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Whereas the wavefunction is usually interpreted statistically, and it reflects our inability to know the quantum particle's state prior to the act of measurement, a quite new paper interprets it, instead, without any respect to observation or measurement. This is the popular account and now to the more serious one…
In philosophy we usually make a distinction between two views: the view that something corresponds directly to reality, observation-independent: refers to what is there, what is "physically real", and independent of anything we say, believe, or know about the system.
In this case, quantum states represent knowledge about an underlying reality, real objects, real properties of quantum systems.
If we consider Schrodinger's cat gedankenexperiment, then from the above point of view, Schrödinger's cat in superposition of two states is a monster inside a box: both alive and dead cat at the same time. How come then when we open the box and observe (and measure) the both alive and dead cat at same time, we only see alive cat or dead cat? The orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics invokes the collapse of the wave function whereby the act of observing the cat causes it to turn into alive-cat or dead-cat state. If the quantum state is a real physical state, then collapse is a mysterious physical process, whose precise time of occurrence is not well-defined. Accordingly, people who hold this view are generally led to alternative interpretations that eliminate the collapse, such as Everett's relative state formulation of quantum mechanics, many-worlds theory.
The "state of knowledge" view, observation-dependent: refers to experimenter's knowledge or information about some aspect of reality; what we think, know, or believe what is reality. We presuppose tools of observation and measurement.
In this case, the quantum state does not represent knowledge about some underlying reality, but rather it only represents knowledge about the consequences of measurements that we might make on the system; states that undergo a discontinuous change in the light of measurement results; it does not imply the existence of any real physical process.
From this point of view (anti-realist or neo-Copenhagen point of view), collapse of the wavefunction need be no more mysterious than the instantaneous Bayesian updating of a probability distribution upon obtaining new information: Hence Schrodinger's cat is also not at all mysterious. When we consider superposition of states, both alive and dead cat at the same time, we mean that it has a fifty percent probability of being alive and a fifty percent probability of being dead (what is the likelihood of the cat being dead or alive). The process depends for its action on observations, measurements, and the knowledge of the observer. The collapse of the wave function corresponds to us observing and finding out whether the cat is dead or alive.
Erhard Scheibe introduced the notions of epistemic and ontic states of a system. The Ontic state of the system is the system just the way it is, it is empirically inaccessible. It refers to individual systems without any respect to their observation or measurement. On the other hand, the epistemic state of the system depends on observation and measurement; it refers to the knowledge that can be obtained about an ontic state.
As commonly understood, Bohr was advocating epistemic physics while Einstein was considering ontic physics. And indeed Jaynes wrote that the two physicists were not discussing the same physics: "needless to say, we consider all of Einstein's reasoning and conclusions correct on his level; but on the other hand we think that Bohr was equally correct on his level, in saying that the act of measurement might perturb the system being measured, placing a limitation on the information we can acquire and therefore on the predictions we are able to make. There is nothing that one could object to in this conjecture, although the burden of proof is on the person who makes it". Hence, the famous Bohr-Einstein debate was never actually resolved in favor of Bohr – although common thinking even among physicists and philosophers of science is that it was.
The million-dollar question is: What does a quantum state represent? What is the quantum state? Is the quantum wavefunction an ontic state or an epistemic state? Using the terminology of Harrigan and Spekkens, let us ask: is it possible to construct a ψ-ontic model? A ψ-ontic hidden variable model is a quantum state which is ontic, but we construct some underlying ontic hidden variable states theory. Hidden variable theories are always ontic states theories.
Or else, is it possible to construct a ψ-epistemic model? A ψ-epistemic hidden variable model is a quantum state which is epistemic, but there is some underlying ontic hidden state, so that quantum mechanics is the statistical theory of this ontic state.
In a paper entitled, "The Quantum State Cannot be Interpreted Statistically" by Matt Pusey, Jon Barrett and Terry Rudolph (henceforth known as PBR), PBR answer the above question in the negative, ruling out ψ-epistemic theories, and attempting to provide a ψ-ontic view of the quantum state.
PBR present a no-go theorem which is formulated for an ontic hidden variable theory: any model in which a quantum state represents mere information about an underlying physical state of the system must make predictions which contradict those of quantum theory.
In the terminology of Harrigan and Spekkens, the PBR theorem says that ψ-epistemic models cannot reproduce the predictions of quantum theory.
The PBR theorem holds only for Systems that are prepared independently, have independent physical states (independent preparations). A system has an ontic hidden state λ. A quantum state ψ describes an experimenter's information which corresponds to a distribution of ontic hidden states λ. PBR show that when distinct quantum states ψ correspond to disjoint probability distributions of ontic hidden variables (i.e., what PBR call independent preparations, they do not have values of ontic hidden variables in common), these quantum states ψ are ontic and they are not mere information. And if the states of a quantum system do not correspond to ontic disjoint probability distributions (the distributions of the values of ontic hidden values overlap), the quantum wavefunctions are said to be epistemic.
The PBR theorem is in the same spirit as Bell's no-go theorem, which states that no local theory can reproduce the predictions of quantum theory. Bell's theorem was formulated for ontic hidden variable theory as well. Bell's theorem shows that a ψ-epistemic hidden variable theory which is local is forbidden in quantum mechanics, i.e, any ψ-epistemic hidden variable theory must be non-local in order to reproduce the quantum statistics of entanglement (EPR).
PBR ended their paper by saying: "For these reasons and others, many will continue to view the quantum state as representing information [epistemic]. One approach is to take this to be information about possible measurement outcomes [epistemic], and not about the objective state of a system [ontic]"; i.e., one approach is not to take this as a ψ-epistemic model. Hence, why not follow a ψ-ontic model?
Einstein would finally not emerge victorious. Although the PBR theorem favors "Einstein" who believes that quantum physics is not ontic complete, it does not rule "Bohr" who believes in quantum physics that is epistemic complete (Wavefunctions are epistemic, but there is no underlying ontic hidden variable states theory). Indeed PBR are aware of this possibility.
It seems that the PBR theorem does not end the century-old debate about the ontology of quantum states. It does not prove, with mathematical certitude, that the ontic interpretation is right and the epistemic one is wrong.
Read my paper on the PBR theorem and Einstein.
Another no-go theorem, Kochen–Specker (KS) theorem: non-contextual (does not depend on the context of the measurement) deterministic hidden variable theories are incompatible with quantum mechanics.
Kochen, Simon B., and Ernst .P. Specker, "On the problem of hidden variables in quantum mechanics", Journal of Mathematics and Mechanics 17, 1967, pp. 59–87.


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Game Six: Godzilla Versus Mega-Damon
Fascinating subtext to Hideki Matsuis five-RBI night and Johnny Damons MVP-caliber performance over the first five games. They are in essence competing for the sane job on the 2010 Yankees. It is unlikely New York wants to trust either in leftfield next year, certainly not at these prices. But either would make – as Matsui already has proven – a top-of-the-line DH.
2 Comments
It's a tough choice, I am really happy with both but understand business is business. Why does Girardi keep entrusting the season to Joba? Please Marte please get Utley.
Keith, any chance you could relay this message to Hideki Matsui somehow? 🙂
Banzai Gojira! Matsui Hideki-san wa sugoi! Yankee no suupaa sutaa! (Nihongo yoku hanasemasen. Gomen na sai.) Omedetou!! ^_^
Roughly translated: Hooray Godzilla! Matsui Hideki-san was amazing, the Yankees' superstar. (I don't speak Japanese very well. I'm sorry.) Congratulations!
If this isn't possible, I understand. I just thought he might get a kick out of getting a congratulatory message in Japanese from an American. His performance was stellar tonight!
Kind of sad that Matsui and Damon have to compete for the same job now. I'm glad I'm not the one who would have to make that decision.


