attempting to see the walls of Dark Matter that we're "constantly" crashing through. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
A dinosaur skull in the walls of St. Ambrose. Part of the hidden world around us. (Grokked from Matt Staggs)
Removing BPA from our diets and how hard that is. Not as hard as cutting high-fructose corn syrup out of the food chain, but still pretty bad. With a little on why BPA is bad for you and the politics of food and the chemical industry (hint, they're like the NRA, but they don't go on TV ranting about their positions). (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Dung beetles (and possibly other insects) using the Milky Way as a guide to keep rolling in a straight line. Which gets me wondering if other animals use the light from our galaxy for other signals. Like birds, for instance. (Grokked from Mrs. Tadd)
Thrown in for the coolness factor, using sound wave to suspend pharmaceuticals for drying to keep from having crystallization happen. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
In Saudi Arabia the "morals police" shut down a traveling exhibit of plaster dinosaurs. Which prompts many sarcastic tweets. Unfortunately I think the wrong people will see this as encouragement instead of satiric commentary.
The Kansas GOP Speaker of the House gets stupid when it comes to the President. Again, this isn't some whack job off the street or little known politico, this is the GOP Party Leader in the Kansas Legislature and either he is dumber than a stick, or he thinks the rest of us are. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
"The prevalent expression of this psychological pain is the belief that President Obama is largely or entirely responsible for Republican extremism… moderate Republicans believe that Obama’s tactic of taking sensible positions that moderate Republicans agree with is cruel and unfair, because it exposes the extremism that dominates the party, not to mention the powerlessness of the moderates within it." A little on the twisted psychology of that premise, and a lot of David Brooks and the call from the Right for President Obama to do what he has been doing for the past four years. And then a little more on the "let's compromise and do it all our way" philosophy of the conservatives. Pretty much exposes the emptiness of the conservative talking points. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Tweet of my heart: @daveweigel: Congressmen are the people at book readings who say "I have more of a comment than a question"
Jim Hines discusses just what the point of his cover poses happens to be. And it's not like cover art is the only culprit here. Heck, we sell salad dressing with oral sex visual metaphors. There's a new commercial for a beer, or something. There's a bit that Gabriel Inglesias does about Spanish TV advertising (it's starts around the 1 minute mark). The new beer commercial is the lower half of a woman in a short, sparkly dress carrying two bottles, with a teaser (ha!) at the end saying, "being announced (whatever the date is)." The first time that played (okay, the first time I saw it), my wife and I were watching TV together. At the end I turned to her and said, "Pepsi." Yeah, I'm like that. So, yeah, it's part of the culture. The good news is the books Jim shows the covers of at the bottom are selling. If they sell well enough buyers and all the rest of the people in the chain will be able to say, "Hey, people get it, we don't have to sell this way." You know, until the next group of young Turks get into the business. Now there are smart ways to use sex to sell product, showing all parties as having agency and power. But because of the reverberations of "Accepted" Victorian Thought on our modern day, sex becomes perverse, dirty, and all about power plays and subjugation (don't believe it, you should read my spam filter some day).
Using DNA to encode data. Well, it already does, but this is more of encoding data like your text or music files. Brings a whole new meaning to "going viral." (Pointed to by John)
The D&D Archive now that the game is turning 40. (Grokked from Phiala, I think)
"But I was disappointed in the margins." A lifehacker article on setting boundaries and maintaining balance. I'll read it all when I have a little more time. (Grokked from Elizabeth Shack)
What the eye has seen can not be unseen. Let's go and meet the Bronies video narrated by Jon de Lancie. With a lot on fandom, a little on gender equality in fandom (around the 3 minute mark). Watch at your own risk. (Pointed to by John)
Staying on a "horse" theme, Vince shares a music video, Unicorns from Hell. Would have been much nicer if I were convince she was really playing that guitar. But, um, yeah, Bob.
