The interesting thread

DavidW · February 13, 2012, 04:07:04 AM

Quote from: eyeresist on February 12, 2012, 03:25:25 PM
Whereas the exploding head is much more tasteful

Done. Sorry if the image was offensive. It's a well known internet meme which I thought defused the graphic-ness of the image. My new avatar is none other than Robert Simpson.

Karl Henning · February 13, 2012, 04:12:51 AM

He looks like MN Dave's chubby older brother . . . .

Opus106 · February 13, 2012, 04:22:33 AM

Quote from: karlhenning on February 13, 2012, 04:12:51 AM
He looks like MN Dave's chubby older brother . . . .

His resemblance to the Elusive One was what struck me initially.

Papy Oli · February 13, 2012, 10:17:42 AM

http://images.4channel.org/f/src/589217_scale_of_universe_enhanced.swf

Lethevich · February 13, 2012, 10:33:41 AM

Quote from: Papy Oli on February 13, 2012, 10:17:42 AM
http://images.4channel.org/f/src/589217_scale_of_universe_enhanced.swf

Awesome! Nice to see Minecraft making a cameo appearance too

eyeresist · February 13, 2012, 02:00:37 PM

Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2012, 04:07:04 AMDone. Sorry if the image was offensive. It's a well known internet meme which I thought defused the graphic-ness of the image.

Don't worry, I wasn't offended. If anything it reminded me that I really need to add more Cronenberg to my collection. I was unaware of any meme.

EDIT: Re "Scale of universe" - Oh, what a surprise, 4chan is blocked at work.

DavidW · February 13, 2012, 02:18:40 PM

Quote from: Papy Oli on February 13, 2012, 10:17:42 AM
http://images.4channel.org/f/src/589217_scale_of_universe_enhanced.swf

It was blocked at work, but at home it is very cool!

Szykneij · February 13, 2012, 02:31:48 PM

Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2012, 02:18:40 PM
It was blocked at work, but at home it is very cool!

Incredibly cool, especially if you have a scroll wheel on your mouse!

eyeresist · February 13, 2012, 03:40:05 PM

It's many years since I commuted by peak-hour train, so I don't recall if this innovation was really necessary: "quiet carriages".

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/commuters-embrace-the-calm-before-the-workday-storm-20120213-1t29y.html

DavidW · February 13, 2012, 04:13:07 PM

Quote from: Szykneij on February 13, 2012, 02:31:48 PM
Incredibly cool, especially if you have a scroll wheel on your mouse!

Suck it mac users!!

j/k

When I got down to the quantum foam I scrolled all the way out to the entire universe... it was awesome.

nesf · February 14, 2012, 08:41:23 AM

I love things like this: http://htwins.net/scale2/

Universe Scale Interactive Graphic. Zoom in and out from the size of the observable universe to the Plank Length. Update on the 2010 one they released with more interesting things and details in it! Click on things to get information on them.

Opus106 · February 17, 2012, 09:45:46 AM

A beautifully written article: a paean to the telescope and a case for the James Webb.

http://lareviewofbooks.org/post/17656414662/golden-eye

Lethevich · March 12, 2012, 10:04:58 AM

Finally, more uses for bridges.

http://englishrussia.com/2011/09/19/are-you-afraid-of-heights/#more-68090

NSFW: http://sexonbridges.com/

eyeresist · March 12, 2012, 07:19:15 PM

Swiss voters reject more annual leave

Karl Henning · March 13, 2012, 04:01:15 AM

Quote from: eyeresist on March 12, 2012, 07:19:15 PM
Swiss voters reject more annual leave

Quote. . . rejecting a minimum six weeks paid holiday a year

Now, without at all suggesting that I should object to six weeks paid vacation . . . it almost seems absurd that a month and a half would be the bare minimum for any working nation. Rejecting this does not strike me as at all loopy.

eyeresist · March 14, 2012, 05:07:54 PM

Quote from: karlhenning on March 13, 2012, 04:01:15 AMNow, without at all suggesting that I should object to six weeks paid vacation . . . it almost seems absurd that a month and a half would be the bare minimum for any working nation. Rejecting this does not strike me as at all loopy.

I think the way these things would work out is that permanent public servants get the 6 weeks; in the real world, everyone else gets what their boss can afford to give.

Karl Henning · August 06, 2013, 08:00:22 AM

At roughly the same time, John Henry purchases The Boston Globe from The New York Times (for less than the contract of a Major League pitcher, as has been pointed out), and Amazon buys The Washington Post.

Opus106 · August 06, 2013, 08:04:09 AM

Quote from: karlhenning on August 06, 2013, 08:00:22 AM
Amazon buys The Washington Post.

Not quite. Bezos put in his own money.

QuoteMr Bezos is buying the paper and its other print properties in a personal capacity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23581085

Karl Henning · August 06, 2013, 08:05:59 AM

Thanks for the corrigendum. I must even have heard it that way, but wound up (as you note) mis-reporting it.

Szykneij · August 06, 2013, 11:02:02 AM

Quote from: karlhenning on August 06, 2013, 08:05:59 AM
Thanks for the corrigendum. I must even have heard it that way, but wound up (as you note) mis-reporting it.

Historically, most newspapers were family-owned until recently, when the business climate for newspapers turned and large corporations gobbled them up. I guess it's a good thing these two major outlets were purchased by individuals. It's hard to imagine any one person having that much money, though.