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Saturday Open Thread

by nanne
Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:25:54 AM EST

How's your local climate doing?

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Saturday Open Thread | 57 comments (56 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

I've nary a climate clue, as I've been chained to my keyboard all day.

There's no such thing as original sin - Elvis Costello

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:26:50 AM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 3)

Yes, time to go out and face the weather.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:35:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

I gave a workshop today and when we went out for lunch it there was beautiful sunshine and 19°. Even now walking home from work after dark it was still 12°.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:40:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (4.00 / 7)

(click for larger image)

Via Grist.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:34:10 AM EST

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (4.00 / 3)

And it's already been posted here, but you can't receive enough reminders. Danke, they are the enemy.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:10:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (none / 1)

It was posted in Today's thread, so I missed it!

No beating that Jerome guy.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:52:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (none / 1)

My guess is he beat you to Disneyland as well. Come to think of it, he beat me too. Looks as if there's a chance i will pass on without visiting the Magic Kingdom or IKEA.

Come to think of it, i've never seen a near Arctic glacier, melting or otherwise.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:01:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (none / 1)

While I would dissuade a trip to Disneyland (I have gone without) you cannot understand our common humanity without having visited IKEA. Although, like with Disney, I suppose, if you have kids, IKEA is all around you!

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:08:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (4.00 / 4)

And I still suspect that a new picture taken from the same spot would make a stunning comparison.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:02:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can't Say They Didn't Warn Us (4.00 / 2)

Technically, we are all the enemy. Except those living in temperate climates on the energy budget of an average Sri Lankan (i.e., one tenth of average European or American).

by asdf on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 03:58:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

We just got a dousing, so I have been busy in the yard. Now, I'm catching up on a backlog of work at the office. When I need inspiration or motivation, I just look at these folks and their art:

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:38:56 AM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Sorry, I need just a bit more inspiration. If you could reduce our Puerto Rican folklore to one defining tune (impossible) it would be this one sung by this singer and played by this band:

Uncle Freddy used to play bass with them at one time.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:06:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Great 70's Formal Whites... (none / 1)

and great horns, drums, and rhythms.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:16:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

It's bloody cold, that's how. And I've been locked down since Wednesday night. Climbing the walls. Help.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:44:37 AM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Can you go to your office during the day or is this 24h lockdown?

There's no such thing as original sin - Elvis Costello

by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:09:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

It's been 24h so far. We're hoping they'll let us go to the office tomorrow.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:11:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

But there is a good reason, ne? Or do you welcome increased risk?

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:18:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

I think it's an overreaction. I don't think the risk for me is any higher than it was in July.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:19:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

OK, i'll accept that you are the best judge, for sure i can only imagine. then i guess you have to use the lockdown as enforced writing exercise. (and some good films?)

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:23:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 7)

I just feel depressed and isolated. I can't write. I can't concentrate on reading, or even films/tv.

They are making all of these over-the-top decisions about our "security," which amounts to being as conservative as humanly possible because nobody wants to take the blame if something were to go wrong. And nobody gives a damn about whether it's possible to live under these absurd, draconian and utterly unnecessary security provisions without losing our minds. Because the people who make the decisions don't actually have to live by them.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:37:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Arrgghh, it does sound very depression and extremly challenging. Most be a pretty helpless feeling being so ratically locked down. Hope it will over for you soon.

by Fran (fran at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:06:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Normal, but there's nothing like forced confinement to make you go deeper, and discover states you didn't know you had.

Mandela? still, my heart goes out to you, partly because it's also cold there.

Music doesn't work? Often works for me.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:08:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Damn (none / 1)

This sounds plain awful. Protecting human life by making human living inhumane.

Can you tell more about these conditions - is this the same house with the insufferable housemate?

by Nomad on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:20:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Damn (4.00 / 4)

Objectively it's probably not as bad as I make it sound. My room is comfortable enough, if sort of neo-Soviet. But yes, at least two of the housemates are unbearable, and the food is dreadful. It's manageable if one can get out once in a while, but when you're trapped here 24/7, it's awful.

by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 03:14:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

if im going to be alone I want it to be my own choice, having someone else chose it for me wouldnt be fun.