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Oy Vey, Oy Vey Oy Vey Jose
Jose Reyes' injury is a hamstring tear????
No confirmation on this elsewise but Mr. Burkhardt knows his stuff.
UPDATE 9:04 EDT: Now confirmed by a Mets' statement, via the Associated Press, with the timeline hazy: "(An) MRI revealed a small tear in his right hamstring tendon, a new injury. Reyes will rest for two days and then resume treatment."
9 Comments
My condolences.
That's a bad beat.
Keith, you should hear the Mets blog-o-sphere buzzing about the injury bug that has bit the team.
All I can think of after the shotty medical treatment of the last year is an episode of Three Stooges that featured the quote "Calling Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard" (which of course I found the video to show on my blog).
When it rains it pours in Mets Land! You were correct in calling JJ Putz's poor performances as injury related. Just heard that he has pain in his right shoulder and needs to be checked out. I dread to think what else could possibly happen. This summer is on the verge of being very long and depressing if this series with Pirates is any indication. Oy Vey Mr. Olbermann, Oy Vey in deed.
Ugh. Sucks.
Your exclamation of exasperation and confusion is totally worth the four question marks.
I've always wonder when I read a report like the statement from the Mets about how you define a "small tear" in a person's hamstring tendon or any other part of the body. It would seem to my like any tear in that area of the body would just be so bad that you would just call it a tear and that would be it. The size of the tear doesn't have much to do with it in the long run since it's still torn no matter how big the tear is.
Small, in management speak, is any tear that does'nt leave the player writhing on the field like a fish out of water.
What a tough break. I'm a Phillies fan, and will readily admit that Jeyes is not among my favorite players, but it seems that the timing of this injury is particularly devastating considering that the Phils pitching is starting to come around. I hope Reyes is back sooner than later because the Mets are a little more fun to hate with him in the lineup.
A month ago I was saying, "see ya next year" because I have been a Mets fan all my life and pessimism is our natural state. But even I did not expect it to get to this point, and Keith, it is depressing. The news about JJ has made "see ya next year" sound optimistic. Amazing misery.
hey there folks…
the mets are not my teams, or one of my teams, but my pops
firm had box seats…not to bad, fifteen rows or so above visitors
dugout…also, these were the firms cheap tickets…we didn't go to the yankee games…
so i have fond memories of going to the park and watching the mets…i love baseball so any game is "…greeaaat" as tony would say…
so i take more interest in their standings than most…what i am asking mets fans is i have and will i am sure at some point going to go to more of youse guy's games…here is the question…
what is the problem…do the mets have any
sort of self reference framework with which
to view their ball club? most call that self
denial…when will it end?…i will light a
with love and prayers,


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Jonah Hill turned in a solid performance in Moneyball, and now he's got another drama on the way, but he'll be in the lead this time around. Hill is set to star opposite James Franco in the adaptation of Michael Finkel's memoir True Story. Directed by Rupert Goold (who wrote and directed the upcoming TV movie adaptation of Richard II starring Patrick Stewart), the story recounts the head-spinning relationship between disgraced New York Times journalist Michael Finkel (Hill) and accused murdered Christian Longo (Franco).
Hit the jump for more.
Reading Deadline's recap of the story was a bit confusing, but the book's official synopsis does a great job of breaking down the plot:
In the haunting tradition of Joe McGinniss's Fatal Vision and Mikal Gilmore's Shot in the Heart, True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa weaves a spellbinding tale of murder, love, and deceit with a deeply personal inquiry into the slippery nature of truth.
The story begins in February of 2002, when a reporter in Oregon contacts New York Times Magazine writer Michael Finkel with a startling piece of news. A young, highly intelligent man named Christian Longo, on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list for killing his entire family, has recently been captured in Mexico, where he'd taken on a new identity—Michael Finkel of the New York Times.
The next day, on page A-3 of the Times, comes another bit of troubling news: a note, written by the paper's editors, explaining that Finkel has falsified parts of an investigative article and has been fired. This unlikely confluence sets the stage for a bizarre and intense relationship. After Longo's arrest, the only journalist the accused murderer will speak with is the real Michael Finkel. And as the months until Longo's trial tick away, the two men talk for dozens of hours on the telephone, meet in the jailhouse visiting room, and exchange nearly a thousand pages of handwritten letters.
With Longo insisting he can prove his innocence, Finkel strives to uncover what really happened to Longo's family, and his quest becomes less a reporting job than a psychological cat-and-mouse game—sometimes redemptively honest, other times slyly manipulative. Finkel's pursuit pays off only at the end, when Longo, after a lifetime of deception, finally says what he wouldn't even admit in court—the whole, true story. Or so it seems. [Amazon]
It sounds like an interesting yarn and a far cry from anything Hill has done before. The project will also be a sort-of reteaming with Brad Pitt since Pitt's producing company, Plan B, is handling the film.


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pull a trick (on someone)(redirected from pull a trick on her)
pull a trick (on someone)
To carry out a trick, deception, or practical joke (against someone). It turns out that the supposed alien visitors that people had been seeing were just a bunch of teenagers pulling a trick on the town. I've got a great plan to pull a trick on the school for April Fools' Day. The fake article had been in print in the renowned scientific journal for more than a week before its author revealed that he had pulled a trick when he decided to submit it.


