Can PF Random Thoughts be Split to Help with Server Load?

[Kholdstare]

Awesome new game from Activision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nl5B857Lcc

 

[ImATrackMan]

I'm making AV connectors (sockets and custom cords) out of a discarded USB extension cord. This is by far the most useless hobby-related thing I've done, and I'm not sure if when the COMPLETE project is done (because this'll be part of a much bigger thing), it'll even work.

What am I doing with my life? I could be doing something, you know, productive... like cooking, or nursing those avocado trees back to life. Instead I'm stuck on "improving" thirty year old computer hardware, because the Japanese didn't think of putting AV connectors on their video game consoles.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

It's funny how some people react to this Atkins diet. There seems to be a school of people who hate it with a passion even though they don't really know much about it. A couple even seemed to get mad when I told them how successful I've been. But the latest is the best of all. Now the story is that I didn't really lose all of that weight! She simply refused to believe that I've lost over 60 lbs. She's a massage therapist and apparently my story violated her world view.

 

[dkotschessaa]

It's funny how some people react to this Atkins diet. There seems to be a school of people who hate it with a passion even though they don't really know much about it. A couple even seemed to get mad when I told them how successful I've been. But the latest is the best of all. Now the story is that I didn't really lose all of that weight! She simply refused to believe that I've lost over 60 lbs. She's a massage therapist and apparently my story violated her world view.

I spent years arguing with my dad about it, because I thought it was crap, until my Dr. put me on (a variant of) atkins for my reactive hypoglycemia. I still have my reservations with regards to some other health issues, but I do see the logic to it.

 

[AlephZero]

No jokes about lawyers not smelling of roses ...

Ths staff at a UK solicitor's office (with the wonderfully Dickensian name of Moody and Woolley) have found the cause of funny smells and a plague of flies.

There was a dead burglar stuck in the chimney - he was probably there for 6 weeks before anybody started to complain about the smell.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-22389157

 

[Astronuc]

Historical misconceptions -

I think Evo can appreciate this.

French inches were different (longer) than English inches.

 

[Bacle2]

I'm on my 7th reading of this post. I think I've almost got it.

Yes, sorry, setting up the context seemed too long/complicated, and, given that this is
Random Thoughts, I omitted setting it up (this is my long excuse for poor writing.)

 

[Kholdstare]

This is a confession on my part. I only like slim women like the Lara Croft picture below with big boobs and a gorgeous arse. Thank you.

 

[reenmachine]

I like many kinds of women.

 

[Astronuc]

Gun Violence Since Newtown
http://billmoyers.com/2013/05/03/gun-violence-since-newtown/

Number of people killed by guns in the first 98 days post-Newtown: 2,244

 

[Andre]

In The Netherlands annual death rates resulting from firearms total in 2010: 76, that is 0.46 per 100,000 population.

For the USA that would be for 2010: 31,672 annual deaths, 10.26 per 100,000 population.

 

[micromass]

In The Netherlands annual death rates resulting from firearms total in 2010: 76, that is 0.46 per 100,000 population.

For the USA that would be for 2010: 31,672 annual deaths, 10.26 per 100,000 population.

Maybe that simply means that the dutch are bad at aiming?

 

[micromass]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMf9GlLXouA

 

[Andre]

Maybe that simply means that the dutch are bad at aiming?

One would be temped to point out at what age an American toddler can aim accurately. But that would be even more inappropriate.

 

[AlephZero]

Maybe that simply means that the dutch are bad at aiming?

Or, it measns the dutch are more rational about choosing what to aim at.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

In The Netherlands annual death rates resulting from firearms total in 2010: 76, that is 0.46 per 100,000 population.

For the USA that would be for 2010: 31,672 annual deaths, 10.26 per 100,000 population.

This is absurd, though; in the Netherlands, there are 3.9 privately owned firearms per 100 people, but in the U.S., there are 101.05 privately owned firearms per 100 people. Obviously if people don't have guns, then they can't shoot people.

I understand that a point is trying to be made here, in that having fewer guns results in having fewer deaths due to guns, but there's no legal, or constitutionally moral way to simply take away 300,000,000+ guns from civilians.

Instead we need to be looking at countries like Switzerland, for this very reason:

Clearly Switzerland is far more comparable to the United States in this category than the Netherlands is. However, Switzerland, despite there being nearly half as many guns as people, has an astoundingly small (0.52/100,000) annual rate of homicide by firearms. If anything beneficial is to be done in the U.S., then whatever Switzerland is doing, we need to implement.

Besides, the majority of the homicides committed by guns in the U.S. is primarily in a few select cities (Detroit, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, etc... *noticing a pattern here?*). Fixing those prime areas will vastly decrease homicides by guns.

