Funmurphys: the Blog

Lightness Ahead (and Behind)

Blogging will be (and has been) light as I am in class. I know I should really just alert you when the blogging is more than merely sporadic, but at least this way I get to generate a post.

Was Barney Really A Dinosaur?

The truth can no be revealed - Barney (you know, the giant green/purple creature that liked kids to have fun and sing a lot) isn't really a dinosaur, but instead a Pretendosaurus according to three titans of science. Their startling conclusion is based both on a mass of mundane empirical observations and some truly intrepid fieldwork.

I know many of you are shaking your heads and wondering just who this Barney character is, but for those of us who had young children in the 1990's, Barney was central to our kids' (and thus ours) very existances. I won't forget that when my daughter was in the hospital how every TV was tuned to Barney and every kid was watching when he came on. The only thing you could hear was the sound of goofy kid songs and the sighs of the parents and nurses.

Irish Proverb 11

There is no need like the lack of a friend.

Has The Professor Seen The Light?

Glenn Reynolds has firmly come down on the dark side in the OS wars, and he's even tweaked James Lileks about it in the past ('when elephants mate, it's the grass that suffers' - African Proverb). But is the ice thawing? First up, he linked to an article in Slate about his new car, the RX-8, that ends with: "Cute, peppy, compact, different: Call it the Mac OS X of engines." Is he signalling a desire to switch?

He follows that up with a Tech Central Station column about the importance of looks in design entitled "Look and Feel." Get it? That was the crux of the lawsuit between Apple and Microsoft and is a phrase in constant use amongst the mac faithful. And who pushes the importance of aesthetics in design more than Apple? Nobody, that's who.

But he doesn't stop there. He ends the piece with: "And I think that Virginia Postrel is right to say that we'll see a greater emphasis on design -- and, in particular, design that appeals to people, not just designers -- over the next few decades than we've seen over the last few. That won't change the world, exactly, but it'll remove a lot of petty frustrations from our lives, and make many of the things we use more enjoyable." Gee, sounds like an Apple ad - a computer for the rest of us. And remember Steve Job's famous appeal to John Sculley: "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?"

Coincidence? I don't think so.

Lies vs. Mistakes

I'll never be a good pundit because I can't read minds. All the good pundits can. They can always tell when somebody made a simple mistake, no big deal really, and when somebody is a lying weasel of evil. I lack that talent, and so without knowing I tend to err on the side of caution. Oddly enough, it seems that there are two sets of pundits who consistantly disagree about the simple mistakes and deliberate lies. I guess if I just listened to one set or the other I wouldn't be confused and I would be unshakable in my determination of the axis of lying evil weasels.

Recurring Themes

A couple of Fridays ago, the Other Fearless Leader and I were out enjoying an evening at the Muny, St. Louis' outdoor home for musical theater. The weather was perfect, an uncommon occurance in St. Louis in August. Before the show, most everybody sang the National Anthem, a practice that seems to have started with 9-11 and continues almost 2 years later - indicative of changes in American society. The lady in front of the Other Fearless Leader complimented her on her beautiful singing (a common occurance for her, but something that's never happened to me). I always smile while singing the National Anthem because it reminds me of the scene in The Naked Gun where Leslie Nielsen can't remember the lyrics.

Anyway, we saw South Pacific, and that reminds me that based on the recommendation of Geitner Simmons I'm reading Downfall: the End of the Imperial Japanese Empire which is mighty fine so far (I'm about 1/3 finished). And speaking of Recurring Themes, the book mentions that the Japanese thought they'd win the war because the United States, a decadent liberal democracy, wouldn't be able to stand the casualties required to sustain the fight. The longer the war went on, the more that idea became the only hope the Japanese had. Sound familiar, doesn't it? Not to belittle the hardships that our soldiers are experiencing today, but what the GI's had to go through in the Pacific theater was far worse - both living (and fighting) conditions and casualties. And if you want to talk fanaticism, Japanese soldiers routinely suffered 97 to 99 percent killed in action. Pardon my French, Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose (The more things change, the more they stay the same).

Science Marches On

Who says science doesn't provide answers for everyday conundrums? For instance, the latest research shows that in fact, the chicken came before the egg. This has far reaching implications, although I for one would like to see the results repeated before I conclude that the data is solid and unassailable. But next time the guy from accounting tries to confuse me by asking which came first, the chicken or the egg, I'll have an answer for him. Then will see who gets fullly reimbursed for travel expenses!

And geologists have measured, analyzed, and confirmed that in fact, Kansas is flatter than a pancake. I for one am glad that my tax dollars go to support such cutting edge science, and I wait for additional topological comparisons between state and breakfast food - how about which is rougher, Missouri or scrambled eggs?

Irish Proverb X

He who gets a name for early rising can stay in bed until midday.

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

Call it beginner's luck, luck of the Irish, or just plain old dumb luck, but somehow I managed to win the Caption of the Day Contest at Ipse Dixit. It was an honor to just be nominated among such a wonderful group of comedians, and I never expected to win, so I don't have anything prepared. Oops, wrong prepared speach.