Attempting to see the walls of Dark Matter that we're "constantly" crashing through. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
A dinosaur skull in the walls of St. Ambrose. Part of the hidden world around us. (Grokked from Matt Staggs)
Removing BPA from our diets and how hard that is. Not as hard as cutting high-fructose corn syrup out of the food chain, but still pretty bad. With a little on why BPA is bad for you and the politics of food and the chemical industry (hint, they're like the NRA, but they don't go on TV ranting about their positions). (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Dung beetles (and possibly other insects) using the Milky Way as a guide to keep rolling in a straight line. Which gets me wondering if other animals use the light from our galaxy for other signals. Like birds, for instance. (Grokked from Mrs. Tadd)
Thrown in for the coolness factor, using sound wave to suspend pharmaceuticals for drying to keep from having crystallization happen. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
In Saudi Arabia the "morals police" shut down a traveling exhibit of plaster dinosaurs. Which prompts many sarcastic tweets. Unfortunately I think the wrong people will see this as encouragement instead of satiric commentary.
The Kansas GOP Speaker of the House gets stupid when it comes to the President. Again, this isn't some whack job off the street or little known politico, this is the GOP Party Leader in the Kansas Legislature and either he is dumber than a stick, or he thinks the rest of us are. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
"The prevalent expression of this psychological pain is the belief that President Obama is largely or entirely responsible for Republican extremism… moderate Republicans believe that Obama’s tactic of taking sensible positions that moderate Republicans agree with is cruel and unfair, because it exposes the extremism that dominates the party, not to mention the powerlessness of the moderates within it." A little on the twisted psychology of that premise, and a lot of David Brooks and the call from the Right for President Obama to do what he has been doing for the past four years. And then a little more on the "let's compromise and do it all our way" philosophy of the conservatives. Pretty much exposes the emptiness of the conservative talking points. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Tweet of my heart: @daveweigel: Congressmen are the people at book readings who say "I have more of a comment than a question"
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Hypocritical misogynistic bastards
Hobby Lobby is suing to keep from having to offer their female employees birth control and "female wellness" care because it goes against their deeply held beliefs.
Let me just say this from the outset, what a load of bull crap. And it's easy to prove. All these points can also go for all the rest of the hypocritical buttwipes that are protesting the ACA/Obamacare's (also note now the conservative realize it's here to stay, you're not hearing it called "Obamacare" so much anymore) requirement for birth-control coverage on "religious grounds."
Does their insurance also cover vasectomies? My guess is they do, as most insurance programs fully cover vasectomies before deductibles. Why? Because pregnancy is very costly and snIpping the lines is a good way to prevent pregnancy. Now you may be saying, why would this matter to Hobby Lobby's deeply held religious convictions. Isn't it a sin to spill your seed on the barren ground? I seem to remember that in the bible, mostly interpreted as "thou shall not wank," but isn't intentionally shooting blanks spreading your seed on barren ground? Because you still make sperm, and you still get the sensation of ejaculation, because your body is sending the sperm down the line, it just doesn't get out. No way to get pregnant there, so barren ground.
And here we can add tubal ligation and hysterectomies. Most insurance companies cover them, and there are lots of reasons other than contraceptive reasons to have these happen, but the result it the same, isn't it? I almost didn't include this because of those other reasons, but if the right-to-lifers don't believe in abortion to save the life of the mother, there's no moral distance in their eyes here in excluding these procedures.
Do they cover tests for STDs? I'll bet they do. But if your monogamous and "save yourself" for marriage, you don't need that service. In fact, isn't checking for those basically admitting to infidelity and promiscuous behavior? I'm pretty sure those are sins (and some of the biggies too).
Do they cover artificial insemination and other "getting pregnant" technologies? My guess is they don't. Why? Again, pregnancy is expensive and if you need those services your pretty much saying "difficult pregnancy." So most insurance doesn't cover this or the freezing of eggs (and now whole ovaries) or sperm. But doesn't God tell us to be fruitful and multiply? Isn't it a good family's Christian duty to have children? I seem to remember it being one of the duties. So why wouldn't they include all the possible methodologies to help their employees have babies?
