"Then it is dark; a night where kings in golden suits ride elephants over the mountains." - John Cheever

Friday, February 25, 2005

Last Night

Yes, an absolute classic. A wide ranging and vibrant discussion in which we managed to cover:

- the scope for technology to solve global warning
- Colonising Mars and the likelihood of achieving nuclear fusion
- John's OCD, Seamus's mania and my "bog-standard depression"
- Status anxiety and life expectancy
- merits of service vs industrial vs agrarian economy
- The tyranny of all commercial organisations
- Buddhism/depression as survival mechanisms for the modern world
- House prices in London and Edinburgh
- The conditions required for communism to exist

Also note: I owe Seamus £20
An excellent evening last night, though can't think of any links to post as a follow up...

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

From today's Onion

Bush Determined To Find Warehouse Where Ark Of Covenant Is Stored
WASHINGTON, DC—In a surprise press conference Monday, President Bush said he will not rest until the warehouse where the Ark of the Covenant, the vessel holding the original Ten Commandments, is located. "Nazis stole the Ark in 1936, but it was recovered by a single patriot, who braved gunfire, rolling boulders, and venomous snakes," Bush said, addressing the White House press corps. "Sadly, due to bureaucratic rigmarole, this powerful, historic relic was misplaced in a warehouse. Mark my words: We will find that warehouse." Bush added that, after they are strengthened by the power of the Ark, U.S. forces will seek out and destroy the sinister Temple of Doom.

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Work Your Proper Hours Day

This Friday.

WordPress

WordPress - open source blogging software. As used by mySociety - who have, incidentally, recently launched WriteToThem.com, which looks useful - rant to your elected representatives as well as on this blog.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Fitzrovian Thursday

Anyone up for the pub on Thursday evening? I am and I think Seumas is as well...

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Stop the War March

It's two years today since this. (Also the setting of new Ian McEwan novel.)

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

Alan Moore interview

Interesting (and long) interview with a genuine genius. (Don't agree with his assertion that consciousness is predicated on language however).

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Vietnam Syndrome

“United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam’s presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 percent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong. A successful election has long been seen as the keystone in President Johnson’s policy of encouraging the growth of constitutional processes in South Vietnam.”

- Peter Grose, in a page 2 New York Times article titled, ‘U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote,’ September 4, 1967.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Carbon Balancing?

Am thinking of paying to plant some trees, in order to 'carbon balance' my forthcoming air trip to Melbourne.

However, not actually sure if it's worth doing or not. Interesting science/public policy discussion on the subject here: http://www.rockfax.com/forums/t.php?t=114895 seems to suggest that it might not be worth it.

All Fitzrovian views welcome...