Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results - omit duplicates and gibberish. That's it: it is that simple. But be honest! These are actual quotes from the top ten results.

1. Douglas needs Major Expansion.
2. Douglas needs your support now!
3. Douglas needs to shut up.
4. Douglas needs YOU.
5. Douglas needs help.
( Read more... )

People, buy Pepsi. Unless they cave, in which case buy Coca-Cola.

"AFA asked Pepsi to stay neutral in the culture war." What? They're not the Romulans, you know.

It's true.

So-called 'wildcat' (nice name - in my experience, domesticated or not, there's no such thing as a non-wild cat) strikes have been breaking out in the UK over the employment of foreigners. I do think that people who are striking about this are, in their special way, idiots. This kind of employment protectionism gets no-one anywhere. And this is ( Read more... )

This article by Steven Pinker, the language theorist, in the New York Times, is ostensibly about Obama's bungled oath of office, but it also contains a few passages that nicely encapsulate my approach to grammar.

'Language pedants hew to an oral tradition of shibboleths that have no basis in logic or style, that have been defied by great writers for ( Read more... )

My feelings on the United States closing of Guantanamo Bay ( Read more... )

The top 25 songs of 2008, mashed:

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I've been reading the comments on the Guardian's story about Matt Smith being cast as the 11th Doctor. It's surprising how prejudiced people are about young people. I happen to quite like this new Doctor - after all, the Doctor is 900+ years old, so no actor is of 'sufficient age/experience' to adequately play him. But this is because I am an ( Read more... )

I suddenly feel an urge to grow a moustache.

This urge needs to be combatted swiftly and with all necessary force.

I do sometimes wish I were an expert on something. Instead my knowledge covers a wide range of issues over which I have rather shallow understanding. I sometimes startle myself at my lack of intellectual or moral rigour.