*All information obtained from the same website that you used for your information.*

 

[WannabeNewton]

Man if I wasn't tied down by college, I'd love to move to Switzerland. Less gun nuts there and I don't have to worry about being robbed when taking the 7 train from Manhattan to Queens :p

Honestly though for the apparent abundance of gun owners in the US compared to other first world countries, I have never in my life actually seen a real gun (nor do I want to). I guess I got lucky in terms of where I was brought up.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

Man if I wasn't tied down by college, I'd love to move to Switzerland. Less gun nuts there and I don't have to worry about being robbed when taking the 7 train from Manhattan to Queens :p

And mountains!

 

[AlephZero]

I understand that a point is trying to be made here, in that having fewer guns results in having fewer deaths due to guns, but there's no legal, or constitutionally moral way to simply take away 300,000,000+ guns from civilians.

You don't need to take away the guns. Just impose a sales tax on bullets. Say $100 each.

 

[DiracPool]

You don't need to take away the guns. Just impose a sales tax on bullets. Say $100 each.

Absolutely, that is the solution, the Achilles heel of the gun problem. Have all the guns you want.

 

[HeLiXe]

great now we have to work on getting this thread to 1 mil + views

 

[Kholdstare]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W53Zjdh8AA#!

 

[zoobyshoe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W53Zjdh8AA#!

Well, she played a law student once or twice, you know.

 

[Bacle2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W53Zjdh8AA#!

I saw Reese Without Her Spoon.

 

[Office_Shredder]

You don't need to take away the guns. Just impose a sales tax on bullets. Say $100 each.

Then only the Amish will have bullets


(I realize this statement doesn't make any actual sense)

Honestly though for the apparent abundance of gun owners in the US compared to other first world countries, I have never in my life actually seen a real gun (nor do I want to). I guess I got lucky in terms of where I was brought up.

This is a terrible attitude. As if the mere sight of a gun is going to scar you or remove some vestige of innocence or dignity from you.

Move to Switzerland and enjoy being conscripted into the militia and required to keep a gun in your home

 

[davenn]

... This is a terrible attitude. As if the mere sight of a gun is going to scar you or remove some vestige of innocence or dignity from you.

agreed
I grew up on a farm and as with most farms the owners always had guns for pest control.
I learned to shoot a .22 rifle when I was ~ 10 yrs old and in my teens had many supervised (by dad) wanders around the farm shooting rabbits and other pests. He taught me a healthy respect for firearms both in their safe use of and in their care of ( proper cleaning, storage etc)
That followed me all through life as I grew up and owned my own rifles.
Something I would never regret

Move to Switzerland and enjoy being conscripted into the militia and required to keep a gun in your home

compulsory conscription huh, how does that work ie. age and for how long ?

New Zealand and Australia used to have compulsory consciption ... when you turned 18 and got 6 weeks or so of boot camp. I really feared the thought of it when I was a teen. fortunately there was a change in govt. just prior to my 18th birthday, compulsory military training was abolished and I was spared the experience ;)

Dave

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

This is a terrible attitude. As if the mere sight of a gun is going to scar you or remove some vestige of innocence or dignity from you.

Indifference towards viewing guns does not equate to one fearing their taking of innocence or dignity. I fail to see a point, or rationality, in this post.

 

[lisab]

OK, we all know how gun discussions end up. Please stop now and start getting random.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

OK, we all know how gun discussions end up. Please stop now and start getting random.

Typical gun-lover stance

In other news, I made a twitter account today.

 

[PhizKid]

can we talk about swords

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

can we talk about swords

No. But daggers, on the other hand...

 

[wukunlin]

Having another one of those "WHY AM I EVEN DOING AN MSC!?" moment... stupid setup has been giving me rubbish data for the past week and I just can't find where the problem is :S

ugh.. whatever I'll go back and keep trying to find out...

 

[Bacle2]

It's vulture time:

A supermarket nearby is closing , and offering discounts, closing day is 5/18.
Maybe there are Mathematical models for the optimal strategy : how to get good stuff at the
best prize; as the 18th approaches, the discount rates will be higher, but more stuff will be gone
the more one waits. I got a bunch of expensive cheeses and salamis. Maybe I'll go back when my
stomach is O.K again.

Re my last post, I meant to say that I saw Reese Witherspoon without her spoon. I can't think of
someone with a 'knife' in their names, and 'fork' is too risky.

There was a show on CNN with Steve Israel, Geoffrey Canada and Donna Brazzile as guests. Wonder
if the choice was a coincidence. Maybe they could have invited Michael Jordan too.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Re my last post, I meant to say that I saw Reese Witherspoon without her spoon. I can't think of
someone with a 'knife' in their names, and 'fork' is too risky.

