Spent, He Retired To His Fainting Couch
February 28, 2019
Right, I’m taking a few days off. Call it a long weekend. A revitalising interlude. By all means amuse yourselves by sharing links and snippets in the comments and then bickering about them. I’ll leave you with some conversational possibilities, including an inadvisable solution; an activity for the weekend, the rules of which are somewhat unclear to me; some stop-motion cross-sections; a small boy’s sporting monologue; and, via Damian, how to spot a classy diner.
The reheated series and greatest hits are there to be poked at.
Meanwhile among the Antipodeans, language courses become "diverse", or culturally appropriated, it is unclear which.
I am curious what the Chinese for "homie" is.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | February 28, 2019 at 12:28
an activity for the weekend, the rules of which are somewhat unclear to me;
WTF?
Posted by: Clam | February 28, 2019 at 12:36
The highly-enjoyable posts on here about 'performance art' show human beings trying to be automatic and unfeeling, though often without grace, strength or even purpose.
Thus, to show people how performance with grace, strength and purpose is done, I offer you this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buQsRdt1Ajg&feature=youtu.be
Man can be ingenious in such little but vital ways.
Posted by: Watcher In The Dark | February 28, 2019 at 12:50
Decisions...
https://twitter.com/OnlineAlison/status/1100816143026028544
Posted by: Joan | February 28, 2019 at 14:41
Why is it always mentrual blood?
Posted by: Steve E | February 28, 2019 at 15:18
When somebody goes to a lot of effort to contort common sense, like the common sense on sexual differences, into ideological compliance, we say that they're engaging in mental or rhetorical gymnastics.
But there's another sense in which gymnastics is a good metaphor for the game of narrative conformity. Every year, the scoring rulebook is amended. A move that would have been rare and attempted with trepidation ten years ago, might now be compulsory, with the judges deducting marks if they detect any wavering, hesitation, or lack of smoothness in the transitions.
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/trans-athletes-make-great-gains-yet-resentment-still-flares-n975646
An impeccable piece of narrative gymnastics, defying gravity and making you catch your breath - how could she not have fallen off the beam? - yet made to look effortless.
Posted by: Mullion | February 28, 2019 at 15:18
Man can be ingenious in such little but vital ways.
I don't know why you're glorifying the loss of good paying chainmaker jobs. Once was a man could feed his family and maybe even take a vacation if he worked hard on the chain floor. The American Dream is dead and we need socialism to deal with the suffering a post-chain world will inevitably inflict.
Posted by: Sam | February 28, 2019 at 16:10
Why is it always mentrual blood?
Why, indeed? I suppose one reason is that nobody close to these people ever informed them that discussing their menstrual happenings is as interesting and desirable as analyzing the consistency of their latest fecal offering.
Posted by: Sam | February 28, 2019 at 16:15
Careful, mate -- these creatures will interpret that sentiment as an invitation to smear their faeces across any surface within reach, and then demand that we offer our enthusiastic plaudits for their inspirational, deeply meaningful work.
Posted by: Governor Squid | February 28, 2019 at 16:29
Damn, you're right Gov.
"The Health Department? How many divisions have they got?"
Posted by: Sam | February 28, 2019 at 16:39
Decisions...
From the link:
"Addicted to Psychics / Addicted to Body Casting"
What the heck is that???
Posted by: pst314 | February 28, 2019 at 17:02
I suppose one reason is that nobody close to these people ever informed them that discussing their menstrual happenings is as interesting and desirable as analyzing the consistency of their latest fecal offering.
A positive feedback loop in a closed social group?
I once ran across an account of hippies in a rural commune who, after a child was born, would celebrate by cooking and eating the placenta.
Posted by: pst314 | February 28, 2019 at 17:06
a rural commune...would celebrate by cooking and eating the placenta
Considering the famine inherent in communism I'd say that's perfectly rational behavior.
Posted by: Sam | February 28, 2019 at 17:27
David, you’re a slacker.
Posted by: Pogonip | February 28, 2019 at 18:03
I'd say that's perfectly rational behavior.
I've long wondered how much use those hippies made of government welfare programs--and even private charities.
Posted by: pst314 | February 28, 2019 at 18:06
The reheated series and greatest hits are there to be poked at.
When you poke the abyss, does the abyss poke back?
Posted by: pst314 | February 28, 2019 at 18:32
No, it just giggles.
Posted by: Pogonip | February 28, 2019 at 21:45
Decisions...
I wonder which tastes better. You'd probably get more calories per dollar going with the psychics.
Posted by: jabrwok | February 28, 2019 at 21:57
...how to spot a classy diner...
'unsanitary.
[ shudders ] Those colonies will never amount to anything.
Posted by: Trevor | February 28, 2019 at 21:59
Now I need some Jo blocks.