Then there is also the problem of prostate surgeries which have a high percentage of impotence as an after effect. Again, thwarting the will of God.
I could go on, but I think you get the gist. Instead all they're worried about is providing women with reproductive options and birth control. It has nothing to do with their religion and everything to do with their misogynistic world view. If it were about their deeply held religious beliefs, there's a whole lot more they would be protesting. Their actions show their motivations. And their actions are that of people stuck in the "he-man woman-haters club."
Let me just say this from the outset, what a load of bull crap. And it's easy to prove. All these points can also go for all the rest of the hypocritical buttwipes that are protesting the ACA/Obamacare's (also note now the conservative realize it's here to stay, you're not hearing it called "Obamacare" so much anymore) requirement for birth-control coverage on "religious grounds."
Does their insurance also cover vasectomies? My guess is they do, as most insurance programs fully cover vasectomies before deductibles. Why? Because pregnancy is very costly and snIpping the lines is a good way to prevent pregnancy. Now you may be saying, why would this matter to Hobby Lobby's deeply held religious convictions. Isn't it a sin to spill your seed on the barren ground? I seem to remember that in the bible, mostly interpreted as "thou shall not wank," but isn't intentionally shooting blanks spreading your seed on barren ground? Because you still make sperm, and you still get the sensation of ejaculation, because your body is sending the sperm down the line, it just doesn't get out. No way to get pregnant there, so barren ground.
And here we can add tubal ligation and hysterectomies. Most insurance companies cover them, and there are lots of reasons other than contraceptive reasons to have these happen, but the result it the same, isn't it? I almost didn't include this because of those other reasons, but if the right-to-lifers don't believe in abortion to save the life of the mother, there's no moral distance in their eyes here in excluding these procedures.
Do they cover tests for STDs? I'll bet they do. But if your monogamous and "save yourself" for marriage, you don't need that service. In fact, isn't checking for those basically admitting to infidelity and promiscuous behavior? I'm pretty sure those are sins (and some of the biggies too).
Do they cover artificial insemination and other "getting pregnant" technologies? My guess is they don't. Why? Again, pregnancy is expensive and if you need those services your pretty much saying "difficult pregnancy." So most insurance doesn't cover this or the freezing of eggs (and now whole ovaries) or sperm. But doesn't God tell us to be fruitful and multiply? Isn't it a good family's Christian duty to have children? I seem to remember it being one of the duties. So why wouldn't they include all the possible methodologies to help their employees have babies?
Then there is also the problem of prostate surgeries which have a high percentage of impotence as an after effect. Again, thwarting the will of God.
I could go on, but I think you get the gist. Instead all they're worried about is providing women with reproductive options and birth control. It has nothing to do with their religion and everything to do with their misogynistic world view. If it were about their deeply held religious beliefs, there's a whole lot more they would be protesting. Their actions show their motivations. And their actions are that of people stuck in the "he-man woman-haters club."
Linkee-poo has to get itself back to the garden
"A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper." The daily routines of famous writers. YMMV. (Grokked from Diana Peterfreund)
Jeremiah Tolbert shares the high cost of being in education. It doesn't get much better in higher education either. We're now along far enough (and scrimped and saved enough) that we're no longer dealing with student loan debt (now that I think about it, we're around the time we would have normally discharged that debt if we had paid the minimum). But trust me, if we weren't getting the small tuition benefit from my wife's job and the scholarship, I would be seriously rethinking this path. And my new course work is just an associates degree. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Reverse engineering from DNA to the individual. So now it is possible to know if you're a dog on the internet. Thousands of people are having the genome sequenced and put into an open database to aid research. Someone decided they'd see if they could take that DNA and find the individual it belonged to. That's chilling on so many levels. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
With the latest shooting in the heart of conservative land (ie. Texas), Texas Republicans are calling for more guns in the classroom. You know, like they were doing last week anyway. Good to see they're consistent. Frankly in this case it looks like the problem was too many guns on campus to begin with. (Grokked from AbsoluteWrite)
"Why is it that when storms and hurricanes and earthquakes ravage our society, conservatives say it’s a sign from God to change our ways. But when ten people are shot on Gun Appreciation Day, well, you know. Nazis." Jim Wright on President Obama's (well VP Biden's report to President Obama) Executive Orders, legislative pushes and why the conservatives are going apeshit over the things they, themselves, think should happen.
