Tag: General nonsense

Have you heard of the famous Monte Hall problem in statistics? It’s freaky. And I believe it offers the best evidence that our reality is subjective. The set up is this. Game show host Monte Hall offers you three doors. One has a car behind it, which will be your…

Science continues to discover what I have long considered obvious: http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/04/mind_decision [no longer available]

Over the weekend I learned that all of my current and future problems have been solved. For example, I was worried about the cost of energy, but scientists recently figured out how to make gasoline out of plants. Problem solved. http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Money_Doesnt_Grow_on_Trees_But_Gasoline_Might.asp [no longer available] With the energy problem solved, America…

What does it mean to exist? When we talk about a person existing, we are referring to that person being a material object in the universe. Concepts are also said to exist. For example, patriotism exists, but you can’t hold it in your hand. For this discussion let’s agree that…

When was the last time a relatively poor country successfully attacked and conquered a richer country? You history buffs might come up with some examples, but I think they would be strange exceptions. I think someone smart could develop a theory that a strong economy is as good a national…

It seems to me the best way to pick a CEO would be by soliciting bids from applicants. That way you get the cheapest one that is fully qualified. And you should repeat the process every two years whether the CEO is doing a good job or not. You might…

Ever wonder what the universe is made of? Your first answer probably goes to things such as atoms and photons and maybe even the undiscovered Higgs boson particle. But what the hell are THOSE things made of? Everything is made of something else, right? So where does the trail end?…

I want to know three things about a presidential candidate: 1. Who is going to advise you (including your vice president)?2. What is your proposed budget?3. Who would you nominate to the Supreme Court? The current model of president picking is a lot like buying insurance. An insurance company will…

Several years ago I bought one of those portable blood pressure monitors. Hypertension runs in the family, so it seemed wise to keep an eye on it. Sure enough, despite my unusually healthy lifestyle, the monitor said I was on the borderline of high blood pressure. Not quite enough to…

My readers know I love a good story about a man getting frisky with an inanimate object. The recent report about a man in Ohio is my favorite so far. I won’t ruin it by giving details. Check out the link, but most important, play the video of the thick-necked…

A Russian cult emerged from the cave they were hiding in while waiting for the end of the world. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/04/01/doomsday-cult.html?ref=rss Allow me to give you some advice: If you ever decide to join a cult, the first thing you should ask about is the quality of their doomsday cave. A…

According to Time, ethanol is very bad economics and disastrous for the environment. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1725975,00.html? [no longer available] The major candidates for President of the United States all support ethanol. If Time has correctly reported the consensus of expert opinions on ethanol, it seems to me that any candidate who supports…

My favorite story recently is about the lawsuit to stop the $8 billion Large Hadron Collider out of fear that it might shrink the universe to the size of a gnat turd. And I don’t mean the plump and juicy kind. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/29/science/29collider.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin One of the reasons I like my job…

Today I am going on a two-night trip with the family. The destination promises to be lots of fun. But it takes a lot of research and planning to figure it all out. Then there is the packing and the traveling to and fro, including airports and rental cars and…

Someone needs to invent a Dilbert doll for the office that mirrors your mood during the day as the life force is drained from your body. I imagine the little doll sitting there looking all bright and fresh when you come in to work. Over the course of the day,…