Posted by: lotocoti | February 28, 2019 at 22:00
an activity for the weekend, the rules of which are somewhat unclear to me;
WTF?
Well, as the page states, In case you ever wondered what tag + parkour + and fight club would look like. . . .
Certainly rules keepers do need to establish a set framework, to be certain that no one gets killed during all the running and jumping . . .
I notice that skiing is done at the Olympics, as is target shooting. What if someone decided to do target shooting during a bit of skiing?
Posted by: Hal | February 28, 2019 at 22:08
From the link:
"Addicted to Psychics / Addicted to Body Casting"
What the heck is that???
The latter? Making an educated guess . . . . Just hold still for a moment, just a moment, 'k, mebbe several moments . . . !
Posted by: Hal | February 28, 2019 at 22:16
Those colonies will never amount to anything.
Well it is Palatka. East Palatka is where the upper crust lives. They have a Sonny’s BBQ.
Posted by: WTP | February 28, 2019 at 22:23
When you poke the abyss, does the abyss poke back?
Could be worse, after all.
There's No Abyssness Like Show Abyssness.
---Mason Williams
Posted by: Hal | February 28, 2019 at 22:34
Meanwhile among the Antipodeans, language courses become "diverse", or culturally appropriated, it is unclear which.
Coming from the Daily Mail I'm not sure how much I trust the story. It's referring to state education in NSW (one of six states). I know here in Victoria there are a few efforts to revive teaching Aboriginal languages in schools, too.
I'd support some of those efforts - languages are *worth* preserving - but not a crappy official course in teaching modern Aboriginal English, essentially English with a few jazz words thrown in. Any kid worth his or her salt would pick that up on the street anyway.
Posted by: TimT | February 28, 2019 at 23:42
Footage from the natural world.
Posted by: TimT | February 28, 2019 at 23:56
Cute!
Posted by: Pogonip | March 01, 2019 at 02:04
an activity for the weekend, the rules of which are somewhat unclear to me
This sport is played, to a slightly less formal degree, in sink estates all over the UK. In London, they use knives, which purists consider a little excessive...
Posted by: MC | March 01, 2019 at 02:20
Some things never change ... indeed.
Posted by: Darleen | March 01, 2019 at 05:55
'Our betters'
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/380007.php
Posted by: Rafi | March 01, 2019 at 07:20
Being "transgender" not at all a mental issue for this
galguypersonbeing from another world.If it was half as expensive, it would be twice as cheap, stunning ceramics for your home decorating needs (possible work caution, there is feminism involved).
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 01, 2019 at 12:18
Being "transgender" not at all a mental issue for this
galguypersonbeing from another world.Yeah, he/she/it totally won life's lottery.
Posted by: Jacob | March 01, 2019 at 12:31
'Our betters'
http://www.desertsun.co.uk/blog/9181/
Posted by: Jacob | March 01, 2019 at 12:37
Science !
Repesct for science ! It's super cereal.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 01, 2019 at 12:51
Farnsworth, where did you find that goofy photo? I never saw ant coverage of that protest.
Posted by: Pst314 | March 01, 2019 at 13:40
https://twitter.com/Bertieschip/status/1101148254157373441?s=19
They don't make them like that anymore...
Posted by: Niels R | March 01, 2019 at 14:04
Farnsworth, never mind. The right half was cut off when I viewed it on my phone.
Posted by: pst314 | March 01, 2019 at 14:05
Science !
I could be wrong, but I think I saw some explorations of "vedic science" in one of Levitt and Gross's books on the anti-science left.
Posted by: pst314 | March 01, 2019 at 14:06
Being "transgender" not at all a mental issue...
The money quote from Jareth:
This is a common post surgery outcome for many transpeople. Transpeople finding out that perhaps their problems can't be traced back to being assigned the wrong sex at birth.
Posted by: Steve E | March 01, 2019 at 15:33
... stunning ceramics for your home decorating needs ...
Like my grandfather used to say, "Don't get lippy with me."
Posted by: Steve E | March 01, 2019 at 15:35
Transpeople finding out that perhaps their problems can't be traced back to being assigned the wrong sex at birth.
I like the way the word assign(ed) has been hammered into the discussion of trans-anything. Every time I see it an imagine pops into my head of a long line of babies being inducted into humanity and a tired buck private chucking their gear out at them. Occasionally some poor bastard gets the last misbegotten genitalia in the bin and has to make do.
I'll get me coat...
Posted by: Tom | March 01, 2019 at 16:07
Yeah, it's just like Ellis Island in the 1800s where illiterate/uncaring immigration officials would just rename people who had difficult-to-pronounce or write surnames.
