Saturday, June 15, 2024
Role model
Here is an example, courtesy of a Fatboy Slim music videoFatboy Slim music video, of the current, infant state of AI video generation.
Things I learned lately 15 June
- To celebrate Pride, Burger King has introduced the Pride Whopper. It has either two top buns or two bottom buns on each burger. No, I’m not kidding. The buns are same-sex.
- A Model S owner in the UK has put 692,000 km on their car in 8 years. Original battery and motors.
- Chatham Ontario in the mid 19th century, before the American Civil War, was a destination for blacks escaping the American south, and slavery. At the time, ⅓ of Chatham was black, and a centre of the anti-slavery movement.
- The Rideau Canal construction cost the lives of 1,000 workers.
- The top 3 potato producers in Canada right now are: 1. Alberta; 2. PEI; 3. Manitoba.
- Half of your cells are bacteria, 99% of which live in our digestive system.
Friday, June 07, 2024
Small things 7 June
- If you can be a felon and be president, they need to remove felon off of all job applications, rental applications, and professional certifications. If the highest position in the land can be taken by a felon, all positions should follow suit.
- Tradition n. Peer pressure from dead people.
- I never understood why Microsoft used to think 3D objects needed its own folder.
- You can kiss yourself in the mirror, but only on the lips. ~NdGT
- The Foo Fighters must be doing a fabulous job because I’ve never encountered a Foo.
- The risk I took was calculated. But I’m really bad at math, so…
- I watched The Hunt for Red October. I like movies with subtitles.
- There’s really only one thing you can do about bad people. Don’t be like them.
- Lies spread faster than truth.
- Sure there's watermelon. But shouldn't there be earthmelon, firemelon, and airmelon? The four elemelons.
- When I think about the 80s, the ghetto blaster comes to mind. That’s a stereo type.
- “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” ~George Carlin
- The funniest thing I’ve ever heard is when someone who apparently doesn’t trust a medical doctor to know about current medical issues declares, “How long has it been since they left medical school?”, as if the longer you are out of school, the less you know about the latest medical knowledge. And then I silently argue, “Hey, but how long has it been since YOU went to medical school? Oh, you never went? Yeah I think we’re done here.”
Excuses, excuses
I love this video.
Finally, we have someone who is capable of seeing through press release BS to out hyper-capitalist employee abusers.
This is what basic journalism should look like. Too bad it doesn’t. Also, it’s too bad that the growing number of mom and pop retailers that have proven it is possible to pay a living wage while still making money and not charging a fortune rarely makes the news.
Plants with defenses that we consume anyway
Many plants have evolved unique tastes or smells as a defense mechanism to deter animals from eating them. These adaptations can make the plant unpalatable or even toxic to potential herbivores, thus increasing the plant's chances of survival and reproduction. Here's a list of some notable plants with such defenses:
- Capsaicin in Chili Peppers: The compound capsaicin gives chili peppers their distinctive spicy heat. It's a deterrent mainly for mammals; birds, which are the primary dispersers of chili seeds, are unaffected by capsaicin.
- Caffeine in Coffee Plants: Caffeine acts as a natural pesticide. In high concentrations, it can be toxic to insects and other herbivores that might otherwise feast on the coffee plant.
- Nicotine in Tobacco Plants: Nicotine is a potent neurotoxin to insects. This alkaloid protects tobacco plants from being consumed by most herbivores.
- Tannins in Oak and Other Plants: Tannins, found in oak leaves and acorns, as well as in other plants, can make the plant parts bitter and less palatable to animals. They can also interfere with an animal's ability to absorb nutrients from food.
- Cyanogenic Glycosides in Cassava: Cassava plants produce these compounds, which can release cyanide when the plant tissue is damaged. This serves as a strong deterrent against consumption.
- Pyrethrins in Chrysanthemums: Pyrethrins are natural insecticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. They are effective in repelling many types of insects.
- Menthol in Mint: The cooling sensation of menthol, found in various mint species, can be an irritant to some animals, deterring them from eating the plants.
- Thujone in Sage and Wormwood: Thujone is a compound found in plants like sage and wormwood (the latter is known for its use in absinthe). It can be toxic in high doses and deters many herbivores.
- Eugenol in Cloves: Eugenol provides the aromatic smell and taste of cloves and can act as an antimicrobial and insect repellent.
- Limonene in Citrus Rinds: Limonene gives citrus rinds their characteristic smell and serves as a natural insecticide.
- Allicin in Garlic: When garlic cells are damaged, they release allicin, a compound with a strong odor that is toxic to insects and microorganisms.
Things I learned lately 7 June
- The Toronto City Hall was designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell. The design was chosen through an international competition held in 1958, which attracted more than 500 entries from 42 countries. Revell's innovative and modernist design features two curved towers of differing heights wrapping around a saucer-like council chamber, creating a distinctive and iconic architectural landmark for the city. Viljo Revell died in 1964, just before the building was officially opened in 1965.
- Words that have their roots in Viking language (Old Norse): sky; skull; skill; they; them; their; are; take; crawl; dazzle; guess; trust; slaughter; ransack; club; knife; berserk; husband; skirt; egg; any place name ending in -by or -thorne or -thwaite or -wick; Thursday.
- Saudi Arabia wants to build a 2 km high tower. No details yet, but it is supposedly in design.
- The reason why Manhattan’s financial district is located where it is, is because this is close to the location of the original docks.
