Who wants to go to Liberty Science Center?

I was just thinking about it now.  I haven't been since it's been revamped, but I want to see it.  Tickets are like 16 bucks but I would like to go before/just when the summer starts.

Hit me up if you want to set up a day.

LSC

a post

here is a post . . .

listen to any of the hour long audio -

interesting food for thought



AIDS conspiracy... a starting point for exploring this blog

Ivan lays it down

This is from the book I'm reading now, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It is a conversation between the pious and idealistic Alyosha and his older, rational, and desperate brother Ivan. It's great- it's got the question of God and Euclidean geometry in it ftw.

"Well, tell me where to begin, give your orders. The existence
of God, eh?"
"Begin where you like. You declared yesterday at father's that
there was no God." Alyosha looked searchingly at his brother.
"I said that yesterday at dinner on purpose to tease you and I saw
your eyes glow. But now I've no objection to discussing with you,
and I say so very seriously. I want to be friends with you, Alyosha,
for I have no friends and want to try it. Well, only fancy, perhaps
I too accept God," laughed Ivan; "that's a surprise for you, isn't
it?"
"Yes of course, if you are not joking now."
"Joking? I was told at the elder's yesterday that I was joking.
You know, dear boy, there was an old sinner in the eighteenth
century who declared that, if there were no God, he would have to be
invented. S'il n'existait pas Dieu, il faudrait l'inventer. And man
has actually invented God. And what's strange, what would be
marvellous, is not that God should really exist; the marvel is that
such an idea, the idea of the necessity of God, could enter the head
of such a savage, vicious beast as man. So holy it is, so touching, so
wise and so great a credit it does to man. As for me, I've long
resolved not to think whether man created God or God man. And I
won't go through all the axioms laid down by Russian boys on that
subject, all derived from European hypotheses; for what's a hypothesis
there is an axiom with the Russian boy, and not only with the boys but
with their teachers too, for our Russian professors are often just the
same boys themselves. And so I omit all the hypotheses. For what are
we aiming at now? I am trying to explain as quickly as possible my
essential nature, that is what manner of man I am, what I believe
in, and for what I hope, that's it, isn't it? And therefore I tell you
that I accept God simply. But you must note this: if God exists and if
He really did create the world, then, as we all know, He created it
according to the geometry of Euclid and the human mind with the
conception of only three dimensions in space. Yet there have been
and still are geometricians and philosophers, and even some of the
most distinguished, who doubt whether the whole universe, or to
speak more widely, the whole of being, was only created in Euclid's
geometry; they even dare to dream that two parallel lines, which
according to Euclid can never meet on earth, may meet somewhere in
infinity. I have come to the conclusion that, since I can't understand
even that, I can't expect to understand about God. I acknowledge
humbly that I have no faculty for settling such questions, I have a
Euclidian earthly mind, and how could I solve problems that are not of
this world? And I advise you never to think about it either, my dear
Alyosha, especially about God, whether He exists or not. All such
questions are utterly inappropriate for a mind created with an idea of
only three dimensions. And so I accept God and am glad to, and
what's more, I accept His wisdom, His purpose which are utterly beyond
our ken; I believe in the underlying order and the meaning of life;
I believe in the eternal harmony in which they say we shall one day be
blended. I believe in the Word to Which the universe is striving,
and Which Itself was 'with God,' and Which Itself is God and so on,
and so on, to infinity. There are all sorts of phrases for it. I
seem to be on the right path, don't I'? Yet would you believe it, in
the final result I don't accept this world of God's, and, although I
know it exists, I don't accept it at all. It's not that I don't accept
God, you must understand, it's the world created by Him I don't and
cannot accept. Let me make it plain. I believe like a child that
suffering will be healed and made up for, that all the humiliating
absurdity of human contradictions will vanish like a pitiful mirage,
like the despicable fabrication of the impotent and infinitely small
Euclidian mind of man, that in the world's finale, at the moment of
eternal harmony, something so precious will come to pass that it
will suffice for all hearts, for the comforting of all resentments,
for the atonement of all the crimes of humanity, of all the blood
they've shed; that it will make it not only possible to forgive but to
justify all that has happened with men- but thought all that may
come to pass, I don't accept it. I won't accept it. Even if parallel
lines do meet and I see it myself, I shall see it and say that they've
met, but still I won't accept it. That's what's at the root of me,
Alyosha; that's my creed. I am in earnest in what I say. I began our
talk as stupidly as I could on purpose, but I've led up to my
confession, for that's all you want. You didn't want to hear about
God, but only to know what the brother you love lives by. And so
I've told you."
Ivan concluded his long tirade with marked and unexpected feeling.
"And why did you begin 'as stupidly as you could'?" asked Alyosha,
looking dreamily at him.
"To begin with, for the sake of being Russian. Russian
conversations on such subjects are always carried on inconceivably
stupidly. And secondly, the stupider one is, the closer one is to
reality. The stupider one is, the clearer one is. Stupidity is brief
and artless, while intelligence wriggles and hides itself.
Intelligence is a knave, but stupidity is honest and straight forward.
I've led the conversation to my despair, and the more stupidly I
have presented it, the better for me."
"You will explain why you don't accept the world?" said Alyosha.
"To be sure I will, it's not a secret, that's what I've been
leading up to. Dear little brother, I don't want to corrupt you or
to turn you from your stronghold, perhaps I want to be healed by you."
Ivan smiled suddenly quite like a little gentle child. Alyosha had
never seen such a smile on his face before.

