From my new employer. How nice. The sweatshirt is incredibly boring, though ( Read more... )

http://www.livejournal.com/users/stonemirror/267996.html?thread=1106652

Chimps May Have Closer Links to Humans

Humans and chimps share 99.4 percent of DNA -- genetic code for life -- according to a team led by Morris Goodman of the Wayne State University School of Medicine ( Read more... )

"It's your motherfuckin' world. Do what you like." -- Lil' Kim

... is not having to say the Creed. What a load of old cobblers that thing is.

(However, the theatre in Orinda was nice -- thanks to bellacrow for the tip!)

We have a big push on the software front. I anticipated it a couple of months ago and tried to head it off, but my warnings were not heeded, and so now milestones are slipping and people are working crazy hours. That includes me. The upside? I'm a contractor, and I get paid by the hour. The downside: I will become an exempt employee soon, because ( Read more... )

In response to several interesting questions from mendaxveritas, I set down in epistolary and Socratic form some of my thoughts on interpreting Crowley's work in a skeptical but praxis-oriented light. I've copied some of the dialog here for my own future reference. These notes are not an essay, but may someday form the basis of one. ( Read more... )

The solution to the unreliability of the space shuttle?

Simple -- try to minimize casualties by keeping people off that godforsaken deathtrap.

This is not just my snarky observation, but the recommendation of the former commander of the space division of the Air Force Systems Command to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

NASA may have to ( Read more... )

CNN radio is repeating a short piece claiming that "jihad" does not mean "holy war" and that Islam is a peaceful religion. I have no doubt that the numerous media reports to this effect are well-meaning and meant to counter rampant and spreading anti-Muslim bigotry. Nor do I have any desire to provide ammunition to those who ignorantly defame Islam ( Read more... )