Tweet of my heart: @AdviceToWriters: A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. RICHARD BACH #writing #writetip
Jeremiah Tolbert shares the high cost of being in education. It doesn't get much better in higher education either. We're now along far enough (and scrimped and saved enough) that we're no longer dealing with student loan debt (now that I think about it, we're around the time we would have normally discharged that debt if we had paid the minimum). But trust me, if we weren't getting the small tuition benefit from my wife's job and the scholarship, I would be seriously rethinking this path. And my new course work is just an associates degree. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Reverse engineering from DNA to the individual. So now it is possible to know if you're a dog on the internet. Thousands of people are having the genome sequenced and put into an open database to aid research. Someone decided they'd see if they could take that DNA and find the individual it belonged to. That's chilling on so many levels. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
With the latest shooting in the heart of conservative land (ie. Texas), Texas Republicans are calling for more guns in the classroom. You know, like they were doing last week anyway. Good to see they're consistent. Frankly in this case it looks like the problem was too many guns on campus to begin with. (Grokked from AbsoluteWrite)
"Why is it that when storms and hurricanes and earthquakes ravage our society, conservatives say it’s a sign from God to change our ways. But when ten people are shot on Gun Appreciation Day, well, you know. Nazis." Jim Wright on President Obama's (well VP Biden's report to President Obama) Executive Orders, legislative pushes and why the conservatives are going apeshit over the things they, themselves, think should happen.
Tweet of my heart: @AdviceToWriters: A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit. RICHARD BACH #writing #writetip
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Linkee-poo… another one bites the dust
The CNN story on PayPal changing with a nod to the brouhaha over Jay Lake's fundraiser.
Twenty-five words that don't exist in English. although I think "schadenfreude" is sneaking into English. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
A long, but engaging and interesting article on ritual, identity, community, connection, and being human. There's an on going discussion in SF/F about the "lack of religion" (even when it is everywhere), and while I personally disagree with those who say "in the past, religion was everywhere" (it was politically, but on a day to day basis for most people, we now have more religion and religious identity than in the past), it was there. In this article you see how that works, and what it meant. All through out I heard the echos of Joseph Campbell. We are all humans, it's just some of us forgot what that means. The internet facilitates sub-tribal identities, just like radio and TV did in their day. And ritual surrounds us daily, it is what we do. Most people think that "ritual" is "religion", but it really isn't. Ritual, for some people, is standing in line at Starbucks. And if you think Starbucks doesn't recognize it, you've obviously misunderstood why their sizes are listed as they are, the codification of language used to place orders, and the iconography prevalent. Same with Apple, same with most successful branding. Also watch how this plays out in social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr/Pinterest. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
To paraphrase Spinal Tap, "The numbers all go to 'kitten'… It's one louder." That's John Scalzi with the new way to handle trolls. Kittening is the new disemvoweling.
A video of the failed political assassination in Bulgaria during a political summit that was being broadcast. Without more information, I really don't want to comment. But seriously, thank the gods for incompetent criminals. Okay, one comment, good thing that was a Good Guy with a gun to stop it.
What does it mean to love our enemies? John Lewis shows us what it means. It means of not thinking of them as enemies, even when we stand in opposition.