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― Ben Williams, Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:06 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:23 (seventeen years ago) link
― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:35 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:44 (seventeen years ago) link
― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― Ben Williams, Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:50 (seventeen years ago) link
― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:52 (seventeen years ago) link
― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 16:56 (seventeen years ago) link
I mean, we can safely assume indie rock is not a pastry or an interesting new way to whittle. There for the definition of indie rock must exist, lest people think we're talking about pastries. However, if someone thinks ECM is indie-rock, there's logic to it. And if somebody is trying to say "Britney" is indie for some god-unknown reason, there might be logic to that too. But since no logic would define Millard Fillmore as "indie rock" we can assume the definition of Indie Rock would exclude Millard Fillmore.
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:07 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:08 (seventeen years ago) link
If there were no social categories, then everyone wouldn't all be individuals, rather we would all be the same, or at least unable to distinguish if we were individuals.
― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:14 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:16 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:17 (seventeen years ago) link
― Yancey (ystrickler), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:20 (seventeen years ago) link
they can't be punker than the punkest punk cz that's me
― mark s (mark s), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:22 (seventeen years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 19 November 2002 17:24 (seventeen years ago) link
I blame Dick Hebdige.
― Ben Williams, Thursday, 28 November 2002 13:52 (seventeen years ago) link
Movie critics don't make value judgments based on the audience's class/ethnicity/gender.
Yes they do - well, change "based on" to "taking into account," and they do. They may not be aware of it, though. Maybe they're not as thoughtful as music critics. (Should probably change that to "maybe they're even more thoughtless than music critics.") But smart movie critics like Otis Ferguson and Manny Farber and Andrew Sarris didn't ignore the relation between taste and social category.
― Frank Kogan (Frank Kogan), Thursday, 26 December 2002 05:22 (seventeen years ago) link
I don't dislike social category as an issue. I do think it tends to be deployed in somewhat kneejerk fashion in music criticism. To wit: what the "working class" like (or rather are presumed to like) is usually valorized as good, real and authentic (because it questions and/or unmasks society's status quo through some combination of primitivism and montage effects), and what the "middle class" like (or rather are presumed to like) is usually dismissed as bad, fake and inauthentic (because it upholds the status quo through some combination of "lightness" and holistic investment in "quality"). Often class is invoked as a guarantor of value in itself; the question of who exactly constitutes the classes in question is rarely examined, or indeed whether there are any other classes besides this convenient binary. I mentioned Dick Hebdige because he created what has proven to be a very durable paradigm along these lines, one that still holds conscious or unconscious sway over British music critics (but not at all among Americans) who did a bit of Cult Studs at some point in their lives...
I haven't read Otis Ferguson and Manny Farber. I do read Andrew Sarris in the Observer, and can't say I've ever noticed social category playing much of a role in his work. But I'm not familiar with anything like its entirety. I'm not so well versed in movie criticism in general, but I've read a fair bit and issues of class just don't seem to be nearly as prevalent--although it might be fair to say that the difference between taking class into account and basing judgements on it is exactly what I was thinking of...
I think there's actually a simple reason why music critics tend to be more concerned with social category than movie critics (if you'll allow me to maintain that for a moment longer), which is that music is used much more as a marker of personal identity than movies are. Kids (other than movie geeks) don't get into fights at school over tribal identification with Spielberg vs. Scorcese.
I just wish the treatment was bit more sophisticated sometimes...
― Ben Williams, Thursday, 26 December 2002 20:08 (seventeen years ago) link
The best Ferguson is the out-of-print Film Criticism of Otis Ferguson, rather than the in-print Otis Ferguson Reader. The classic (and only, as far as I know) Farber collection is Negative Space, also called Movies. My complaint - "wouldn't play what they couldn't justify" - is one that Ferguson and Farber would recognize very well.
― Frank Kogan (Frank Kogan), Thursday, 26 December 2002 22:09 (seventeen years ago) link
Tim, did you ever do this, ever make your map? Did you post it?
Well, in regards to social category and punk, here's a big one. Is punk the apocalypse or the idealists built to survive it? Iggy Pop or Jello Biafra? Johnny Rotten or Ian MacKaye? If the interview from Popped still stands, then Kogan would vote for the nihilists. But Joe Strummer said in SPIN that nobody's punker than Fugazi, so there's one strong vote for the other side. Since I personally prefer broad definitions, I tend to think of punk basically means someone ACTIVELY outside of the mainstream who takes pride in the middle finger and/or the electric guitar.
But Anthony, to be actively outside the mainstream is such a mainstream ideal. "Middle finger" and "electric guitar" are hardly relegated to the fringes. Johnny Rotten comes from the main stream of modern life more than Celine Dion does. Iggy declared himself the mainstream in his very first stanza. It's 1969, OK, all across the USA, another year for me and you, another year with nothing to do. So here we are. I speak for you whether you listen or not. In every single person is a Slim Shady lurkin'. He could be workin' at Burger King, spittin' on your onion rings, or outside in the parking lot, circling, screaming "I don't give a fuck," with his windows down and his system up. So will the real Shady please stand up and put one of those fingers on each hand up and be proud to be out of your mind and out of control, and one more time, loud as you can, how does it go? But notice how you split up against yourself, how your inner Shady is spitting on your own onions, and anyway, I'm the real Slim Shady, and all you other Shadies are just imitating. I was Johnny Rotten before Johnny Rotten was. No one does Kogan like Kogan. So:
Is punk the apocalypse or the idealists built to survive it?
Both, both, both at once, each against the other, each embracing the other. Punk is (among many other things) the conflict between the apocalypse and the survivors. And this conflict can be within a person as well as between people. This is what Tracer is getting at, I think. Iggy and Johnny are idealists, not nihilists. The distinction you should be going for is between two different ways of using ideals: (1) To hold the ideal up against a world in order to keep prodding that world, tearing at it; the ideal is a Memphis that you can never get to, a Johanna that you can never have, but you use 'em to prod and pummel poor Mobile and Louise, because you like to pummel and tear, even or especially if you yourself are the one being torn; turn around bitch, I've got a use for you. Come and be my enemy, so I can love you too. Besides, you've got nothing better to do, and I'm bored. (2) As a practical guide for creating and correcting an ongoing structure (such as ILx) in which interesting people can pummel and tear and bond with each other.
(I developed the concept Superword to explain Dylan's "Memphis Blues Again" and "Visions of Johanna," took it from there to genre.) (Movie double bill: From Here to Eternity and From There to Genre.)
(The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and A Farewell to Arms.)
See, I would say you need a DAMN wide net to harness a superword, but if it literally meant ANYTHING, than why would you say it at all?
Anthony, you're running off the rails here, and also changing the subject, since no one said that it could mean anything. You don't need a harness and net to constrain a dolphin from flying to the moon.
punk rock /= punk
Don't know if you mean (1) that "punk rock" and "punk" are different concepts ("Yum, that chocolate eclair à la dead squirrel is so punk rock." "No, it's merely punk") or (2) that punk rock isn't very punk, or isn't punk enough, or isn't as punk as some other things. Would you elaborate?
Please remember I think that a definition of a superword must be extremely broad. I mean, we can safely assume indie rock is not a pastry or an interesting new way to whittle. Therefore the definition of indie rock must exist, lest people think we're talking about pastries.
They won't no matter what, since they know that pastries are punk rock, not indie. And "definition" isn't the word you're looking for. "Meaning," perhaps? But you're wrong no matter what word you use (see floundering W's below). But even if you were right, I don't see that you're addressing the topic at hand. For instance, if I differentiate myself by saying "Michael Jackson is punk but the Gang of Four aren't," it's simply beside the point for you to say, "But very broadly speaking, you and the Gang of Four fan mean enough of the same thing by 'punk' to prevent either of you from mistaking it for tuna fish." I'm sure that I and the Gang of Four fan have lots in common - otherwise, I wouldn't be trying to distinguish myself from him! - but what's at issue is where he and I disagree. And I'm arguing that if we didn't disagree on how to apply "punk rock," the term would be much less useful.
(Those teacher's pets in Gang of Four ask, "Is this so private, our struggle in the bedroom?" I don't know, is it? Listen to "Billie Jean" and "Dirty Diana" and find out. Or "Under My Thumb" and "Back Street Girl.")
wittgensteinisms flounder like lenored blouses in a warm breeze.
I'll stop imitating. Here's the real Slim Wittgy:
Imagine someone's saying: "All tools serve to modify something. Thus the hammer modifies the position of the nail, the saw the shape of the board, and so on." - And what is modified by the rule, the glue-pot, the nails? - "Our knowledge of a thing's length, the temperature of the glue, and the solidity of the box." - Would anything be gained by this assimilation of expressions?
Consider for example the proceedings we call "games." I mean board-games, card-games, ball-games, Olympic games, and so on. What is common to them all? - Don't say: "There must be something common, or they would not be called 'games'" - but look and see whether there is anything common to all. - For if you look at them you will not see something that is common to all, but similarities, relationships, and a whole series of them at that. To repeat: don't think, but look! - Look for example at board-games, with their multifarious relationships. Now pass to card-games; here you find many correspondences to the first group, but many common features drop out, and others appear. When we pass next to ball-games, much that is common is retained, but much is lost. - Are they all "amusing"? Compare chess with noughts and crosses. Or is there always winning and losing, or competition between players? Think of patience. In ball games there is winning and losing; but when a child throws his ball at the wall and catches it again, this feature has disappeared. Look at the parts played by skill and luck; and at the difference between skill in chess and skill in tennis. Think now of games like ring-a-ring-a-roses; here is the element of amusement, but how many other characteristic features have disappeared! And we can go through the many, many other groups of games in the same way; can see how similarities crop up and disappear.
And the result of this examination is: we see a complicated network of similarities overlapping and criss-crossing: sometimes overall similarities, sometimes similarities of detail.
But if someone wished to say: "There is something common to all these constructions - namely the disjunction of their common properties" - I should reply: Now you are only playing with words. One might as well say: "Something runs through the whole thread - namely the continuous overlapping of those fibres."
For how is the concept of a game bounded? What still counts as a game and what no longer does? Can you give the boundary? No. You can draw one; for none so far has been drawn. (But that never troubled you before when you used the word "game.")
"But then the use of the word is unregulated, the 'game' we play with it is unregulated." - It is not everywhere circumscribed by rules; but no more are there any rules for how high one throws the ball in tennis, or how hard; yet tennis is a game for all that and has rules too.
I've quoted all these for Anthony's benefit, since they ought to take care of his concerns, unless he's pathologically addicted to the Problem Of Universals. But as Wittgenstein himself would have pointed out, the ideas I've just quoted don't have any consequences one way or the other for how you yourself might use the words "tool" and "game," don't argue for preserving standard usage or modifying it. And they don't speak at all to my point, which is that standard usage of a term like "punk rock" includes our disagreeing over its usage, and that such disagreements are a creative, constructive, normal, everyday use of language. They're not a flaw, not a problem to be stopped. Agreement doesn't have to be the goal. (Check the Sociology of Pop thread, where I make a similar point about value judgments in general, not just about Superwords.)
[More to come. Ha!]
― Frank Kogan (Frank Kogan), Saturday, 11 January 2003 03:14 (seventeen years ago) link
Have you encountered my relating of superword to supersounds theory cf. Reynolds on the "Amen" break in Energy Flash? I forgot where I posted it.
― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Saturday, 11 January 2003 04:15 (seventeen years ago) link
It's been so long since I read this thread that I can't really remember what's being argued though.
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 11 January 2003 17:32 (seventeen years ago) link
― Don Allred, Tuesday, 14 January 2003 02:12 (seventeen years ago) link
― Don Allred, Tuesday, 14 January 2003 02:21 (seventeen years ago) link
My response:
Protestant Ethic = through the grace of God, if you're one of the elect, your actions, including your leisure-time pursuits, will serve a useful social and moral purpose.
rebel boys on the streets = the electundermining the capitalist system = serving a useful social and moral purpose
By the way, I have nothing against art or Frank serving useful social and moral purposes. I just don't like the clampdown that comes into effect when "serving a social and moral purpose" is tied to a vision in which (1) the capitalist world is fundamentally corrupt and all-engulfing (= puritan conception that worldliness is fundamentally corrupt); (2) if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem, so if you're not actively undermining capitalism, you're reinforcing it; (3) since your actions should serve a useful social and moral purpose, and since your actions - every single one of them - either undermine or reinforce capitalism, you should endeavor to make all your actions undermine capitalism; so (4) these people wouldn't play what they couldn't justify, and they have to justify their playtime and that of the people they champion by saying it undermines capitalism. So if some gutter punks are getting fucked up and going wild, and this rocks, by golly it better undermine capitalism too.
However, in r'n'r, the Protestant Ethic isn't so much the committed leftist's attempt to undermine capitalism as it is the hipster-freak-punk's attempt to maintain his vision of himself as outside of the mainstream; the ethic in full effect tells him that any action moves you either towards or away from the mainstream. Of course, not all punks buy into this (as a matter of fact, before punk became a movement, one thing that distinguished proto-punk-types from the freaks was that the punks didn't buy into the counterculture's vision of itself as a counterculture; but that was back in the days when punk = intelligent), just as not all leftists buy into the idea of capitalism as an all-engulfing system, or the idea that if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.
The r'n'r Prot Ethic has interesting permutations: e.g. a full-time sex-drugs-and-r'n'r funster is still a puritan (undermining the prot ethic = serving a useful social and moral purpose); if he's attempting to purify rock'n'roll, cure it of its social pretensions and make it full fun like in the nonexistent good old days, he's still only playing what he can justify, even if he's flip-flopped the terms so that full-time morality = seven-day weekend.
A little bit of Prot Ethic is better than none, I think; it can be useful for pushing words into Superwords. If to be a freak or a punk you have to be outside of society, then "freak" and "punk" will always keep slipping from your grasp, will dart on ahead while you try to chase them. Any and every freak/punk will potentially fall short, will always be playing catch-up.
― Frank Kogan (Frank Kogan), Monday, 10 February 2003 17:20 (seventeen years ago) link
― mark s (mark s), Monday, 10 February 2003 17:29 (seventeen years ago) link
― Luc S., Monday, 10 February 2003 19:33 (seventeen years ago) link
― Cozen (Cozen), Monday, 10 February 2003 21:56 (seventeen years ago) link
― Don Allred, Tuesday, 11 February 2003 03:26 (seventeen years ago) link
― Frank Kogan (Frank Kogan), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 16:24 (fourteen years ago) link
― Cee Bee (Cee Bee), Tuesday, 9 May 2006 16:45 (fourteen years ago) link
this thread is the best
― caulk the wagon and float it, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 19:43 (seven years ago) link
i desire an anthology of the ancient posts with as wonderful a thoughtful content : jokes/trolls/insults ratio as this one
― caulk the wagon and float it, Wednesday, 22 May 2013 19:44 (seven years ago) link


