In support of open borders and meta-context awareness

Perry de Havilland has a splendid example of how the left and right generally share ‘meta-context’ (the unspoken axioms that we take for granted when we discuss something). This one relates to immigration. In Perry’s words:
In less benighted times the arrival of more people would have been referred to as a ‘growing market’ (i.e. a […]

This is why they pay AA Gill so much money

What other food reviewer could so seamlessly work a quotation like this into a restaurant review?

Hamburgers, like pizza, bloody marys and fellatio, are things that incite fierce argument about technique, authenticity and heresy. In fact, they’re all just simple constructions.

Need help with windows

It’s coming along - still unpacking

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

For once, it’s not a Microsoft problem.
This building is 117 years old. The landlord is not allowed to replace the windows, for the usual stupid, evil planning and conservation reasons. The upshot of this is that, all summer, my air conditioning was running itself ragged to […]

In the spirit of Jerry Springer

I guess Cincinnati city councilwoman Laketa Cole is just trying to keep it real:
“She called me a whore, so I called her one back,” Cole said. “That’s when she ran up on me and started attacking me. My shirt was all torn up; she grabbed my hair and pulled it. I had a mark on […]

Eat more, move less, regulate insulin, lose weight

If you don’t feel like being a slave to the gym for the rest of your life, you’re in luck: According to science journalist Gary Taubes, lots of exercise isn’t what will help you lose weight or keep it off.
I’m a fan of Taubes since reading his fantastic, ridiculously heavy new book, Good Calories, […]

Favorite photo from the last week

flying over New York

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

I only had the camera on my BlackBerry to hand, but I don’t think there’s a camera that could have done this view justice. Those clouds on the bottom are directly over Manhattan.

Hugh MacLeod KILLS ME

pussy is the killer app

Originally uploaded by Laughing Squid.

Will he ever run out of juice? I sure hope not.
(Photo credit: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid)

Final Friday (October)

Bob has some great photos from last night (including one of me looking totally gormless). Despite the look on my face, it was a fun night and really excited me about all of the great arts action going on in this town - a fantastic mix of “respectable” stuff and underground, gritty work that just […]

Good parenting, the classical liberal way

Reports that video games are good for kids remind me of this most excellent pamphlet by Iain Smedley, from way back in 1994: Sonic the Hedgehog as Individualist Hero (PDF, unpretty HTML). I knew I’d gotten something out of the hours that I used to play Sonic and Super Mario Brothers 3 with my brother…
Iain […]

Support the Burmese people: Send panties

This (via Doc) is incredibly cool:

The “Panties for Peace” campaign aimed at Burma’s military regime is gaining momentum, with the establishment of a committee to drum up support in Thailand. The campaign began on October 16, with women throughout the world sending packages to Burmese embassies containing panties. Burma’s superstitious generals, particularly junta chief […]

Eating for England: The Delights and Eccentricities of the British at Table

My abiding love for the everyday felicities of Britain (which go some ways towards compensating for the everyday hassles) means that I will definitely be putting Nigel Slater’s new book on my Christmas list. Oh, I feel homesick just thinking about Branston pickle, Penguins, Clubs, and Melton Mowbray pork pies…
As for tea: I never really […]

The next Café forum at the Institut français

I’m sorry I’m not in London for the discussion, led by Richard Baron, of body parts for trade and donation. That’s at the French Institute, very near South Kensington station, this Saturday (arrive at 10:20 am for a prompt start at 10:30). This particular forum will be conducted in English. Bring your coffee and croissants […]

Picnik paid

They left the upgrade open and free to all users for a lot longer than the promised seven days, but Picnik’s premium photo editing features are now only available to those willing to shell out $24.95 per year for access to them. I paid without hesitation. (Not quite true: The Flash payment form did annoy […]

Question of the day

Is there a wiki software offering which is not abominally user unfriendly?
I’m a power user, and I really cannot be bothered with much of what’s out there. It’s hard to put forward recommendations to less savvy users with any degree of confidence. “It works, but it will be a pain in the ass to […]