Posted by: PiperPaul | March 01, 2019 at 16:35
Warning sign of Note.
via Geoffrey Miller
Posted by: Jonathan | March 01, 2019 at 16:52
Respect for science !
I wonder if he 'respects' This science?
Posted by: Jonathan | March 01, 2019 at 16:56
Warning sign of Note.
It's true from what I understand.
Decades ago (geez I'm old) I knew a guy who worked for the local power company in the New York City area - Con Edison. He'd survived a hefty jolt of electricity that left his arm and the side of his face scarred. I recall him saying that it not only hurt after the fact, as you might expect, but it hurt like a bastard while it was happening.
Don't play with electricity kids, it's invisible and it'll kill you dead.
Posted by: Tom | March 01, 2019 at 16:57
where illiterate/uncaring immigration officials would just rename people who had difficult-to-pronounce or write surnames.
That’s how the German branch of my family, emigrating in 1850s, of Rüppel became Rippel
Posted by: Darleen | March 01, 2019 at 17:04
"I notice that skiing is done at the Olympics, as is target shooting. What if someone decided to do target shooting during a bit of skiing?"
Pfft. Google 'skeet surfing'. Now, *that's* a sport!
Posted by: Sonny Wayze | March 01, 2019 at 17:53
Is it so surprising that collectivists view people as ants, where the Queen assigns very strict gender roles (in, er..."utero") based on the perceived need of the colony?
At a recent wedding I had some Yankee ask me what "Mexicans in Texas thought of Mr. Trump". He was a very pleasant fellow genuinely wanting to gain knowledge, but couldn't see how fundamentally wrong his worldview was. I grow more convinced that ultimately the battle isn't left v right, tradionalist v progressive, or even libertarian v authoritarian, but rather individualist v collectivist.
Posted by: Sam | March 01, 2019 at 17:55
Don't play with electricity kids, it's invisible and it'll kill you dead.
The guy was lucky. When I was 16 one of the kids in the neighbourhood decided to climb a hydro tower (the power generated where I live was, at one time, largely generated by hydro-electric dams so we refer to electicity as hydro). He didn't survive the experience. My first experience with a Darwin Award winner.
Posted by: Steve E | March 01, 2019 at 17:55
...the battle isn't left v right, tradionalist v progressive, or even libertarian v authoritarian, but rather individualist v collectivist.
Collectivist=left/progressive/authoritarian
Individualist=classical liberal/traditionalist (at least in the US)
The less said about the current crop of alleged libertarians (RINOs with bongs), the better.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 01, 2019 at 18:36
The less said about the current crop of alleged libertarians (RINOs with bongs), the better.
Shouldn't have mentioned them, then, huh? =)
I'm curious how you characterize that sort of person though. I interpret as someone who largely supports foreign intervention, fiat money, public schools, gun rights, free speech, and liberalized prostitution and drug policy.
Posted by: Sam | March 01, 2019 at 19:04
Being "transgender" not at all a mental issue
I took one look at his pics and I thought "Klinefelter's?"
Anyone else?
Posted by: Hopp Singg | March 02, 2019 at 05:49
Further re the Klinefelter's, this pic in particular got me thinking:
Note the hips.
Posted by: Hopp Singg | March 02, 2019 at 05:59
'This'
https://twitter.com/OrwellNGoode/status/1101571413025132544
Posted by: Jen | March 02, 2019 at 08:49
David, come home! All is forgiven!
Posted by: Pogonip | March 02, 2019 at 09:33
I took one look at his pics and I thought "Klinefelter's?"
If you mean does she look like a Kleinfelter's syndrome case after her surgery, yes, but if you meant she was a case prior, no, as there is no indication she had the requisite male naughty bits or she would have "been assigned" male at birth.
Meanwhile in the world of science, California wants to ban biology class dissections, because taking apart dead things to learn about living things is cruel, or something. However in a moment of brilliance that could only come from a politician the bill excludes "histological samples of any species.”
That one cannot get histological slides without dissection at some point appears a point lost to the rocket surgeons of the California legislature.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 02, 2019 at 12:45
Apparently, the 'Slippery Slope' doesn't exist:
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada ordered that a 14-year-old girl receive testosterone injections without parental consent. The court also declared that if either of her parents referred to her using female pronouns or addressed her by her birth name, they would be considered guilty of family violence.
" It's just about our right to exist, bigot".
Posted by: Jonathan | March 02, 2019 at 12:51
... if either of her parents referred to her using female pronouns or addressed her by her birth name, they would be considered guilty of family violence.
That is not a slope, that is a cliff.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 02, 2019 at 13:03
When you wanted to swim with Whales, but someone Else turns up instead.
