Comment In summary (Score 1) 268
Summary points:
- much of the "science" in Crichton-based movies is actually, at best, superficially plausable handwaving.
- statistics handling in movies in general is kinda painful, with crucial misuse of basic terms and principles.
- the movie of I. Robot is crrrrrap!
- if you really want scientifically plausible s.f. movies and television, then Firefly/Serentity is spot-on, both in technology and plotting that comes from actual adult concerns with ambiguous and untidy endings.
Journal Journal: Now I remember why I don't hang out here anymore. 12
So I've let myself get caught up in a couple of recent threads.
How depressing.
Go further down in the thread on Purdue and you'll find a few good comments but still.
Vendor AMD Announces Development of DTX Open Standard
Submission + - How can we convert the US to the metric system?
I personally deal with European scientists on a daily basis, and find our lack of common measurement to be extremely frustrating. Are we so entrenched with imperial units that we cannot get our fellow citizens to simply learn something new? What are those of us who wish to finally see America catch up to the rest of the world supposed to do? Are there any organizations that we may back, or any pro-metric legislators who we can support?"
Vendor Windows Vista and AMD to Send a Person to Space
Do You Tell a Job Candidate How Badly They Did? 702
Journal Journal: My sick house SLED Law.
Journal Journal: V for Vendetta: You mean people PAY to watch this? 6
Saw the latest Wachowski bros. tip a couple days back. Bleagh! Not good. Very not good. It was like a two hour beer ad. A not very original beer ad. No content, slick colors, by-the-numbers directing. A few flashy visual tricks. Several intrusive bits of special effects business. But the thing that got me most is how reliably they didn't even really believe their own shtick.
Journal Journal: So when will online formats match online production? 2
Journal Journal: VoIP Security, etc. 1
Just looked today at the package that Vonage is pushing through (gag) CompUSA. No signup (+$50, get back $50), pretty looking Uniden two line system, supposed discount on rates thoough it didn't sound that great to me.
Journal Journal: The U.S. Civil War: What A Deadly Bit Of Progress 11
Journal Journal: Guerrilla gardening 1
(Starting at about 1:30 in the morning for fewer witnesses.)
What does that mean? Well, this neighborhood in specific and New York in general has huge quantities of planters, big 'uns three or four feet to a side, that are, at best planted with some ill-cared for single species or in many cases, simply empty, with the occasional empty bottle, a few cigarrette butts, and the like.
Journal Journal: I am scared. Why is /. PINK?! 1
If I want girly I'll go somewhere like this.
A girly
-Rustin