Hope they let you out soon, sounds like people have got far too used to solitary confinement as a solution to problems.

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:29:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Ceebs, I thought of you when I saw reports of flooding in The Lake District. Don't know how far it extends and how close you are. Glad to see your post.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:10:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Im off down on the other side of the country, a good distance away now.

The bad weather is 80 miles north of where I used to live.

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 04:25:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 5)

They are making all of these over-the-top decisions about our "security," which amounts to being as conservative as humanly possible because nobody wants to take the blame if something were to go wrong. And nobody gives a damn about whether it's possible to live under these absurd, draconian and utterly unnecessary security provisions without losing our minds. Because the people who make the decisions don't actually have to live by them.

Authoritarianism in three sentences.

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:04:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 4)

Maybe ET should schedule a retreat at my place during this time of year(?) You're welcome anytime.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 06:22:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Name the date and we're there.

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:30:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

Al Jazeera is reporting Saudi health ministry saying that four Hajj pilgrims have died from H1N1 flu

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:18:30 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Stampede!

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 04:46:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Sigh,... I see this is going to be slow and laborious.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 12:48:26 PM EST

Disney tastelessness (none / 1)

we went to Disneyland Paris today (yeah, sue me. It was 16°C/60°F, we had free tickets, and a magic pass to avoid lines). There's a "it's a small world" show with very recognisable representations of cities and cultures from all over the world (monuments, costumes, etc...). For NY they had the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and ... the twin towers. You'd think they'd have changed that by now!

Half of Paris had the same idea as we did, given the weather, so it was incredibly busy. Without the free tickets, it costs an absolute fortune, and you basically spend the day waiting in line (lines were 60-90mn. even for the smallest attractions), for short and almost always disappointing things - even the big rides are so-so - so I don't understand the popularity of the place...

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:33:46 PM EST

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

I don't understand the popularity of the place...

I think you're too tall to understand by at least a metre...

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:40:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

Ar first, I thought you were alluding to our Omni-President who chose the very same venue (Disneyland Paris) for his first public date with Carla Bruni:

Disneyland Date Has Sarkozy in the Limelight - New York Times (Dec. 2007)

Now Carla Bruni has been romantically linked to France's 52-year-old president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Mr. Sarkozy, who often says that he is proud to be called "Sarko l'Americain," was photographed with his "friend," as the French news media are calling her, on Saturday and Sunday at the most American of venues: Disneyland Paris.

Disneyland as a romantic location for a date? Imagine that...

Europeans think a hundred miles is a long way. Americans think a hundred years is a long time.

by Bernard on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:04:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

Friends in late '60s LA used to like to go to Disneyland in Anaheim to drop acid. It was safer than Magic Mountain and there was lots to trip out on. I was grateful our son outgrew it by 10 or so.

Perhaps they could update Small world with airplanes sticking out of the twin towers and the towers collapsing, only to re-arise and repeat on the next revolution. That would summarize the USA under GWB.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:18:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

Perhaps they could update Small world with airplanes sticking out of the twin towers and the towers collapsing, only to re-arise and repeat on the next revolution. That would summarize the USA under GWB.

Holy mah-goaley -- that's an really good idea.

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:49:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

Superlative tastelessness. Glad to oblige. Just one of the services I offer.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 09:34:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 1)

Superlative tastelessness is only to be expected from anyone who lived in the LA area for so many years.

And we wouldn't have you any other way.

:-)

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 11:01:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disney tastelessness (none / 0)

Why I love ET!

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer at eurotrib.com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 12:21:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

I just looked in at the rugby and France lead Samoa by 43-0.

Yes, but with their hands.

When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:34:28 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Wow, that's 37 more than Werder Bremen outclassing Freiburg 6-0, and taking the provisional Bundesliga lead in the process.

It did feel pretty good watching the team with a completely solar-powered stadium take it to Germany's solar city. especially as it was a master class in modern passing.

for me, very enjoyable.

Skennah Kowa

by Crazy Horse on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:56:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

50 Intelligent Video Sites, from what is rapidly becoming my favorite online destination: OPEN CULTURE

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:43:35 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 1)

Here is another:

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 01:46:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (4.00 / 2)

Went there and found

which looks interesting.