The Serial Comma

Perhaps you are interested in grammar. The serial comma occurs in lists of three or more words. We use it in situations like listing body parts: head, shoulders, knees, and toes. The last comma separating 'knees' and 'and' is called the serial comma. While there is no official ruling on its inclusion or exclusion, in most technical or formal usage it is included. To my sense, it ought to be excluded. Observe.

1. John, Paul, George, and Ringo had phenomenal luck.

2. John, Paul, George and Ringo had a phenomenal lunch.

Perfect Songs

Seriously what will it take to get you jerks to post?  I'm considering making this a drunk-post-only blog (I'm sure it is to some degree already, but we could make it official).  Instead of drunk-post-only, I'll try to generate some participation.

There are songs out there that I consider "Perfect Songs".  I don't know what criteria result in a perfect song, but I will do my best to illustrate with examples.  I encourage all you 225 folk to do the same either in individual posts or the comments for this post (just try to keep it consistent).

I will give my examples for what I consider to be "Perfect Songs" and rationale.  Hopefully from this I (perhaps with your help, faithful readers) can generate a definition or a list of criterion for a perfect song.  On with the show:

- "Here Come the Warm Jets" by Brian Eno

Eno does a lot with this album, but I think what he really captures with this song is the most basic enjoyment of rock and roll.  Every teenager with a guitar has found one riff that s/he can play over and over without stopping.  From this he adds: rythm guitar chugging in the background, drums that are introduced offbeat and softly yet crescendo into a banging beat, and vocals that perfectly sing what you want to hear with this sound, but they don't need to say anything in particular.  This is you rocking out in your bedroom at 15 realizing just what song your riff could eventually become.

- "Teenage Riot" by Sonic Youth

I can't think of any example where the guitar had been played the way it was in this song before.  Rock music was changed forever after this song.  I'm constantly amazed at how intricate yet simple the play between the two guitar parts sounds.  I don't know if I'll ever fully figure this song out, but it sounds fucking great.  Every. Single. Time.

- "Come in Alone" by My Bloody Valentine

The term "shoegaze" is kind of stupid, but it is applied to a kind of music that I find very enjoyable.  I really like layered, dense, heavily effected guitar sounds and this song delivers it in spades.  I feel that this song is the definition of the "shoegaze" sound and Belinda Butcher's beautiful vocals on top of Kevin Shields' awesome production of the album create a song that can only be described as beautiful.

- "In the Nervous Light of Sunday" by Circle Takes the Square

This song may not be the best song on either album it's featured on, but it holds so much promise that the band explored it on two separate albums.  Frankly, the production values on the self titled album pale in comparison to "As the Roots Undo" and this song was just good enough to warrant further exploration on the band's most recent album.  I feel that this track is a band trying to define itself and it just straight up works.  The CTTS sound is fully defined in "As the Roots Undo" (I mean the album overall) and this song just shows it in comparison to their previous work.  This is a very young band who everyone should look forward to.  They're amazing and though some may scoff as the "screamo" label, this band shows a serious thoughtfulness to their craft that any band should use in their approach to music.  Give them a chance because these guys are fucking meticulous.

- "Street Hassle" by Lou Reed

I will preface this with the following statement:  I love rock music appropriately orchestrated with string instruments.  Reed adds to this sweet organ sounds, his typical cool persona and guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen.  This song is basically an anthem to being an awesome dude and banging chicks in the typical cool Loud Reed style.  It's a pretty song, it works and it uses Reed's typical cool dude style.  On top of all this, it's the best song that I have personally heard from his solo career.  Please prove me wrong.

Please friends I beg you to add to this.  My reasoning is only that of one drunk music fan and I have grown weary of trying to come up with more examples.  I will add to this if you will.  Help me define what makes a perfect song and enlighten me (and others) as to what other perfect music is out there.

Bionic eye gives blind man sight

So check this out

So some coughryancough may think I'm a bit idealistic with my opinions on science, but this shit is ridiculous.