Of some relation to a panel I was on at Confusion, an article on the use of ketamine as an "emergency" antidepressant. Ketamine is a "second generation" PCP (if you're of a certain age, you might remember PCP as the reason you weren't terribly shocked by the face eating guy on "bath salts"). Please note the several problems with the use of the drug, however I'm all for the effect of "knowing it's possible to be better." There was a little discussion about how most anti-depressants take weeks to show appreciable effects (but only days to lose them). There are reasons for this described in the article. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
The new VW "single-seater" (it actually has two seats) car. Here is an update on the progress of the car (which as far as I can tell, still isn't shipping even in China). Although the engine seems to be getting fitted in other models. Of course all of VW's coolest technology toys aren't available in the US. I think they underestimate the market here. Although I think they've got a vibe on America's distaste for diesel. (Pointed to by the Lycan Librarian)
Glenn Beck decides to go Gault. I wonder what will happen when they discover if they're in the US, they have to pay federal taxes, and if the state their in has income taxes they'll be subject to that as well. Or if they're outside the US, then they're no longer in the good ol' USA. Or when all those "Makers" can't get good help to mow their lawns or cook their food. Yeah, it's gonna be great. Can we get a live TV feed in there. It's not like I would watch it, but I think the highlight reel would be hilarious.
"I recently visited some Latin American countries that mesh with the N.R.A.’s vision of the promised land, where guards with guns grace every office lobby, storefront, A.T.M., restaurant and gas station. It has not made those countries safer or saner." In fact we tend to think of them as the Third World.
For those of us geeks, Gandalf explains why more guns and the "shoot from the hip" mentality isn't the best idea we could have.
Twenty-five words that don't exist in English. although I think "schadenfreude" is sneaking into English. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
A long, but engaging and interesting article on ritual, identity, community, connection, and being human. There's an on going discussion in SF/F about the "lack of religion" (even when it is everywhere), and while I personally disagree with those who say "in the past, religion was everywhere" (it was politically, but on a day to day basis for most people, we now have more religion and religious identity than in the past), it was there. In this article you see how that works, and what it meant. All through out I heard the echos of Joseph Campbell. We are all humans, it's just some of us forgot what that means. The internet facilitates sub-tribal identities, just like radio and TV did in their day. And ritual surrounds us daily, it is what we do. Most people think that "ritual" is "religion", but it really isn't. Ritual, for some people, is standing in line at Starbucks. And if you think Starbucks doesn't recognize it, you've obviously misunderstood why their sizes are listed as they are, the codification of language used to place orders, and the iconography prevalent. Same with Apple, same with most successful branding. Also watch how this plays out in social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr/Pinterest. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
To paraphrase Spinal Tap, "The numbers all go to 'kitten'… It's one louder." That's John Scalzi with the new way to handle trolls. Kittening is the new disemvoweling.
A video of the failed political assassination in Bulgaria during a political summit that was being broadcast. Without more information, I really don't want to comment. But seriously, thank the gods for incompetent criminals. Okay, one comment, good thing that was a Good Guy with a gun to stop it.
What does it mean to love our enemies? John Lewis shows us what it means. It means of not thinking of them as enemies, even when we stand in opposition.
Of some relation to a panel I was on at Confusion, an article on the use of ketamine as an "emergency" antidepressant. Ketamine is a "second generation" PCP (if you're of a certain age, you might remember PCP as the reason you weren't terribly shocked by the face eating guy on "bath salts"). Please note the several problems with the use of the drug, however I'm all for the effect of "knowing it's possible to be better." There was a little discussion about how most anti-depressants take weeks to show appreciable effects (but only days to lose them). There are reasons for this described in the article. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
The new VW "single-seater" (it actually has two seats) car. Here is an update on the progress of the car (which as far as I can tell, still isn't shipping even in China). Although the engine seems to be getting fitted in other models. Of course all of VW's coolest technology toys aren't available in the US. I think they underestimate the market here. Although I think they've got a vibe on America's distaste for diesel. (Pointed to by the Lycan Librarian)
Glenn Beck decides to go Gault. I wonder what will happen when they discover if they're in the US, they have to pay federal taxes, and if the state their in has income taxes they'll be subject to that as well. Or if they're outside the US, then they're no longer in the good ol' USA. Or when all those "Makers" can't get good help to mow their lawns or cook their food. Yeah, it's gonna be great. Can we get a live TV feed in there. It's not like I would watch it, but I think the highlight reel would be hilarious.