text:
Alright, click battle, blow up some tanks, here's what you get:
Terrible player:
Fired some shots, did damage with only one of those, then
Got more XP than the terrible player, and that for doing exactly nothing. Also, unlike the AMX 50B, he does not have to pay nearly 30k for repairs + ammo (if it was gold ammo, even funnier), so he would have earned more credits as well, although that is not shown.
Broken reward system is broken, or maybe WG loves bots a little bit too much.
PS: zmeul posted another good example later in the thread: http://forum.worldof...60#entry2763172
Edited by Snib, 14 September 2012 - 07:00 PM.


text:
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The Eastern Pike Regional Police Commission discussed the looming budget crises at its meeting Monday, although police funding is in the hands of Westfall and Matamoras.
The Eastern Pike Regional Police Commission discussed the looming budget crises at its meeting Monday, although police funding is in the hands of Westfall and Matamoras.
The municipalities have both turned down the requested 2013 contributions to the police department's proposed budget. The total police budget in 2012 was $812,060, and the proposed police budget for 2013 is $838,626.
The department was formed in 2008 through the consolidation of the former Westfall and Matamoras police departments and is funded partially through grants, fines and contracting services. The rest is split between Westfall Township and Matamoras borough through a formula. Westfall pays 53 percent of the split, $385,655 in 2012; and Matamoras contributes 47 percent, $341,996 in 2012.
Matamoras agreed to pay the 2012 amount and Westfall proposes cutting its contribution by $20,000.
"If budget is not approved by both municipalities, it goes back to last year's budget and each would be obligated to pay last year's amount," police commission solicitor Tom Mincer said, according to a contract between the municipalities.
The proposed 2013 budget bump is due to increased health insurance and fuel costs plus a 3 percent raise owed to patrol officers under their contract, Chief Chad Stewart said.
Without the increase, the department may not be able to hire a replacement patrol officer to make up for one who recently left the local force and now works for the state police.
Officers at the commission meeting said staffing is already so thin that they cannot call in sick because it would leave police without coverage and that any cutting of patrol puts officer's lives in jeopardy.
So far, there has been no talk of cutting officers, but of trimming coverage hours.
"There may be a time when we won't be able to have 24/7 shifts in both districts," Mincer said.
The commission and department must wait to see what happens when the two municipalities meet to discuss the police budget at a public meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Matamoras Borough Hall.


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Ron and Anita Andrews, and Mike and Luann Mart of Estherville, would like to announce the engagement of their children, Jessica Andrews and Greg Mart.
Greg is a 2002 graduate of Terril High School and is currently self-employed in corn and soybean production.
Jessica is a 2005 graduate of Estherville Lincoln Central High School, and a 2013 graduate of Buena Vista University with a bachelor's degree in psychology as well as an associate's degree in recreation and wellness management. She is currently employed as the assistant living manager and marketing coordinator of the Ruthven Community Center of Ruthven.
Article Photos
Jessica and Greg
The couple will wed on Jan. 4, 2014, on Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla. The reception will be in Milford on Feb. 8, 2014, at the Milford Community Center.