Let's seriously step back and consider this for a second.  My last post was about lasers on the battlefield.  Now we're talking about a man who has not seen anything for 30 years can now (albeit in a very limited fashion) see.  That's fucking ridiculous.

Hopefully with increased spending in science and research, plus the ability to somehow avoid a depression, we will continue to see more of this stuff.  While we've had the discussion that we haven't necessarily created any "new" technologies since the internet and we're still using the same tools we've had since the 80s and 90s, I think this is an example of how we haven't done all we can yet with the technologies we do have.  

If you disagree that's fine, but all I'm going to say to you is "HOLY FUCKING SHIT THIS GUY WAS BLIND AND NOW HE CAN SEE DUDE" and end the discussion there.

Also, I think it's kind of funny that this guy is seeing things for the first time in 30 years and his wife has him doing laundry.

What is happening?

O, degenerate Age! Our blogs fall so quickly to neglect. Rusted hammer, edgeless blade, tools in disrepair!

good morning blues

Mike Brown Came

to hoboken. (to steal a poetic device...)

When Mike Brown comes to Hoboken we all realize our error in coming to Stevens, the mortality of our time at this place, and that long distance relationships are depressingly hard.

We also remember how unique our experience at this shit hole is and how to drink compulsively and yell at each other.

So here is to the real prophet of the Stevens experience...

Mike Brown. Never just Mike, Always - Mike Brown.

solo acoustic guitar

is very nice.

I'm not entirely sure what to say about it. My fascination came when I lived in Scotland; the music was a peaceful retreat from the madness of freshman year revisited with accents and mountains. It's not actively listening, not the way many songwriters/composers/ambiencieers capture my mind with both the music and it's instant critical reflection. Much of it isn't even very interesting-- it's repetitive and cliche-- even if the chord sounds like crap, hold it out and pretend you meant exactly what you played and it takes on a life of its own.

But that's the beauty of it, too. Many solo acoustic guitar music (and, I'm sure, most any solo instrumentation-- I just like guitar) is an unending snapshot of the internal geography of the musician. John Fahey is a knee-jerk non-conformist, slicing out of familiar chord forms whenever possible or, if the song insists on uniformity, obscuring simple tones with a lacquer of amateurism. A dignified dilettante. Kind of a jerk.

James Blackshaw is an empty building investigator.
Leo Kottke hunts pheasant.
Jack Rose surrounds himself with tired Rock and Rollers.
Robbie Basho lives in a yurt in the age of Terrorism. Also, he has many beautiful, lost women.
Tony Rice earns everyone's respect daily.
Jim O'Rourke obsessively figures out things and has figured that out, as well.

When you play an acoustic guitar, you can slouch enough so you're staring right into the soundhole. Unlike a piano, which you sit at-- the piano is a place in itself. The guitar gets toted around, identifying things and used for biofeedback.

2009: The Future is Now

As Ben and I sit here watching an episode of Star Trek: TNG, I sit here thinking about how sweet sci-fi is.   It's a major reason why I enjoy science and engineering.  Though we are almost a decade into the 21st century and there are no flying cars, there have been many sci-fi-esque technologies that are a step towards what we have believed to be the future from novels, television and film.  

For proof, look no further than this headline:

US military develops anti-aircraft laser

We can now legitimately say things like

 "The experiment was the first time that a ground vehicle has used a laser to destroy moving aircraft and marks a watershed moment in the development of lasers for battlefield use."

So now that it's the future, now where's my robot butler?

Gaza, Part Deux

I'd like to write herein a follow-up to my post on the current war in Gaza.

In all the many reactions to this terrible situation, one seemingly obvious point seems to have drifted from the public's mind. Thus, I will ask the question here:

Does anybody out there remember that Hamas is an elected party? The voting populace of Gaza essentially elected into leadership of their government a party whose charter calls for the occupation of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state.

If this is the kind of organization you want in power, should it be any surprise when Israel invades your territory?

Although, "invades" is maybe not the best word. Let's go the textbook for a history lesson...

Beginning in 1957, a U.N. peacekeeping force was stationed on the Sinai Peninsula following the Suez Crisis. In 1967, Egypt expelled this force. Next, they massed tanks and troops in the region and refused passage to all ships flying the Israeli flag or carrying critical supplies. Israel, putting two and two together, makes a pre-emptive strike on the Egyptian airforce. Jordan, having signed a defensive pact with Egypt, attacks Israel.

Thus began the Six-Day War. By the end of it, Israel, simply because it was better at war had occupied Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, and several other territories.

So we have a group (Syria also fought, and troops were contributed by several Arab states) of aggressors who attack one country. They get their asses kicked, lose territory, and we're supposed to feel sympathy for them? To quote that great film Clue, "This is war, Peacock!"