"I recently visited some Latin American countries that mesh with the N.R.A.’s vision of the promised land, where guards with guns grace every office lobby, storefront, A.T.M., restaurant and gas station. It has not made those countries safer or saner." In fact we tend to think of them as the Third World.
For those of us geeks, Gandalf explains why more guns and the "shoot from the hip" mentality isn't the best idea we could have.
Thinking Good Thoughts
Jay Lake goes under the knife today. Sending him as many good thoughts that I have to spare. Good luck, Jay. See you on the other side.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Finally Can Talk About It
Since the middle of this past summer I've been working on our semi-secret project at work. And now I can share a little of it.
I didn't work on the video (other than critique/post-production direction), but I did do a lot of things for our program. I can't share everything about it (I can't even tell you why we're releasing some of the information now). But since it's now up on YouTube, I can share what little is there.
Very proud of this, for many damn reasons.
I didn't work on the video (other than critique/post-production direction), but I did do a lot of things for our program. I can't share everything about it (I can't even tell you why we're releasing some of the information now). But since it's now up on YouTube, I can share what little is there.
Very proud of this, for many damn reasons.
Linkee-poo, if you think of it, just wants to be a drum major
Several authors are sharing the numbers on their writing. Todd Wheeler shares his. Todd is mostly self-published at this point. Jim Hines shares his as well. He also has some interesting thoughts on having a more successful year, yet pulling in less. Kameron Hurley share her percentages (not so much raw numbers). But those are still informative. For those of you contemplating the writing world, please note at peril of the dreams of being famously wealthy and living like Patterson.
How to design a book cover for less than $50. Just some general thoughts besides, "Desktop Publishing wasn't so much a Revolution as it was just tearing down the walls." One, you get what you pay for. Two, it's easy to fall in love with your own work because it's yours, but it's like writing without editing through a writer's workshop. Finally there are some freelance "auction" sites out there were you could get some descent work through the world market for not a lot of money.
"Dawson (College) has betrayed a brilliant student to protect Skytech management." The student was creating an app to allow Dawson students access to their own student data and discovered a flaw in the system which would allow anyone to see any student's personal data. Being a good student he notified the appropriate people and was assured it would be fixed. A few days later he used a script-kiddies program to test the site's updates (if any had been made), which then supposedly blew right past security. Unfortunately the company was monitoring the site and saw his "breech." Which then led to a disciplinary meeting where he was thrown out of the college. Yeah, I'm sure it had nothing to do with embarrassing the software developers and the faculty. (Grokked from Steven Gould)
"What we saw was not just a limitation on abortion or reproductive rights, or even the deprivation of civil liberties, but the denial of pregnant woman of virtually every right." Gee, glad we're past that who sex inequality thing or they'd be arresting women who were pregnant to make sure they didn't force a miscarriage or get an abortion. Oh, wait… (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Tweet of my heart: @joe_hill: Via @mental_floss, charming pic of Teddy Roosevelt and cabinet recreating the Abbey Road cover: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BBJY8bS…
How to design a book cover for less than $50. Just some general thoughts besides, "Desktop Publishing wasn't so much a Revolution as it was just tearing down the walls." One, you get what you pay for. Two, it's easy to fall in love with your own work because it's yours, but it's like writing without editing through a writer's workshop. Finally there are some freelance "auction" sites out there were you could get some descent work through the world market for not a lot of money.