Indeed! Do you not know who I am?!

-Niles T. Forkington

 

[Evo]

I can't think of
someone with a 'knife' in their names, and 'fork' is too risky.

http://www.houseofnames.com/knife-family-crest

 

[ImATrackMan]

I got a bunch of expensive cheeses and salamis.

(A nice sharp cheddar is best for what follows)

Cook an egg (scrambled for best results) or two, and put all three ingredients IN a carved out, oven crisped cuban bread roll.

Best sandwich ever, and believe me I've done it countless times... And now that I think about it, I should post this in The Food Thread.

 

[dkotschessaa]

We figured out how to make butter from scratch, but whipping cream until it's no longer whipped cream. We are utterly fascinated by this process that people have been doing for at least 2000 years. Oh and it's damn good.

Also straining homemade yogurt to make it greek and soaking beans to make sprouts. Gotta whole little lab going on in that kitchen...

 

[OmCheeto]

http://www.houseofnames.com/knife-family-crest

Scots!

They are kind of funny. You can't mention a little turn of the millennia "man purse" that you strap around your waist, lest you want to get slapped.

-------------------------
ps. I spent at least 4 minutes the other day looking for my fanny pack. Never did find the little badger...

 

[Bacle2]

Indeed! Do you not know who I am?!

-Niles T. Forkington

Ah, and there's also Mack the Knife--maybe related to the family from Evo's link.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Doppelgangers... my least favorite sci-fi cliche plot device. ugh

 

[zoobyshoe]

Doppelgangers... my least favorite sci-fi cliche plot device. ugh

Doppelgangers are very interesting to me because the probable origin of the concept is the neurological phenomenon of autoscopy, the hallucination of seeing yourself from the outside, from an external viewpoint.

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/165/6/808.abstract

Most cases of this are associated with simple partial epilepsy.

What I think this experience demonstrates is that we require some dedicated neural mechanism to tell us we are located in our bodies. When that mechanism is compromised we aren't sure where we are located and under some circumstances will hallucinate we are seeing ourselves from the outside.

 

[wukunlin]

Having another one of those "WHY AM I EVEN DOING AN MSC!?" moment... stupid setup has been giving me rubbish data for the past week and I just can't find where the problem is :S

ugh.. whatever I'll go back and keep trying to find out...

while that problem is solved. This @#$% lock in amplifier just won't give any data to my computer, aarrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[Bacle2]

(A nice sharp cheddar is best for what follows)

Cook an egg (scrambled for best results) or two, and put all three ingredients IN a carved out, oven crisped cuban bread roll.

Best sandwich ever, and believe me I've done it countless times... And now that I think about it, I should post this in The Food Thread.

Good idea, but I'll have to wait a while; I have been eating so much that I get short of breath just by using the remote.

 

[turbo]

Good idea, but I'll have to wait a while; I have been eating so much that I get short of breath just by using the remote.

That's inspiring. I can get winded by just changing my mind.

 

[dkotschessaa]

Doppelgangers are very interesting to me because the probable origin of the concept is the neurological phenomenon of autoscopy, the hallucination of seeing yourself from the outside, from an external viewpoint.

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/165/6/808.abstract

Most cases of this are associated with simple partial epilepsy.

What I think this experience demonstrates is that we require some dedicated neural mechanism to tell us we are located in our bodies. When that mechanism is compromised we aren't sure where we are located and under some circumstances will hallucinate we are seeing ourselves from the outside.

That's possibly one origin, though a bit abstruse. The way it's used as a plot device (and a very worn one) is usually playing on fears that somebody is not who they seem, or basic questions about identity, or whether we are (as you kind of hint at) defined by our physical bodies or something else.

 

[collinsmark]

Today's xkcd:

I'm So Random

(With mouseover: "In retrospect, it's weird that as a kid I thought completely random outbursts made me seem interesting, given that from an information theory point of view, lexical white noise is just about the opposite of interesting by definition.")

[Source:http://www.xkcd.com/1210/]

 

[Borek]

http://world.time.com/timelapse/

 

[Borek]

Wow. Talk about luck. Picture taken after tornado in Poland, July 2012.

http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/wiadomosci/zwyciezcy-grand-press-photo-2013,5513898,14289195,fotoreportaz-duzy.html

 

[HeLiXe]

Good idea, but I'll have to wait a while; I have been eating so much that I get short of breath just by using the remote.

lolol

 

[Borek]

3 y.o. son of our friends, asked what was for dinner at kindergarten: "meat, potatoes and leaves".

(Note: dinner here is eaten at about the same time you eat lunch.)