Archive for April, 2007

The full force of citizens

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Howard Zinn on activism to get out of Iraq:

We who protest the war are not politicians. We are citizens. Whatever politicians may do, let them first feel the full force of citizens who speak for what is right, not for what is winnable, in a shamefully timorous Congress.

Timetables for withdrawal are not only morally reprehensible in the case of a brutal occupation (would you give a thug who invaded your house, smashed everything in sight, and terrorized your children a timetable for withdrawal?) but logically nonsensical. If our troops are preventing civil war, helping people, controlling violence, then why withdraw at all? If they are in fact doing the opposite—provoking civil war, hurting people, perpetuating violence—they should withdraw as quickly as ships and planes can carry them home.

Of smarts and effort

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

The type of praise you give children, it turns out, can be counter-productive.

Executive summary: Kids told they are “smart” rather than “putting forth a good effort” tend to be risk-averse, preferring to defend their smart status rather than work on new challenges. Scientist think its due to the feeling of control (versus innate ability) that the praise engenders. It’s related to the delayed gratification circuit in the orbital and medial prefrontal cortex of the brain, a circuit reinforced by intermittent gratification. The praise must be specific and meaningful, though: vacuous plaudits are suspect in children’s eyes past the age of seven.

(Thanks to All too aware)

The Food Bill

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

Why you and I should care about the farm bill: it determines what we eat

State-initiated impeachment

Friday, April 20th, 2007

I didn’t know this: state legislatures can initiate impeachment proceedings against the federal executive. Really. And some have .

Colbert, not Fox

Monday, April 16th, 2007

Colbert audience more informed than Fox’s.

Back in the saddle

Monday, April 16th, 2007

Today, I bike-commuted to work and back for the first time since the bike accident. I’ve been meaning to do it a few weeks ago, but kept finding excuses. Mostly, I felt intimidated by having to hold up the bus as I put my bike on the rack (no biking on highway 520, and all buses must stop to let on cyclists), and slightly on guard remembering how easily it could all go awfully wrong….

The influence of early adopters

Sunday, April 15th, 2007

Cumulative advantage, a.k.a positive feedback.

Galli

Monday, April 9th, 2007

Galli, the mild-mannered cat

Do you know why cats’ eyes shine in the dark? Or why they purr? In fact, why do cats do all the things they do?

I don’t know all the answers, but I can tell you one thing: it sure is fun seeing it first-hand!

Yes, you read that right. We have a cat. Here’s the story:

Ever since we rescued Silly in Mobile, AL, I’ve been hankering for a pet. I’ve never had one, you see, and Knox always enjoyed his pets. We didn’t think anything would come of it since we were so busy looking for a house, and Knox is allergic to cats, and well, it is a bit unhygienic.

By a strange twist of fate, however, our friends D & C were looking to give one of their cats a vacation. This cat was always very shy, and felt so intimidated by the relative-newcomer dog and cat that joined the family, as well as the rambunctious humans, that it would often just stay upstairs, hiding. It would go on the roof at night, but rarely downstairs. This came to be a problem, since downstairs is where the litter box was. After one too many instances of cat pee on the bed, D & C decided this animal needed a more relaxing milieu.

And that, you see, is how Galli came to live at the Summit Manse, a.k.a. Club Fey.

She was very nervous and shy at first, and shed like crazy from the stress. Before too long, though, she got used to the good life and would consent—no, no, demand—to be rubbed. She quickly came to appreciate the fine pleasures of savoring the catnip ball and of pursuing the feathers-on-a-stick. Still skittish enough to always want an escape route, she nevertheless was quite adventurous in exploring the whole house. One time, in fact, we underestimated her shyness and let her escape through on open window. What a stressful search we had! She came back on her own later that night, to tears of joy and, a few days later, a cat collar.

My latest discovery into this feline’s psyche? She loathes the slinky with a passion and a hiss. But just hide a salmon treat inside and let her be and, well, her aversion is no match for her gluttony.

Quick update

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007

I haven’t had a chance top update this blog in a while, what with trying to settle into a new routine with my new job and all. Here’s a snippet-update on my life and quick links I meant to post: