Status
Today was the first day wearing shorts this year. And also the first time ever wearing shorts to work. Another reason to love this new job.
Merlin Mann just said what I thought was “Trump loyal” on the Reconcilable Differences podcast. Intriguing.
Then I realised he said “trompe l’oeil”. Which made more sense in context, but was less interesting.
Why do Americans (or at least American podcasters) say “soddering” for “soldering”? Is it just a weird pronunciation (and if so, why?) or is it a slightly different spelling, like aluminium?
Ev Williams on the future of reading and writing on the net:
Now we can’t stand to sit through ads…
Where I come from we never could; because we grew up on the BBC. Whose funding, when you think about it in modern terms, is essentially a subscription model, though paying the subscription — the TV Licence fee — is mandatory if you have a TV.
In the early days that made sense, because the BBC was all there was on the TV. Now it seems harder to justify, but I’ve yet to see a solution that would be both as successful and as egalitarian. Because the licence is very, very cheap compared to the alternatives.
Stiff Little Fingers were the first band I every saw, back in 1980, at the Glasgow Apollo. Tonight I’m off to see them again (for maybe the sixth, seventh, eighth time), at the Forum in Kentish Town.
There’s a Blues Brothers quote that seems appropriate here. And it’s not the one about sunglasses.
BREAKING: American Nazi wins Republican primary in Illinois’ Third Congressional District.
And I see that downstream people have posted the requisite clip.
Professor Hawking told us to loook up at the stars… he probably didn’t live in London.
Aw, Stephen Hawking, man. It’s not exactly sad, because he had a good life, especially compared to the two-year prognosis he was given. But still.
His name will forever be written in evaporating black holes.
OK, so I’m watching Stranger Things, and in season 2, episode 8, it gets really weird. You need to know BASIC to reboot the security system?
But then I remembered: it’s set in the eighties. So it almost makes sense.
I should just mention that Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, is brilliant. Best film I’ve seen this year. And I’ve seen Black Panther. (Which, don’t get me wrong, is also great.)
It’s amusing to see that this article, called ‘Why Decentralization Matters,’ is on Medium.
Where’s Alanis Morissette? (Sorry, ‘Ironic’ cliché.)
Oh, well done, Orbit. I salute not just the publication, but the use of weapons language:
We’re thrilled that the Estate has given us permission to publish the collection, and that owing to special circumstances Ken MacLeod has agreed to join the team working on it.
You can’t leave it there, Star Trek! I mean, you totally can; it’s a great place to leave it. But when’s season 2? 🖖
I’m on an Edinburgh-London train that seemingly has no power sockets (here in coach H, next to the café, at least). What?!? What decade are we in?
Luckily, phone, iPad, headphones, and Kindle all have enough charge for the journey. And I have the season finale of Star Trek: Discovery downloaded. Off we go, then. 🖖
A year ago today I was on a train to Edinburgh. It was snowing at Peterborough.
Today I am also on a train to Edinburgh. No snow, but it’s so crowded that I can’t get to the buffet car. Well, I could, but I’d have to push my way past so many people that I can’t face it. This is why you should buy your sandwiches before you get aboard.
Why is it so crowded, though? Is there something going on that I don’t know about? Or is it something to do with the fact that Virgin run the franchise now?
Marina Hyde has been on fire at the Guardian lately, but this headline is just something else: A-hole in a K-hole: Katie Hopkins’ ketamine adventures
Newspaper journalists don’t usually write their own headlines, but whoever came up with that one deserves an award.
I’m reminded by last year’s post (though really by Facebook: that’s one thing it’s good at) that Feb 7 is recognised by some as International Clash Day. Doesn’t feel like a year, etc. 🎵 #internationalclashday
I have job news. Or I will, soon, I hope. Just waiting for some paperwork…
(OK, Mr Mysterious, that’s enough.)
Why does using psychic powers always cause nosebleeds?
(Still watching Stranger Things.) 📺