Posted by: Jonathan | March 02, 2019 at 13:34
MenWomen are better at sports than women.via Lisa
Posted by: Jonathan | March 02, 2019 at 15:45
Why tax collectors have been historically despised.
Posted by: Darleen | March 02, 2019 at 16:14
Why tax collectors have been historically despised.
Considered taking the wheelchair. Well, alrighty then, mighty big of them to leave that, meanwhile, the IRS is furiously taking notes.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 02, 2019 at 16:53
When you wanted to swim with Whales
Timothy Treadwell was unavailable for comment. Yet again.
Posted by: WTP | March 02, 2019 at 16:59
It's a slope (slap) . . . it's a cliff (slap) . . . slope (slap) . . . cliff and a slope . . . it's a slope, and it's a cliff . . .
https://twitter.com/briandavidearp/status/1100774565435920385
Posted by: Baceseras | March 02, 2019 at 17:41
Jane and her too-cool-for-chairs friends
Posted by: Judy | March 02, 2019 at 17:51
Farnsworth,
If you mean does she look like a Kleinfelter's syndrome case after her surgery, yes, but if you meant she was a case prior, no, as there is no indication she had the requisite male naughty bits or she would have "been assigned" male at birth.
Ah, right you are. I lost track in the pronoun salad of which sex she really was and somehow took her as a male. My mistake, thanks for catching it.
Posted by: Hopp Singg | March 02, 2019 at 20:38
My mistake, thanks for catching it.
No worries, as you said, the word salad does make it a conundrum at times...
Meanwhile, there is never a meteor around when you need one.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | March 02, 2019 at 22:08
https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/05/woman-plans-marry-tetris-breakdown-relationship-calculator-called-pierre-7206091/
I can never decide if these folks are actually crazy or are just having fun with gullible girl
reporters. I hope it’s the latter.
Posted by: Pogonip | March 02, 2019 at 22:28
I can never decide if these folks are actually crazy...
Based on her Twitter and blog, she's not crazy, but she's a nerd with nerd affectations that she's escalated in a (successful) bid for attention. Part of "nerd culture" is to be "obsessed" with things that nobody else thought it was appropriate to be obsessed about. This feeds into the nerd's self-image as a quirky underdog surrounded, like Harry Potter among the Muggles, by people who don't appreciate his or her brilliance and future greatness.
Posted by: Juan | March 03, 2019 at 00:06
Kitty saved once again.
Posted by: TimT | March 03, 2019 at 04:55
Sonny Wayze: 'skeet surfing'.
A fortnight ago the RedLetterMedia did a review of the movie that introduced us to Skeet Surfing: "Top Secret - re:View" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVC5n6hYTFY
As they said most of the jokes are still funny and didn't date as badly as you'd expect - but maybe it's because it itself is a parody of two different eras mixed together.
Posted by: Watchman | March 03, 2019 at 11:11
Kitty saved once again.
Source? There is no signature or other identification in the cartoon.
Posted by: pst314 | March 03, 2019 at 14:41
Part of "nerd culture" is to be "obsessed" with things that nobody else thought it was appropriate to be obsessed about. This feeds into the nerd's self-image as a quirky underdog surrounded, like Harry Potter among the Muggles, by people who don't appreciate his or her brilliance and future greatness.
Quirky yes, but I wonder how often ability (or lack of) plays a role: How many nerds get into Bat’leth fighting because they are not any good at normal sports? How many get into the Klingon language because it's much simpler than any real language? There is obviously lots more going on than that (I have seen some very skillful broadsword fighters, fast and dexterous, who presumably could have done well in other sports.)
Posted by: pst314 | March 03, 2019 at 14:59
Source?
I'm not sure, I'm sorry. It appeared on my Facebook and I liked it. Perhaps one of the other astute readers here...
Posted by: TimT | March 03, 2019 at 20:47
Baguette a clue?
Posted by: Baceseras | March 03, 2019 at 20:50
Source?
It’s from here, I think. The artist is Pascal Jousselin.
Posted by: David | March 03, 2019 at 21:05
I'm not sure, I'm sorry.
I have that problem a lot.
Baguette a clue?
Not in 2019 America. Maybe if it were still 1969.
It’s from here, I think.
Thank you. Looks like a lot of fun.
Posted by: pst314 | March 04, 2019 at 00:33
Great find, David! I was wondering why he was carrying one of those French baguettes around...
Posted by: TimT | March 04, 2019 at 03:31
In the light of David Lammy’s ham-fisted attempt to white-shame Stacey Dooley, this is a glorious piss-take from some years ago.
Radi-Aid -Africa for Norway
https://youtu.be/oJLqyuxm96k
https://youtu.be/pkOUCvzqb9o
https://youtu.be/xbqA6o8_WC0
Posted by: Dr Cromarty | March 04, 2019 at 18:53