If any of you have come here from there wondering just who this Murphy guy is, please feel free to look around, check out the archives, hit my non-blog web site, put your feet up, and remember, mi casa es mi casa - so pick up after yourself.

Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?

OK, in case you've just crawled out from under a rock, a lot of the northeast lost power today just after 4PM. We're being assured it wasn't terrorist related, although nobody has definitive information as to what caused it. What really gets me, though, is that there are already "experts" on the cable news networks blaming not enough regulation, not enough money for maintanence, in short, whatever they said was a problem before the blackout must be the cause and must be addressed, even though they haven't a clue at this point as to what actually occured. I guess that is why I'm not an expert - I like to have an idea of what happened before I pontificate on how to keep it from happening again.

It's Baaaaack

Tuesday Morning Quarterback by Gregg Easterbrook is back (it sure felt longer than a six week hiatus) covering the NFL with a column that concentrates exclusively on non-NFL items (OK, he does talk about the Bengals briefly, but then they really aren't a football team, are they?).

Tropical Heat Wave

I was in a meeting yesterday with a bunch of Brits; I joked St. Louis and London had swapped weather for the summer. Europe has had a scorching summer; in St. Louis it's been a fairly mild one. I know we scoff when the all time record for London is 100 degrees F, but as the Brits pointed out, nobody has airconditioning at home, at work or in their cars. So I have to sympathize with them over their plight. I experience it evertime I visit my parents, because my mother dislikes airconditioning so much it's only turned on when the temperature courts 100 degrees.

One of my older co-workers pointed out that he'd lived here without airconditioning for many a year; I was a kid when we got AC at home, and I can remember the worry that it would keep us kids from playing outdoors in the summer. It didn't - we were happier having fun in the heat than being bored in the cool; but I think electronic games and cable TV channels aimed at children have to a large degree kept kids from playing outdoors (plus parents aren't as carefree with their kids as they once were.) When I was growing up, there were no electronic games; and the only programing aimed at kids were cartoons on Saturday mornings and old TV shows (think Nick at Night and TV land) on weekday afternoons on channel 11, the only non-network station in St. Louis. That was it. I grew up on humor originally aimed at adults - Green Acres, Gilligan's Island, F Troop, Petticoat Junction - shows that I was amazed to later discover were actually on network TV in primetime. Now kids can stay cocooned in their own age appropriate programming in the airconditioned comfort of their own homes. I'm sure it is their ruination. That and organized sports outside of school.

Voices Arnold Should Heed

Arnie for governor has been covered from every possible angle but one. He should listen to some advisors who are uniquely qualified: fellow celebrity republicans. While liberal celebreties tend to dabble in politics (with the notable exception of Bill Bradley), conservative ones actually run for (and somehow get elected to) office. I have done Arnold the favor of collecting just some of the wisdom of celebrity republican politicians.

Is Arnold qualified for governor? Well, as Sonny Bono (another celebrity of modest acting ability) said, "Don't let a lack of qualifications stop you from pursuing your career goals. I was never qualified for any of the positions I achieved."

What should Arnold do about the fiscal crisis facing California? He should remember the words of wisdom of Congressman Fred Grandy, AKA Gofer of Loveboat fame, who said "Why is Congress so out of touch? We're not. We are responding faithfully to the schizophrenic signals you're sending us, which is 'cut our taxes and increase our entitlements and do it in a noble manner so that we can have pride and respect in you.' "

How should Arnold approach government in California? He should take to heart the words of Ronald Reagan, another actor turned California governor, who noted that "A government that is big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take everything you have." Congressman Steve Largent considered that important enough to quote it himself.

How long should Arnold stay a politician? Not very long if he listens to Fred Grandy, who opined about politicians that it "is a good job for someone with no family, no life of their own, no desire to do anything but get up, go to work, and live and die by their own press releases... It is a great job for deviant human beings."

Should Arnold go on to Washington? Not according to Senator and TV star Fred Thompson, who observed of his time in our nation's capitol, "After two years in Washington, I often long for the realism and sincerity of Hollywood."

Oh, and here's a little something for Gray Davis from Bill Bradley: "Becoming number one is easier than remaining number one."

I Got In On The Ground Floor

Join the celebration over at Blogcritics for its (our?) first anniversary. Despite the hype, it isn't a sinister cabal, although I won't argue with Eric that we are superior bloggers.

Midwest BlogBash VI

Saturday a good time was had by all, well at least Sean (Sara's Good Time Man) who got a volume discount on his Bass Ale. We missed J Bowen who has left for greener pastures (and for some strange reason Indianapolis), but we were heartened to pick up a bunch of new people - clever Ben AKA Mr. bloghorn; Tanya, one good looking redhead (what redhead isn't goodlooking? A dye job); the inimitable C. Dodd Harris (was it just me, or were the sparks flying between C. and Tanya that night?); the Yetiette (Jim's younger and prettier sister); and some woman who talked with the heretofore mentioned (hey, I sat next to lawyer Harris) Sara and who seemed to know Marc, who was his usually ebullient self. Rounding out the lineup was Charles (with whom I celebrated my $800 refund by not buying anything for anybody), and Chris (who was so excited by the prospect of attending another Blog Bash he fell asleep in his barcalounger and arrived late).