"Dawson (College) has betrayed a brilliant student to protect Skytech management." The student was creating an app to allow Dawson students access to their own student data and discovered a flaw in the system which would allow anyone to see any student's personal data. Being a good student he notified the appropriate people and was assured it would be fixed. A few days later he used a script-kiddies program to test the site's updates (if any had been made), which then supposedly blew right past security. Unfortunately the company was monitoring the site and saw his "breech." Which then led to a disciplinary meeting where he was thrown out of the college. Yeah, I'm sure it had nothing to do with embarrassing the software developers and the faculty. (Grokked from Steven Gould)
"What we saw was not just a limitation on abortion or reproductive rights, or even the deprivation of civil liberties, but the denial of pregnant woman of virtually every right." Gee, glad we're past that who sex inequality thing or they'd be arresting women who were pregnant to make sure they didn't force a miscarriage or get an abortion. Oh, wait… (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Tweet of my heart: @joe_hill: Via @mental_floss, charming pic of Teddy Roosevelt and cabinet recreating the Abbey Road cover: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BBJY8bS…
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Weekend Linkee-poo hope you guess its name
Very far behind in reading, but I'm going to clear the baffles for the coming week, and then get back to work. Today's title is in honor of Mercedes Benz using the Stone's "Sympathy for the Devil" as their song in a commercial about their upcoming vehicle. Um, guys, I think you might want to revisit that decision. You know, after you listen to the whole song, not just the first stanza.
The transformer apartment. It's not actually a new idea, but it has some new twists.
30 years of the Apple Lisa and Apple IIe. Wow. Brings back a lot of memories. (Pointed to by Dan)
The Galactic Empire responds to the White House passing on building a Death Star. (Grokked from Tor.com)
Life is more than happiness. I'm not sure which snide remark I should make here. "At this writing, Gallup also reports that nearly 60 percent all Americans today feel happy without a lot of stress or worry." I guess that puts me in the 40%. Although they define the 40% as "either (not) think(ing) their lives have a clear sense of purpose or are neutral about whether their lives have purpose." Which I don't believe is the opposite of happiness. I have purposes and meaning, but I'm not convinced that equates happiness. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Finding the yes in saying no. With a little on decision making and how to eat frogs (not literally, and they don't use that terminology, but sometimes you've got to eat frogs to get through the day, nobody like it, but if you don't, soon you're plagued with frogs). (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
The Cayman Islands are exploring publishing a list of corporations and hedge funds who use the island as a tax haven (for some versions of hiding their money). It looks like it's just talking now, but they seem to be under pressure to clean up there act. Also there's a lot about how the Obama Administration has been eliminating tax havens (btw, different than tax sheltering) and how such places work. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Need a little levity? How about the Muppets singing "Bohemian Rhapsody." Ah, Beaker. (Pointed to by Dan)
A firearms instructor hired as an armed guard for a school leaves his firearm in a student bathroom. Fortunately it was "unloaded" and "only for a short time." What could possibly go wrong? (Grokked from Wil Wheaton)
The transformer apartment. It's not actually a new idea, but it has some new twists.