Merely watching that trailer has sparked realization just how right Marx was when he discussed how ownership, control really, of the Means of Production leads to control of culture and how subverting their control must, inevitably, lead to subverting corporate culture. But the Means of Production, including the Means of Distribution, is the dog and the texte is the tail. Muck around with the tail all you want, it's still the dog that has control. Which suggests almost the entire 'project' of 20th Century Art - Modernist and Post Modernist - is futile; the artist can do anything she wants under any cognitive or psychological stance, supportive or rebellious, but she is still pwned - lovely word! - by The System.

ThatBritGuy has written extensively on the problems of the creator under The System. Several people have written about the problems being a consumer. Much argument has resulted between 'em. Much of the 'conflict,' I'm beginning to realize, stems directly from the fact the intermediaries, those who control the Means of Distribution, purposely (?) set the two groups who, at the root are not in conflict, at conflict; through manipulating the Means of Distribution for their own financial benefit.

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:44:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

Does Germany have an extra tax on cross border transactions?

or does paypal have something against Germany?

Policy Updates - PayPal

n most cases, the sender decides who pays the fee. In some cases the sender will not be able to decide and the sender or the recipient will be required to pay the fee.

Recipient's Country:

UK: 0.5%

Poland 1% + 0.55 PLN

*Other European Countries: 0.5%

Australia 1%

Canada 1%

China 0%

Germany 2%

Hong Kong 0%

Singapore 0%

Taiwan 0%

U.S. 1%

Elsewhere 0.5%

Note: This fee will not be charged if a Euro payment is made between Accounts registered in the European Union or EEA.

Capitalism without bankruptcy is like Christianity without hell. Frank Borman

by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:02:51 PM EST

Re: Saturday Open Thread (none / 0)

I don't think it's a tax, but bank or credit card charges. They're not allowed between countries of the Eurozone. Britain should have... (you know the rest!).

When locusts move on, they leave nothing behind

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 03:25:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Good grief (none / 1)

Just go read it....

Classy.

Roger Pielke Sr. (center, wearing white cap) is not amused.

by Nomad on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:39:05 PM EST

All I can say is 'yawn' (4.00 / 2)

I'm on various email lists and the traffic about the hacked emails has been insane (and, ultimately, inconclusive on the content, the severity or the consequences...)

But I haven't heard about it other than within rather specialised and focused communities, so I seriously doubt this will have any kind of impact on the outside world, either way.

In any case, there will be no meaningful climate change policy changes until the Upper East Side is under water, so all these debates are a complete waste of time.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:50:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yup (4.00 / 2)

European Tribune - Climate Wars: Hacker's Paradise

Yet what the email correspondence does show, and it does so in painful detail, is the pettiness and competition existing between academics, a pettiness universal in science, no matter what field you seem to muddle in.

by Nomad on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 02:54:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Union Pacific Railroad is Useless (4.00 / 3)

Just got a call from Amtrak warning that train 6 from San Francisco to Denver will be around 3 hours late. Thanks to the UP and their disdain for passenger rail.

by asdf on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 03:59:49 PM EST

Re: Union Pacific Railroad is Useless (none / 1)

US railroads are operating close to maximum capacity and, thanks to the Congressional GOP, passenger service is the lowest on the totem pole, operating "whenever."

By popular request ... Madness takes it's toll. Have exact change ready.

by ATinNM on Sat Nov 21st, 2009 at 05:43:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No goal (none / 0)

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (jeromeguillet@yahoo.fr) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 04:41:26 AM EST

Re: No goal (none / 0)

I demand a replay.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 04:43:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: No goal (none / 0)

England once lost a penalty shoot out when Beckham stepped down a hole in the pitch right by the penalty spot and muffed his kick. Cos his was the first pen everybody else was very careful to avoid that hole. We lost 5-4.

Liverpool lost when a shot at goal was deflected by a beach ball on the pitch.

It happens. Until they change the rules regarding refereeing decisions France won "fair and square". however FIFA do allow telelvision evidence to be presented to review decisions regarding player conduct. Henry could be "red-carded" and receive a 3 match ban for the world cup.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Nov 22nd, 2009 at 05:16:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Saturday Open Thread | 57 comments (56 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

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