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It's that time of year again. As the leaves begin to change color and temperatures start to dip, there is another aspect of the autumn season that is on many people's minds—the flu. For those of us with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, flu symptoms may be all too familiar and are often a part of our everyday lives. But an acute bout of Influenza can easily leave a CFS sufferer totally debilitated for weeks or months. So what can we do? Is a flu vaccination a good idea, or does it put CFS patients even more at risk for a relapse? Opinions vary widely among both doctors and patients; in order to make the best decision for yourself, it's important to evaluate the available information and discuss it with your own treatment provider. Following are some things for you to consider.
What is Influenza?
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a virus that is highly contagious. The onset of symptoms is usually sudden and can include a fever of 100-104 degrees Fahrenheit, muscle aches, sore throat, a dry cough, headache, and extreme fatigue. Healthy people tend to recover within about 3-7 days, but for those with compromised health the effects can last much longer. The flu is the 5th leading cause of death among the elderly in the U.S., taking as many as 70,000 lives each year.
What is the Flu Vaccine?
Each year's flu vaccine contains three strains selected by the U.S. Public Health Service which are believed to be most likely to spread in the upcoming flu season. The vaccine is made up of purified viruses grown in egg cultures which have been made inactive and noninfectious. Injection of the vaccine, usually in the upper-arm, stimulates an immune reaction.
Although flu season typically runs from November through April, flu shots are ideally given between late September and mid-November. It takes about two weeks after receiving the shot for the vaccine to become effective. To be protected, you must be immunized every year.
According to the CDC, there are very few side effects of vaccination. Most common is soreness in the arm around the injection site; a few people report other mild side effects, such as low-grade fever or body aches, for a day or two following vaccination.
It is estimated that flu shots are about 70% effective in preventing the flu. Even for those who are vaccinated and do get the flu, the vaccine is said to reduce the severity of the infection.
Who Needs a Flu Shot?
Each year the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the influenza vaccine for people who are at high risk of developing serious complications as a result of an influenza infection. These high-risk groups include:
People aged 65 years and older
People with diabetes
People with other underlying chronic conditions (i.e., renal dysfunction, pulmonary, or cardiovascular disorders)
Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season
Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
Flu shots are also recommended for students living in dorms or other close quarters, international travelers visiting the tropics, those in daily contact with children such as teachers and day-care providers, and those with suppressed immune systems.
Since eggs are used in the production of the vaccine, the flu shot should not be taken by anyone with severe egg allergies.
Subscribe to the World's Most Popular Newsletter (it's free!)
Should People with CFS Get Flu Shots?
There is no conclusive evidence about the effect of the flu vaccine on people with CFS (PWCs). Many CFIDS specialists remain unsure about how to advise their patients. There are a number of issues involved which are likely to vary greatly among individuals. While the flu can be particularly debilitating for someone who is already severely depleted by chronic illness, many PWCs maintain that they have experienced relapses and symptom flares following a flu shot. As a result, many doctors are wary about recommending flu shots to certain patients, if the risks seem to outweigh the benefits.
Dr. Charles Lapp, a well-known CFIDS clinician and researcher, says that in most patients with CFS, "their immune systems are so up-regulated, they are so turned on, that any virus that gets in the system usually gets gobbled up anyway." In addition, Dr. Lapp cited studies done at Duke University in which CFS patients didn't "convert" the vaccine; in other words, the immune system didn't respond to the shot and, therefore, the shot has no benefit.
Dr. Paul Cheney, another CFIDS specialist in North Carolina, agrees that for PWCs with up-regulated immune systems, the immunization may not be necessary. More importantly, he expresses concern about the effect of injecting an antigen into a "fired-up" immune system. Both Lapp and Cheney cite patients who seem to have relapsed as a result of a flu shot.
But Dr. Stanley Schwartz, an infectious disease specialist in Tulsa, points out that while there is a great deal of accumulated scientific medical knowledge about the potential complications of influenza, there has been no scientific study of the effects of influenza vaccine in patients with CFS. He has rarely seen post-vaccination flare-ups with CFS patients in his practice. He states, "In medicine, it's always better to base decisions on what is known rather than what is not known." His rule of thumb is to recommend that people with CFS get vaccinated if they fall into any of the groups at increased risk for complications of influenza, as specified by the CDC. For example, CFS patients who are over age 65 or who have diabetes should receive the vaccine.
Dr. Cheney also emphasizes the importance of weighing the risks and benefits of a flu shot on a case-by-case basis. He says, "There is no way to generalize across the entire range. If these patients are working or marginally sick, exposed to the general population, I tend to immunize…If they are extremely sick, [with] very active immune systems [and] are not going into the public arena much, I think I tend to not immunize because of the fear I'm just going to make them worse."
In deciding whether or not to get a flu shot this year, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. By considering your health history along with your own personal profile of risks and benefits, you are more likely to make the decision that's right for you.
Related Links
Influenza Fact Sheet
From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an overview of influenza statistics and flu shot information.
1999 Flu Vaccine
Information about influenza and this year's flu vaccine.
Dr. Cheney's Pros & Cons
Read his response to a question posed to him about flu shots during a lecture.
What do you think? Are you getting your flu shot this year? Take our poll, and/or share your comments in our discussion about flu shots on the Forum!


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Shop Announcement:
Hi and welcome to my shop!
In the progressing weeks you will find in my shop the following:- 4 x 6 wax art paintings, dolls house wax art paintings, ACEO wax art paintings, greeting cards, keyrings and pom pom animal collectables (these also come in a form of keyrings and magnets)....Please watch this space as I am always adding new items to my shop.
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Rose Painting 042.
This 4 and a half inches by 6 and a half inches art painting has been backed onto card. It will come in a clear polybag to protect it. This art painting can be framed. This art painting has been created using melted wax.
I love painting.
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I would expect that they would have been greeted with a recording of Vader standing over a bound Han Solo demanding the surrender of the Rebel Fleet, if it was the case that they'd already been captured. But what was being jammed was the sensors that said whether the shield was up or down. If the Imperials wanted the Rebels to surrender they wouldn't have bothered to jam that reading, they wouldn't have jammed. They would have demanded a surrender, or simply attacked.
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Update (Friday, 10.47am): C-SPAN 3 coverage went right through to 10.45am, until BBC1 and BBC Election 2010 online coverage ended.
Update (Friday, 8am): C-SPAN will resume coverage at 8.30am on C-SPAN 3. In the mean time, watch live here:
Update (Thursday, 8.21pm): C-SPAN moved the coverage over to C-SPAN 1 at 8pm.
The worry is over, at least for those with a good cable package: C-SPAN have just confirmed that they will be broadcasting the BBC Election Night Special on C-SPAN 3:
The British election is tomorrow, May 6th, and our coverage will include a simulcast of the BBC Election Results starting at 4:55pm ET on C‑SPAN3, comprehensive analysis of the returns from key constituencies, and interviews with leading politicians.It's good to see that they are beginning coverage at 4.55pm ET, exactly as the BBC coverage begins. I realize that some will be disappointed because they don't have access to C-SPAN 3 on their cable packages, though my guess would be that most people who have BBC America will also have C-SPAN 3, and that should be most of the British expats and Anglophiles over here. I must admit to being delighted that I will be able to watch the BBC Election coverage live on TV, really delighted.
Update (16.43): Jonathan has now blogged on this too, over at Anglotopia.net, Where to watch the British Election results in the USA on May 6, where he also provides a link to the live election news feed available on the BBC News Channel, which is not locked down to international users, BBC Election 2010, which may be a good source for those who do not have C-SPAN 3 on their cable packages.


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The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has just issued a new ruling on gluten-free labels for alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverages made with gluten-containing grains can't be labeled as gluten-free, no matter what kind of processing they undergo. That means that "gluten-free" can only show up on beers and whiskeys made entirely from sorghum, rice, teff, or other gluten-free grains (and which aren't then stored in barrels sealed with wheat paste, which is a real potential source of gluten in alcoholic beverages). The language on this point is surprisingly direct for a document mostly filled with legal jargon thicker than oatmeal stout.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued rules in August 2013 saying that foods could be labeled "gluten-free" if they were either made without ingredients that contain gluten or with "an ingredient that is derived from a gluten-containing grain and that has been processed to remove gluten (e.g., wheat starch), if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten in the food (i.e., 20 milligrams (mg) or more gluten per kilogram (kg) of food)." But this wording poses a problem for beer and grain-based distilled alcohols. What about whisky, made with gluten-containing grains that aren't pre-processed to remove gluten but distilled such that gluten never makes it to the bottle?
FDA rules say that "Allowing the 'gluten-free' label claim on food whose ingredients have been processed to remove gluten, but not on food that has been processed to remove gluten helps ensure that the finished product has the lowest amount of gluten that is reasonably possible, and consistent with the use of specific manufacturing practices that can prevent gluten cross-contact situations." And "food labeled gluten-free cannot be intentionally made with any amount of a gluten-containing grain (wheat, rye, barley, or their crossbred hybrids like triticale) or an ingredient derived from such grain that was not processed to remove gluten."
The new TTB rules extend from those FDA rules. Labels with statements along the lines of "processed to remove gluten" are okay if the producer runs the drink through lab testing demonstrating that it contains less than 20 ppm gluten IF they also say one of the following on the label:
"Product fermented from grains containing gluten and [processed or
treated or crafted] to remove gluten. The gluten content of this product
cannot be verified, and this product may contain gluten."
"This product was distilled from grains containing gluten, which
removed some or all of the gluten. The gluten content of this
product cannot be verified, and this product may contain gluten."
AND explain in detail the process used to remove the gluten. Yeah, right.
The fundamental problem is that the FDA and the TTB don't think that we have adequately proven detection tools for gluten in alcoholic beverages, and they have a point. There's surprisingly little published research on detecting gluten in alcoholic beverages. A few studies demonstrate that we can detect gluten in conventional beer and in wines clarified with gluten (see Simonato et al. or Catteneo et al.), but I can't find any published studies looking for gluten in distilled alcoholic beverages. This looks like a major gap in the literature.
That said, this labelling issue represents in some ways a much bigger problem that the FDA — and the American food regulatory apparatus in general — has with fermented foods of all kinds. We have excellent methods for detecting gluten in food and beverages generally. The FDA is perfectly fine with those methods applied to crackers, or soup, or anything other than "fermented and hydrolyzed foods." But "fermented and hydrolyzed foods" are different, for some mysteriously unexplained reason.
The US government just doesn't know what to do with ferments. FDA regulations about refrigeration and hygiene make restaurant foods deliberately left out to grow (beneficial) microbes illegal: house-made lacto-fermented sauerkraut or pickled beets or traditionally-prepared crème fraîche need to be quietly hidden under the table when the health inspector comes 'round. And when implementation of the new Food Safety Modernization Act — which requires that all food preparation facilities be inspected by FDA agents — made its way to wineries last year, inspectors accustomed to touring dairy plants told winemakers that cellar staff should wear hair nets, that crushing outside wasn't okay because birds could poop onto the grapes, and that dogs weren't allowed in wineries.
The antibiotic, antibacterial mainstream assumes that bugs are bad, and the government regulations aren't smart enough to differentiate spoiled = bad from fermented = good. Fermentation culture patriarch Sandor Katz gave a lovely talk at MAD last year that touched on these issues. And thanks in no small part to people like Katz (really, thanks in no small part to Katz; the guy is a fermentation powerhouse, an icon for the movement, and one of my veritable heroes), foodie activists are fighting in small, quiet ways against the bacteria-are-bad mainstream and building a strong counter-culture capable of recognizing that refrigeration is one of many good and useful ways of dealing with food. One of many, also including pickling by lactic fermentation, salting, drying, alcoholic fermentation, distilling, smoking, canning, and I'm probably missing something.
Our food regulation issues go beyond bartenders wearing gloves to mix Sazeracs. Food safety is good; I'm delighted to know that the flour I buy hasn't been bulked up with talc. But as a culture, we need to reevaluate what defines "safe." We need to find our cultural memories of foods that, as Katz says, inhabit that "creative space between fresh food and rotten food where most of human culture's most prized delicacies and culinary achievements exist." And the FDA and TTB need to catch up.