I spent much of the night talking to a couple of third year med students from Washington University whose names have escaped me; a gal from Louisiana and a guy from Florida. The gal was a blogger, and after a search on St. Louis Bloggers for live journal bloggers, I couldn't find her. Her friend wasn't, and when he arrived was "how do you know all of these people?" incredulous. Don't underestimate the power of blogging - bringing people together really and virtually in one great meta conversation.

UPDATE: Pooja is the med student blogger I talked with, and Justin is her friend. Thanks Pooja for stopping by and setting me straight. Stop by anytime, I can use plenty of straightening up.

Sweaty Female Armpits

I get a lot (for me, anyway) of people coming here looking for sweaty female armpits, or various combinations thereof. Why? Is it a fetish? Is it scientific research? If you come here looking for sweaty female armpits, could you please leave a (family friendly) comment about why you are looking for sweaty female armpits? I feel like Lewis Black and his reaction to overhearing the remark, "If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college." So please, let me know why you are looking, so I don't get a brain aneurysm.

B or D? Foxbat, that is.

Instapundit linked to a post of Chris Regan's at Junkyard Blog that picked up a NewsMax story that said the planes may be equiped with Russian and French made electronics that were sold in violation of the post Gulf War embargo. Chris goes on to state that the planes is a Foxbat "D", and possibly the latest D variant, the RBSh. Well, I looked at the photos, and I don't think so. So I commented, and Chris agrees with me. I could have gone over to Tacitus who has a very large Power Point presentation of pictures from the excavation where the plane is labeled as a Foxbat B.

So I think it's settled that it's a Foxbat B model (which referes to the airframe), which is a pre-embargo model. But from the pictures you can’t tell what the electronics are. They could be standard issue Russian stuff (RBT or RBF), or they could be something special for the Iraqi’s. A friend of mine once worked on a radar upgrade for Egyptian MiG-21’s; maybe the Russians, or a possibility according to the reporting, the French put something together just for the Iraqi’s (or maybe the French and Russians have been working together on upgrades), or even less likely but still possible, the Iraqi’s put together something for themselves (they did develop their own extended range SCUDs). Only the intel guys know and they aren’t talking (yet).

While it isn't settled that anybody violated the embargo, it does point up the difficulty in finding WMD or any other contraband in Iraq. Bury it in the desert, kill the people who buried it (Saddam started out as a leg breaker who graduated to assassin for the Baath Party) and viola, WMD all gone (I know I read that idea someplace else first, but I can't find where - sorry).

News Media Bias: A Different Take

I made a comment over at Population One and while I have several other topics I'd rather post about and thought about more, I'm going to amplify my comment over there (have I mentioned that 1. I'm very busy and 2. I'm very lazy? Just curious).

When we talk about bias in the news media, we always seem to talk about political bias - are they a bunch of lefties as most people think, or are they really righties in disguise as a few people think. But I think there are two significant biases that shape what and how things are reported that have nothing to do with politics and everything to do with how one defines "news."

The first is contained in the word itself - news is something that is new. Old stuff need not apply, no matter how significant it may still be. Breaking developments are thus the most newsworthy, even if they don't amount to a hill of beans. Time is more significant than significance itself. Consequently, the news media, and especially the broadcast media (which has the least content bandwidth), only supplies the latest development to a news story, and if you're lucky, the penultimate development (yep, I try to work that word in whenever I can). This makes it hard to follow a story of more than one scene, let alone more than one act. Newspapers will sometimes take the time to tell a complete story, and news magazines moreso, but even there the topic has to be immediately relevant.

The second is that news is something out of the ordinary. Dog bites man is not news, man bites dog is news. The fact that my house didn't catch on fire today will never be in the news; let it catch on fire though and not only will it be covered, I'll be interviewed on the local TV stations (I'll get more air time if I cry). Laci Peterson killed: wall to wall national coverage. Another black teen shot in the City of St. Louis: barely a mention even on the local TV. This leads to a weird inversion of reality and news reports, a negative image as it were. If crime reporting is up, then crime itself is down. The news media doesn't report on the reality of life, but the rarity. News reporting is just the Springer show without the bouncers, but with the tired moralizing at the end.

So I'm not one of those who worry and fret about too much "bad" news and wish the news media would report the good news. Frankly, my view is just the opposite. If the newspapers were ever full of nothing but good news, it would be time to sell everything, buy survivalist gear, and head for the hills. In fact, my idea of a perfect world is one where the only news run is old lurid tales of unsolved crimes like the Sheppard case or JonBenet Ramsey's murder - day after day, year after year on every page, on every channel. Because if that is the only thing that is out of the ordinary, life must be very good.