Merry Frischmas

Teh Squeaky Wheel notes the latest in the ongoing legal troubles of Dr. Deborah Frisch, whose occupation until recently was, ironically, teaching decision science.

I've had my share of fun at her expense, and I've swapped plenty of insults with her in the months following her Independence Day meltdown. But though I'm glad that she is being held to account for her actions - she has caused a lot of pain to a lot of people the past six months, and for years before that as the "word warrior" - I still feel for her.

One of the comments she made to Jeff Goldstein at Protein Wisdom that shocked me into interest in her was when she said to him, "you're not human to me." Six months later, after all I've seen of her, she is still human to me. A messed up human, to be sure. But I can't take much joy in her troubles, and I pray that one day her downward slide will end, and she'll find some measure of a peaceful life.

BOOM goes the dynamite!

Much as I like WordPress - which Blogger doesn't use but which I use for other blogs - I always fear the "upgrade to latest" notification.

Note to self: learn how to back up databases.

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

This should keep me busy for a while.

1. import list into Excel.
2. Sort by size.
3. Mark books read.
4. Read, mark, read, mark...
4. Weep like my brother during the "lava-roasted Annakin" scene when there are no worlds left to conquer.

All lists like this have their biases. In my hardcore sci-fi days I was frequently told, "you're not a REAL sf fan unless you've read [x]." Sometimes, I enjoyed the book recommended; other times, I wondered what the dude was smoking to think it was worth anyone's time.

There are many reasons to read a book: entertainment, nourishment, knowledge, wisdom, inspiration, distraction, titillation, self-justification, outrage, etc. Some reasons are better than others, but I know I couldn't survive on an exclusive diet of classics - every so often I need a technothriller or a farce.

What would you add/remove on this list, and why? I don't see the Bible listed, for example - a ridiculous omission for anyone hoping to understand Western culture, whether or not you're Christian. Ditto the Koran; who would fight - or oppose - the philosophical front of the War on Terror without understanding a foundational text of the enemy?

Consider: 1001 books works out to one book every month for 83 and a half years, or two a month for 42 years (approximately). At my age, that's the latter. Do I really want to commit the totality of my free time to this list?

In a word, no. So I'm accepting suggestions.

Homosexualist Alert

The BBC reports that singer Elton John had words for Australian PM John Howard.

This from the guy who will probably sing "Goodbye, Cuba's Rose" at Fidel's funeral.

Perhaps Elton and John could settle their differences in a boxing ring.

Saturday night's all right for fighting, is it not?

'Apocalypto' Now?

Fox News says 'Apocalypto' Is More 'Mad Max' Than Mayan.

Bummer.

I was looking forward to this movie. Gibson even had a Maya scholar consulting him. But the result, while I'm sure will be visually stunning, will also be visually numbing.

I like a good "heads roll" shot as much as the next drive-in movie fan. But there does come a saturation point, at which you either tune out in disgust, or tune out disgust itself.

Rome had a similar choice to make. They went with the latter, and their coliseum became drenched with the blood of countless victims, even as they diminished daily as a people.

Fighting, and killing, in defense of your self, family, homeland, ideals, freedoms - that's one thing. Hunting for food, again, there's a point to it. But killing as spectator sport? It's an adrenaline rush with no value or purpose.

Unlike old Rome, at least Gibson's body count is virtual...

For now.

Exclusive! Must Credit Rant Monkey!

[Insert scoop here]

Traffic Magnet

I try to write something marginally serious, and get bupkis.

Guess I'll have to break out the big guns.