So, fourty years of conflict later, Israel (not for the first time) allows Gaza to elect it's own government. And what's the first thing they do? Elect what many (including the United States government and the European Union) consider a terrorist organization. And again, we're supposed to feel sympathy when Israel gets tired of putting up with their rocket attacks and decides to do something about it?

Let me tell you, my dear reader, a useful bit I learned long ago:

If you keep shooting spitballs at the big kid in class, eventually he's gonna turn around and beat the crap out of you.


This has been your host, Nick Mindos. Have a great evening.

Bermuda vs. New Orleans

I went to Bermuda.

I do not suggest this island for spring break activities. Instead stick to countries of Latin American or Redneck basis. The beers will be cheaper and the women more plentiful. The culture will be less British (and I mean that as a bad thing).

The island, although picturesque in its attention to detail in architecture, landscaping, and civil order, was rather claustrophobic - a Manhattan of the Atlantic. The native population (I guess if you count the native population to be the slaves brought there initally) was at once resentful of and dependent on tourist activities - an evil contradiction. I got some scent of VooDoo and gree gree magic amiss - they have chickens running around wildly...WTF?

At any rate the vacation there was ok. A good chance to relax and see something different. Just dont ask me to stay.


I must say I had a much happier experience drinking and eating my way around the French Quarter and Garden District of New Orleans with my cousin prior to Christmas. He was fresh off a college graduation and looking to party. New Orleans is a good place for that!

Blogging from Abroad

I sit at the keyboard, tap-tap-tapping at the keys from the desk of one Kerrianne Flett. An empty tea mug rests next to me. Out the window, the bright green and red signal lights are the only sign of the Tay Rail Bridge, engineering landmark in its time, now shrouded in the cold Scottish darkness that descends on this town at half four each afternoon around this time of year. Across the canyon of blackness above which the signals gleam, the lights in the homes of Tayport flicker their Morse code message of coziness, warmth and interestingly boiled and fried foods.

Yes, I am blogging from that fabled city of jute, jam and journalism: Dundee.

What do I have to say, I wonder? Should I talk about the anti-American sentiment I felt at the ferry terminal in Belfast? Sounds too whiny, I decide. The debauchery of yesterday's "guys' night out"? Too self-congratulatory (though I will admit I was unable to finish the Eight Shot Challenge... "Too old", I told them). Perhaps the wonderful cooking made earlier by my gracious host, Annie? Still too full to start on that.

No, I think I'll talk foreign affairs.

As I write this post, Israeli ground forces are moving into Gaza. Does this come as a surprise to anyone? It shouldn't. What does an army usually do before moving in on the ground? Bomb the area it's about to enter. Israel has been bombing Gaza for about a week, and now they're rolling in with tanks. They're not the first nation to this. In fact, any nation that's ever come even close to conducting a war has done this. Those who are surprised at the developments of today are, in this bloggers view, rather naive.

Which brings us to the reasoning behind the situation. Let's say you lived in a country with your family. With me so far? Now, the authority in another region has the stated intent of wiping you and your kind off the map. They refuse to maintain law and order in their area of control, even going so far as to allow people under their control to attack the country in which you live.

Does this situation sound familiar? If not, maybe the reader should direct their attention to any article on 9/11 (or any of the other several similar terrorist attacks carried out by those under the protection of friendly governments) and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan.

This, then, is the situation in which the average Israeli living near Gaza finds themself in lately. Rocket attacks have been coming from Gaza into Israel for some time now. Are these rockets aimed exclusively at military targets? Do the rockets have a special setting which says "only kill military personnel"? I haven't actually seen the rockets, but I'm fairly certain they don't.

So now we have Hamas, the organization which heads the government of Gaza. As the legal authority in the region, it has, to use the least inflammatory language possible, been unable to stop these attacks. This should in turn warrant a response from Israel. A government which did not respond would be viewed as ineffectual by its people, and in the tradition of Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers, deserve to be removed from power.

So Israel responds by launching an invasion with the intend to remove from power a government which allows indiscriminate rocket attacks. And the response internationally is protests thousands of people strong, condemning Israel as murderers. Where were the protests when the rockets were being fired? Where were the protests when men and women with explosives strapped to them walked into Israeli markets and detonated themselves? The fact is people react to concentrated episodes, not widely distributed trends. Rock-stars like Annie Lennox, finding themselves with nothing particularly important to do, gather a bunch of similarly idle people together and get up on their soapboxes.

And so, here we are. A nation tries to defend itself from an aggressor which refuses peace, and the world protests. Nice job, everybody.

Busted, disgusted and not to be trusted,
-Nick