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Musings about Leadership, Decision Making, and Competitive Strategy
Friday, April 08, 2011
Using Retired Experts as Devil's Advocates
1 comment:
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LOL! Is he posing as Captain Nudie?
Oh my goodness! That is hilarious!
Angie - what a funny picture! All he needs a Cowboy Hat and he would be the true Naked Cowboy (the one in NY wears underwear)!
Sooo cute!!!!
oh my goodness! that is so cute and hilarious!
Brilliant! Save it for when you throw him an 18th birthday party and have it blown up! I do this for Ned, I have great shots of him in boots and nothing else, my high heels!
So funny! At least he remembered to put his cowboy boots on:)
He's got his boots... what else does he need??? That is so great. Very funny and cute!
What a fun picture. This made me smile this morning. You have some pretty funny kids.
That's SO cute!! He's on a mission!!!!
Ha! That is so cute!
Ohhh! So cute--but that sheriff's badge has got to hurt a bit ;o)
I love it. Gotta love those days when they play dress-up or dress-down in this case.
Nice editing job there! He will apprecicate this in about 20 years...
I really think Masaru and the twins would get along like a house on fire.
I love the editing.
So stinking cute! Love the buns shot, and the start fits perfectly!
Hey - I'm happy to see the kiddo has his priorities in order. I mean really - what is more important? lol Great picture!
Seriously how cute is that?!?!? :)
What a cute little ol' Razor-scootering Cowboy! I especially love the place he wears his star! BTW, Uncle Lynn is guesting today on my blog, so please drop in!
One tough cowboy!!!
Who needs pants anyway...
That is hilarious! How precious! :)
What an adorable hero! The boots are perfect with that outfit . . .
oh my god! love it, just love it! nothing like a good bum shot, and the boots make it really good!
Soooooo cute! Nothin' better in the world than a naked 2 year old butt...except when it includes cowboy boots!
Ohhh... So cute! I LOVE the cowboy boots :)
Emil loved being sans clothing in the backyard and I let him do it as long as I possibly could!
Adorable! Good thing he's not wearing spurs!
hehe... adorable!
That is precious!
love this... my little man loves to run around naked... priceless.. do not forget to pull this out when he goes on his first date and at his wedding...
Are those paparazzi at my house again!!??!! Oh wait, mine wears camo rain boots. Whew.
Aw, gosh, the little sheriff seems to know who's in charge! And who planted his star in such an "appropriate" place? Hey--thanks for visiting & come back soon--we've got lots more groovy info, questions, and, of course, the neat Asbury Park, NJ, prizes at the end of the week!
Oh, no you didn't! Cute little kid hiney and cowboy boots. sigh. You've made my day. ADORABLE.
Wouldn't all men like to do this?
Love the boots! Precious pic.
Is that where they wear their badges now!?
"hummm, I'm a bad bad guy, but I'm afraid of this sheriff. I'd better be away from him..."
So cute - I never get tired of seeing naked kid pictures!
Love the boots! :)
angie, your answered my quiz right. so I guess I owe you a topic to write. tell me what you want me to write about, but don't give me a hard one please :)
There's a new sheriff in town ... what a darlin' photo!
Okay, watch out for extra hits today?
I hope you scrapbook this one in a real book, eh?
Best. Outfit. Ever.
LOL!!!! Oh you have got to love little boys! Love this picture.
Love it..What a great shot. Glad to see my boys aren't the only ones outside in the nakey.
LMAO! The star on his ass just seals it! That is tooo funny!
Yep. That just made his wedding montage. LOL! SO cute!
That picture may be too cute for words!
Too cute. I cannot keep clothes on my daughter, she is naked 99.9% of the time. lol
♥ Too funny! :)
So he is kind of going in the opposite direction as spiderman and batman, with the whole disguise thing.... is he trying to divert attention from his face while fighting crime?
I LOVE a good naked baby butt!
This is such a cute pic.
i am a little late on the comment, and my gosh do you have a lot already so mine may get lost :) but, just wanted to say i love the picture...too funny! cowboy boots, a naked bottom and a scooter...what's not to love?!?
He needs a gun holster I think! Thanks goodness for strategically placed sherrif's badges :)!
So I have question for you: How on earth do you get through your whole blog roll? I have people I want to add so badly, but it already takes me about 2 hours to get through everyone I have. Maybe you have a system I should know about :)!
Too stinkin' cute for words!!
Ahhhhh this is so cute it hurts!
GREAT cute photo!!
ok, you ruined it with the star. baby bums are the cutest.
He is awesome!!
Bananas! 60 comments... geesh Well I am glad to be your 61st! Wink
you ARE TOO COOL for words snapping this shot. lil butts are the best especially with cowboy boots on!
Hilarious! At least he thought to put on his cowboy boots.
Perfect title! That is just too adorable.
Too funny and love that star!
Em said, "He's nekked!" How stinking funny! :)
HO. Leeeee. CRUD. That is so SO cute!!!
LMBO! so cute! it reminds me of my little brother when he was a little boy. He never took off those boots!


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Job Summary This position coordinates and facilitates patient billing and collection activities in one or more assigned areas of billing, payment posting, collections, payor claims research, and other accounts receivable work. Works as a member of a team to ensure reimbursement for services in a timely and accurate manner.
Essential Functions
Minimum Qualifications High school diploma/GED or equivalent working knowledge. Requires knowledge of patient financial services, financial, collecting services or insurance industry experience processes normally acquired over one or more years of work experience.Requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision and to work independently. Requires strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to effectively interact with a wide range of audiences. Strong knowledge in the use of common office software, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software are required. Preferred Qualifications Work experience with the Companys systems and processes is preferred. Previous cash collections experience is preferred. Additional related education and/or experience preferred.