- What is now Stanley Park in Vancouver used to be a military reserve.
Saturday, June 01, 2024
Small things 1 June
- A möbius strip was sobbing as it walked into a bar. The bartender said, "What's wrong?" The möbius strip said, "Where do I even begin?"
- What do coral get stressed about? Current events.
- I’m not saying that I’m wacky, but let’s just say you better not have a nut allergy.
- The folks who first explained different mushrooms: “This one tastes like beef. This one killed Bob immediately. This one makes you see God.”
- Remember those metal slides in playgrounds that got hot enough under the summer sun to give you a 3rd degree burn? Good times.
- If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood.
- Ever notice when geese fly in a V formation, one side is always longer than the other? This is because there are more geese on that side.
- I find it funny that the airport constantly reminds you not to leave your belongings unattended, then forces you to surrender your carry-on stuff to a stranger at the security gate.
- My rain sensing wipers will sometimes totally ignore the rain for like a minute, then ramp up to tropical monsoon torrent speed, neither of which is appropriate for the amount of rain falling at that moment.
Fishy
This map charts how much fish, in pounds, an average person from each country eats.
No, I’m joking. It’s the level of testosterone the average male has in each country.
No, but really. It’s the number of thousands of electric bicycles registered in each country.
No, not really. It’s in fact the number of metal bands per 1 million citizens in each country. For real.
The Vikings come from the north you say? Shocker…
The reunion that almost was
The story of Lorne Michaels offering the Beatles $3,000 to reunite on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) is a classic tale from the world of television and music. It happened during the April 24, 1976, episode of SNL, during the show's first season. Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of SNL, made a humorous on-air offer to the Beatles, suggesting they reunite for a live performance on the show for a payment of $3,000.
Michaels addressed the Beatles directly during a segment of the show, explaining that while SNL was just a simple show, they could scrape together $3,000. He jokingly broke down how the band could split the money, suggesting that if it was too much, they could give Ringo less. The offer was not meant to be taken seriously—it was a playful bit reflecting the longing for a Beatles reunion among fans.
Interestingly, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were watching the show together at Lennon’s apartment in New York, actually considered taking a cab to the studio for a surprise appearance. They thought it might be funny to show up and demand the $3,000, but ultimately decided against it, partly because they were too tired. This spontaneous idea of theirs added a fascinating footnote to the legend of the Beatles, showing how close the fans came to seeing a mini-reunion on live television.
George Harrison did indeed appear on "Saturday Night Live," but not as part of a Beatles reunion. His appearance occurred later in the year, on the November 20, 1976 episode. This episode is memorable not only for Harrison's musical performances but also for a humorous segment involving the earlier offer Lorne Michaels had made to the Beatles.
During the show, Lorne Michaels and George Harrison participated in a sketch together where they discussed the $3,000 offer. In the sketch, Michaels attempted to clarify that the $3,000 offer was meant for all four Beatles, not just George. Harrison, playing along with the joke, pretended to haggle with Michaels, trying to get the full amount just for himself. George said, “I’ve come all this way. It’s $3000. That was the deal!” Michaels replied, "You see, I thought that you would understand, you know, that it was $3000 for four people, that it would just be $750 for each of you. I mean, as far as I’m concerned, you could have the full $3000. But the network...”
After Harrison said NBC was "chintzy," Michaels offered and Harrison accepted $250 to say the show's opening catchphrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
In addition to the comedic sketch, George Harrison performed two songs from his then-latest album, "Thirty-Three & 1/3." His musical performances and the humorous back-and-forth with Michaels made this episode particularly special, highlighting Harrison's sense of humor and his willingness to engage in the playful spirit of SNL.
The joke about Lorne Michaels' offer continued in later years, particularly involving Paul McCartney. In a playful continuation of this running gag, Paul McCartney appeared on "Saturday Night Live" on December 11, 1993. During his appearance, he humorously referenced the original $3,000 offer.
In a sketch, McCartney and Lorne Michaels revisited the topic, with McCartney jokingly asking for the $3,000, as if he was finally there to collect it. The sketch was a nod to the long-standing joke from 1976 and served as a light-hearted acknowledgment of the history and the missed opportunity for a Beatles reunion on the show. Lorne
This ongoing joke became a charming and recurring element in SNL's history, tying back to the show's earlier days and its interactions with legendary musical figures like the Beatles.
Things I learned lately 1 June
- The newest Porsche Taycan EV can get from a 10% state of charge to a 72% state of charge in 15 minutes. It actually took on 67.5 kW during that time. That’s crazy.
- Tesla has the lowest maintenance and repair cost of any brand, according to a new study by Consumer Reports. When comparing cumulative costs by brand for years one through five and six through 10, they found that Tesla had the lowest maintenance costs.
- The main reason not to eat bay leaves are their unpleasant texture that can pose a choking or digestive hazard, rather than any toxicity.
- Charlie Chaplin had a large age gap in all of his marriages. He was 29 when he wed his first wife, Mildred Harris, who was 17 years old. He was 35 when he wed his second wife, Lita Grey, who was 16 years old. He was 47 when he wed his third wife, Paulette Goddard, who was 26 years old. He was 54 when he wed his fourth and final wife, Oona O'Neill, who was 18 years old.
- Two members of the band King Crimson played on Peter Gabriel’s song “I don’t remember”, Robert Fripp and Tony Levin.





