30 years of the Apple Lisa and Apple IIe. Wow. Brings back a lot of memories. (Pointed to by Dan)
The Galactic Empire responds to the White House passing on building a Death Star. (Grokked from Tor.com)
Life is more than happiness. I'm not sure which snide remark I should make here. "At this writing, Gallup also reports that nearly 60 percent all Americans today feel happy without a lot of stress or worry." I guess that puts me in the 40%. Although they define the 40% as "either (not) think(ing) their lives have a clear sense of purpose or are neutral about whether their lives have purpose." Which I don't believe is the opposite of happiness. I have purposes and meaning, but I'm not convinced that equates happiness. (Grokked from Jay Lake)
Finding the yes in saying no. With a little on decision making and how to eat frogs (not literally, and they don't use that terminology, but sometimes you've got to eat frogs to get through the day, nobody like it, but if you don't, soon you're plagued with frogs). (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
The Cayman Islands are exploring publishing a list of corporations and hedge funds who use the island as a tax haven (for some versions of hiding their money). It looks like it's just talking now, but they seem to be under pressure to clean up there act. Also there's a lot about how the Obama Administration has been eliminating tax havens (btw, different than tax sheltering) and how such places work. (Grokked from Tobias Buckell)
Need a little levity? How about the Muppets singing "Bohemian Rhapsody." Ah, Beaker. (Pointed to by Dan)
A firearms instructor hired as an armed guard for a school leaves his firearm in a student bathroom. Fortunately it was "unloaded" and "only for a short time." What could possibly go wrong? (Grokked from Wil Wheaton)
Confusel Confusion Confabulated
Still here in Detroit. It's Sunday morning and things are a little muddled and and foggy. Conversions can be chimeric things. I've been attending Confusion for more years than I want to count this morning, and each year it's ever a little or a lot different. This year I had time to hang with friends, but not enough time with any of them,
We're in a new hotel and the flow, to me, seems a little off. The hotel is nice enough. Barcon, though, doesn't seem to work too well, yet. However there is a perfect ready made solution, but it would require some logistics finagling and a bit of work on the hotel. The actual bar space isn't very conducive to large, ranging parties. The configuration between convention space and sleeping rooms creates a bottleneck which isn't so much of a problem for the convention goers (actually I feel it's much better), but if there are any other guests in the hotel it could be awkward for them.
Actually just had lunch with some of the concom who are friends. My ideas aren't new and they might get the hotel to do them.
I didn't get to much of a chance to hang with the BNAs this year. That's okay as I enjoy hanging with all my friends. It's just one of those things where you say, "Aw, I didn't get much face time with...". It's also okay because of my own internal psychology of feeling like a poser.
On the plus side I did get to clarify the one issue I talked about before (inscription said one thing, thought it was a joke, but then didn't know and had a dream where it wasn't). Good to know it wasn't the bad side of that coin and I was correct in my initial assessment.
But they do want me to get serious about writing. So there's that.
About to head out. There were a few more panels I'd like to see. However my schedule waits for me. Just before I left Cleveland one of my freelance clients dropped off one of the big projects of the year. Now I need to find a way to fit that in.
Ohio here I come. Thanks, Confusion, for a nice weekend. Hopefully can see you next year.
We're in a new hotel and the flow, to me, seems a little off. The hotel is nice enough. Barcon, though, doesn't seem to work too well, yet. However there is a perfect ready made solution, but it would require some logistics finagling and a bit of work on the hotel. The actual bar space isn't very conducive to large, ranging parties. The configuration between convention space and sleeping rooms creates a bottleneck which isn't so much of a problem for the convention goers (actually I feel it's much better), but if there are any other guests in the hotel it could be awkward for them.
Actually just had lunch with some of the concom who are friends. My ideas aren't new and they might get the hotel to do them.
I didn't get to much of a chance to hang with the BNAs this year. That's okay as I enjoy hanging with all my friends. It's just one of those things where you say, "Aw, I didn't get much face time with...". It's also okay because of my own internal psychology of feeling like a poser.
On the plus side I did get to clarify the one issue I talked about before (inscription said one thing, thought it was a joke, but then didn't know and had a dream where it wasn't). Good to know it wasn't the bad side of that coin and I was correct in my initial assessment.
But they do want me to get serious about writing. So there's that.
About to head out. There were a few more panels I'd like to see. However my schedule waits for me. Just before I left Cleveland one of my freelance clients dropped off one of the big projects of the year. Now I need to find a way to fit that in.
Ohio here I come. Thanks, Confusion, for a nice weekend. Hopefully can see you next year.
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