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Washington State - In one of the longest snorkel surveys ever completed in North America, fisheries biologists recently swam the length of the Elwha River - from its headwaters to its mouth - with the goal of establishing a baseline of the river's fish population before dam removal begins.
The forty-two mile underwater trip began at an elevation of 2,250 feet, just above Chicago Camp in the upper Elwha Valley and ended at sea level where the river enters the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles.
Washington State - In one of the longest snorkel surveys ever completed in North America, fisheries biologists recently swam the length of the Elwha River - from its headwaters to its mouth - with the goal of establishing a baseline of the river's fish population before dam removal begins.
The forty-two mile underwater trip began at an elevation of 2,250 feet, just above Chicago Camp in the upper Elwha Valley and ended at sea level where the river enters the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Port Angeles.
Twenty-one biologists from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Peninsula College and the Wild Salmon Center participated in the snorkel survey. The study was primarily funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"We are very grateful to our many partners who provided staff, expertise and support for this landmark study," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Bill Laitner. "As we continue to move closer to removing the two Elwha River dams, it's vitally important that we have an understanding of the ecosystem as it is today."
"Establishing a baseline of fish populations before dam removal will help us better understand and measure the success of dam removal and restoration," Laitner continued.
Biologists found the greatest diversity of fish below the two dams, an expected result since the dams have blocked fish access since they were constructed in the early 1900s. Excellent fish habitat exists above the dams however, where the river is protected within Olympic National Park.
In the five river miles below the dams, divers observed Chinook, pink, and coho salmon, along with sculpin, bull trout, threespine sticklebacks, starry flounder, and freshwater mussels.
Above the dams, snorkelers encountered only rainbow trout and bull trout, species that have been physically isolated from their counterparts below the dams for over 90 years. Rainbow trout, bull trout and one non-native brook trout were found between the two dams.
In total, divers observed 7,300 rainbow trout, 215 bull trout, 539 adult Chinook salmon, and 26 pink salmon. The bull trout and Chinook salmon found in the Elwha River are both listed as threatened on the federal endangered species list.
"Perhaps the most riveting aspect of the headwaters to ocean survey was the reality that Pacific salmonids will be rewarded with exceptionally high quality spawning gravels in remote sections of Olympic National Park following dam removal" said Sam Brenkman, fisheries biologist at Olympic National Park.
The Elwha River was once one of the most productive salmon streams in the Pacific Northwest, home to all five species of Pacific salmon, as well as other fish species. The Elwha and Glines Canyon dams have blocked fish from all but the lowest five miles of the river since the early 1900s. Removal of the two dams will restore the Elwha to its natural, free-flowing state and will once again allow fish access to over 70 river miles of habitat now protected within Olympic National Park. Dam removal will begin after water quality protection facilities are complete.
* The snorkel survey was completed between August 20 and 24, 2007.
* Before the snorkel survey began, National Park Service personnel conducted aerial surveys to view three major canyons in the Elwha River, identify take-out points and highlight swift water area. Detailed topographic maps and aerial photos were used.
* The river was also checked from shore to ensure safety and identify hazardous sections.
* Participants were all fisheries scientists, ecologists, or fisheries technicians. There were a total of three PhDs, six Masters of Science, and six Bachelors of Science.
* Two snorkelers moved downstream together at the speed of the current, and recorded fish on a dive slate attached to their arm.
* Crews hiked up to 60 miles throughout the week in remote portions of the river valley.
* Lake Mills, Lake Aldwell, Rica Canyon and Grand Canyon were not surveyed.
* Riverflows during the week of the survey ranged from 425 to 525 cfs; water temperatures ranged from 11.5 to 14.0 C
* Divers were equipped with drysuits, masks, snorkels, underwater cameras, neoprene gloves, and dive slates where fish observations were recorded.
* Information from this survey will be used to study the process of salmon recolonization and will help guide future fish monitoring efforts by the federal agencies and Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.


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deserve credit for (someone or something)
deserve credit for (someone or something)
To warrant recognition for something that one has done. Howie is the one who deserves credit for how successful our presentation was—he stayed late every day this week to work on it.
deserve credit for something
[for someone] to be owed recognition for doing something. He certainly deserves credit for the work he did on the project.


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Red Deer Sarah Candlin Acorn Ecology
Red Deer Stag
Published by
Acorn Ecology Training
Acorn Ecology is one of the top providers of ecological consultancy courses in the UK. We provide ecology courses and field training for new graduates, career changers, experienced ecologists, developers, architects and conservationists wishing to work in consultancy. View all posts by Acorn Ecology Training


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Growing up, if my parents were to go to Red Lobster, it was a treat. As a child, though, I would say "yuck!" because I couldn't even stand the smell of seafood. To this day, I'm still not the biggest fan of seafood, but I'm finding that it's because I grew up in an area (Michigan) where seafood is not fresh and at it's best. I know this, because I married a seafood loving man from the east coast who knows everything. 😉
Well, this seafood loving man of mine does not like Red Lobster. I'd say he's a food snob, but really, he's not. He just doesn't like Red Lobster, which is fine with me, because I still don't prefer to eat seafood.
However… about a year ago I finally went to Red Lobster for lunch with some co-workers and they introduced me to the Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Holy cow! I could've eaten just those as my entire meal. They were incredibly tasty.
Well, I knew it would be my first and my last experience of enjoying those biscuits, unless I was able to sneak out to Red Lobster with my coworkers again. But, wait! Why can't I just make them myself? What a great idea! So, I searched the internet and found a fabulous copycat recipe, called Cheesy Garlic Biscuits.
The biscuits are so ridiculously close to the Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster. This recipe I found called for Oregano, but I'm pretty sure Red Lobster uses parsley flakes instead, so I substituted parsley and it worked out perfectly!
I didn't count, but I think it makes around 15 biscuits.
<Please click here for an updated post on this recipe.>


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Note: This is the 2016–2017 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
Jewish Studies : A directed reading project devoted to the modern critical scholarship on one Biblical work.
Terms: Fall 2016
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2016-2017 academic year.


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'Two Million Bikers' Moved to Tears From Support; Say 1.2 Million Participated This Year
The "Two Million Bikers to D.C." group that staged a massive rally in the nation's capital in honor of the victims of the Sept, 11, 2001 attacks has estimated that as many as 1.2 million bikers in total participated in the event, and announced they are planning a follow-up tribute next year as well.
"Yes, we ride again next year. Yes, we will keep this page going," the group said on its Facebook page. "Last reports we heard, riders were estimated at 1.2 million."
"So many personal stories, so many tears shed for this country and the tragedy on 9.11.01 some even rode with 9.11.12 in their hearts," they added.
"America is a land build with excellence in mind. Bikers are some of the most excellent Americans that there are. And salute every participant in that beautiful ride yesterday. Every. Single. One."
The bikers said that their demonstration was aimed at standing by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and have said that they are "against any fundamental transformation of America."
Although they were denied a permit by the National Park Service and did not manage to get some intersections near monuments and on Capitol Hill in D.C. closed on Wednesday, they still decided to hold the rally and show their support for the victims of the terrorist attacks.
"Just want all you American patriots to know, you have moved the admins on this page to tears so many times today," they added in another post.
The "Two Million Bikers to D.C." group asked supporters to direct their prayers to all the bikers to make their way back home safely, as some of them had ridden for more than a week to get to the rally.
"Realize that we did this to show you what can and should be done in greater and greater numbers. We must take this country back to the founding documents and fast," they vowed, and noted that the entire rally was put together with almost no press coverage.
One of the bike leaders from Oklahoma said that the rally was an "amazing experience."
"I have no idea how many bikes were there but the DC police estimate over 1 million. Bikes were staged 10 to 12 abreast bumper to bumper and the line was at least a mile long.
"So much love for America. Bikers were from all walks of life. White, Black, Brown, Red, Yellow. Every one a patriotic American. The streets were lined with non riders cheering us on and waving flags. Traffic stopped and people got out of their cars to join in the waving and cheering. Overpasses were full of fire departments. Cops stood by the side of the road at attention, saluting us," the bike leader wrote, though the FB page did not give their name.


