I have not used LJ in quite some time, but some of you lovely people are still using LJ as a primary social network.  This includes just a few of you who I really care about.

It's really great when you link your LJ posts from Google+ or Facebook.  (Preferably Google+.)  Some of us who no longer check LJ would still like to see what you're saying!

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I believe in total, absolute openness and honesty in relationships.  I wish this could be applied more broadly, but societal conventions label very direct communication as "rude".  Instead, we're expected to dance around every interaction, watching for subtle cues that may mean very different things to the different people involved, and guessing at ( Read more... )

This is a hilarious video.  It was described to me as "When Carl Sagan meets Cupid."  It's sort of a satirical love song with a strong mathematical bent.

If that hasn't sold you on watching it, I'm posting some lyrics in comments, but it's funnier if you just watch without reading them first.

This year, I am on a quest to create more happiness and meaning in my life. I believe these are things we make rather than find.

Admittedly, this is an ongoing quest, something I've been doing and will always continue doing.  However, I've decided to approach it more formally this year, and to more aggressively seek out contributing experiences, new ( Read more... )

I read Neal Stephenson's Anathem last month, and it was great. Here's my review ( Read more... )

The Romans celebrated the solstice today, December 25. (Today this is when the days begin to grow visibly longer, but their date was probably based on the true solstice in the Julian calendar.) It became Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, Day of Birth of the Unconquered Sun. This festival celebrated the sun god, Deus Sol Invictus - a inclusive concept ( Read more... )

This is an awesome ad from a bank in Argentina; it was actually produced in 2007.

Click to view

Thanks to sidhefire

Woohoo, today is Steamcon!

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Modern faucet design encourages people to waste water ( Read more... )