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Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Israel Moving to 7 digit ZIP-codes
A ZIP-code in Hebrew is מיקוד mikud.
The switch to 7 digits is supposed to help improve postal service delivery.
You can find out what your new ZIP code will be using their ZIP-code converter page, here
(I actually remember the stamp on the right...but not the one below...)
Visiting Israel?
Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3 with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!
Follow the Muqata on Twitter.
Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד
12 comments:
- Esser Agaroth said...
If 5 digits is good enough for the U. S., then why isn't 5 digits good enough for the much small country of Israel?
- 6:30 PM, March 13, 2012
- IsraelP said...
Bureaucrats need to demonstrate that they have been doing things.
- 6:35 PM, March 13, 2012
- Jameel @ The Muqata said...
10 ag: The US is already basically using 5 + 4 digits....so in effect they are using 9.
Israel switch to 7 digits will use the existing zip codes and add 2 additional digits.
- 9:05 PM, March 13, 2012
Will they finally deliver to my door? Or do I still have to go to the PO to pick up my mail?
- 9:18 PM, March 13, 2012
I live in ramat bet shemesh, and every street is a different zip code. Maybe if they would consolidate, they wouldnt need 7.
Comparing Israel's 7 digit, to America's 9 is absurd. American is about 50-60 times the size of Israel.
- 11:30 PM, March 13, 2012
- Your Correspondent said...
My Israeli ID is already 8 digits plus the check digit. If they're going to 7 digits, why not just use 8 digits and everybody gets their own postal zone!
Or at least offer us the option of using the Israeli ID as a complete address...
- 7:15 AM, March 14, 2012
I think it's a great idea to have a more specific post code. In England each road has its own code which means you can give your entire address as 5 IG7 9QW. According to the PO website the entrance to my building (11a) gets its own code (!), but my grandmother's house shares its code with a couple of other houses. Both places are in Jerusalem. I wonder how they've chosen to assign codes?
- 8:33 AM, March 14, 2012
- Lurker said...
- 6:01 PM, March 14, 2012
Lurker: Thanks for the laughs
- 7:49 PM, March 14, 2012
The first three digits are the same and last four are new.
They should have an official spot for a dash instead of just one long seven digit number. xxx-xxxx
- 2:49 PM, March 15, 2012
Anon, I agree. I've started a write in campaign.
In fact, on the wikipedia page, it seems that all countries with a code longer than five digits either use a hyphen or a space.
The postal page says that this is for the 'new' computer sorting system that will be finally installed. The system has actually been sitting in 'nylons' for the past 2-3 years because the sorters union has been threatening to cause havoc is the boxes are opened (and they are all fired).
- 11:36 PM, March 24, 2012
- Miriam said...
Is this a make work plan?...the post office needs to revamped. Everything gets lost and mail is very slow. It took 9 days for a letter sent to me from Jerusalem to arrive in the Negev... Do the powers think adding 2 more numbers is really going to improve the mail? I highly doubt it.
- 8:37 PM, August 07, 2012


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Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 5:22 AM |
Early morning light illuminates a tableau of rusting industrial history. I'd been to this old ore processing plant a few times in the afternoon in the cooler months, and the light was harsh and glaring. Early on a warm spring morning, the light is superb. http://flic.kr/p/qM6L2Y
Posted by Unknown Labels: abandoned, decay, flickr, IFTTT, industrialruins, machinery, orecrusher, oreprocessingplant, rot, rust


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There was this GIANT bumblebee in my house yesterday. It was.... massive!
I was afraid to come within five feet of it, so I let the cats handle it and just
got out my zoom lens. They are backlit so not that great, but you get
the idea, Sterling eventually quit playing with it and killed it with a fang thru
the body. My brave boy
Shayla just liked to watch it buzz around
Oh, and this is my porch kitty Dusty in his planter that he staked out before
I could get any flowers in it. Now I can't decide whether I should plant in it or not
And Shelby, post nail trim, looking put upon
"This is boring!"
"What? Treat?"


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Will the real Mitt Romney please stand up?
Making his first comments since his widely panned presidential debate performance, President Barack Obama reveals to supporters in Sloan's Lake Park in Denver, Colorado that he had no idea who he was debating against Wednesday night, but it definitely wasn't Mitt Romney.
See the POTUS' comments below:
When I got on the stage, I met this very spirited fellow who claimed to be Mitt Romney.
But it couldn't have been Mitt Romney, because the real Mitt Romney has been running around the country for the last year promising $5 trillion in tax cuts that favor the wealthy. The fellow on stage last night said he didn't know anything about that.
The real Mitt Romney said we don't need any more teachers in our classrooms, but the fellow on stage last night, he loves teachers, can't get enough of them.
The Mitt Romney we all know invested in companies that were called pioneers of outsourcing jobs to other countries, but the guy on stage last night said he doesn't even know that there were such laws that encourage outsourcing. He's never heard of them!
Never heard of tax breaks for companies that shift jobs overseas? He said that if it's true he must need a new accountant.
Now, we know for sure it was not the real Mitt Romney because he seems to be doing just fine with his current accountant.
So, you see, the man on stage last night does not want to be held accountable for the real Mitt Romney's decisions and what he's been saying for the last year. And that's because he knows full well that we don't want what he's been selling for the last year.
So Governor Romney may dance around his positions, but if you want to be president you owe the American people the truth.
See President Obama's remarks below:
This fire and conviction is definitely what we needed to hear in Wednesday's debate. But it is completely understandable that the president was confused when a stranger pretending to be Mitt Romney showed up in his place.
Romney On 47 Percent Comment: "I Was Completely Wrong"


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These coordinating vacation-themed papers are also on sale for the month for 25% off!
Patriotic color swatch coordinates beautifully with my classic kit "America the Beautiful"--which is also on sale this month!
Enjoy this "From Sea to Shining Sea" Mini Kit with my compliments
Download HERE or click on preview


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With attention firmly fixed on Gordhan after President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation address on February 14, the minister finds the South African economy in perilous territory.
Still battling to recover from two successive credit rating downgrades following bloody industrial action in the mining sector – initial indications of which project a R2.5-billion burden on the economy – the rand also finds itself in a downward spiral against the US dollar.
The rand weakened to its lowest level against the dollar in almost four years in January after breaking the R9/$ mark – although it has now clawed back some of these losses and finished at R8.85 to the greenback at the close of trade on Friday.
South Africa is also experiencing the effects of a massive budget deficit, up to R69.9-billion in late 2012 from R8.7-billion in 2011 and a far cry from 2008 when the government last posted a surplus.
Along with this, the country is faced with its second highest budget deficit since 1994 – a massive 5.2% for the 2012/13 financial year – while overall government debt is fast approaching 40%.
Depressed trading demand
Adding to South Africa's economic woes is Europe – the country's second biggest trading partner – which caught in the grips of a recession, dictating a depressed demand for South African goods.
It is in this environment that Gordhan faces possibly the toughest challenge since being elected to handle the state's finances in 2009.
"The environment has not improved since the mini-budget in October and it's difficult to paint a bright picture about government revenue at the moment," Jeff Gable, senior economist at ABSA Capital said on Sunday. "The economy is not growing quickly and we're not creating jobs fast enough."
This line of thinking has led to forecasts of tax increases to shore up further revenue for government. Zuma's address also referred to Gordhan commissioning a "study of our current tax policies" to ensure an "appropriate revenue base to support public spending", lending credence to this prediction.
But this would be a short-term solution, according to Gable.
"Tax increases would make a lot of sense in the short term but we're looking at a long-term issue here – the economy needs to grow more," he added.
'Unsustainable reality'
This view was echoed by Mike Schussler of Economist.co.za, who said taxpayers are already far too stretched.
"We have an extremely narrow tax base that we are trying to do a hell of a lot with and we are not succeeding." Schussler added there was an "unsustainable reality", where too few taxpayers were already supplying for too many citizens exempt from tax through miniscule salaries or unemployment.
"South Africans can't continue paying taxes for the masses who are unemployed. Government needs to get those people working," he added.
"If there are no measures in this budget to address these problems, we will be scrambling to plug holes we simply can't fill through tax hikes."
There have also been suggestions Gordhan will move to implement a higher mining royalties regime, which is in line with the decision by the ANC at its Mangaung elective conference that government needed to extract more revenue from the sector.
'No new profits'
This move would be deeply controversial as the mining sector was recently rocked by shaft closures, threatened job cuts and declining profits.
"The government can talk about taxes in the mining sector as much as they want but the reality is there are no new profits to tax," said Peter Major, mining analyst at Cadiz.
"The second biggest joke behind nationalisation is mining taxation. Half of the mining industry is already on the bones of its arse and now you want to milk it some more? It's ludicrous."
Major also argued the only real option left to Gordhan would be to increase the budget deficit in the hopes that economic conditions would improve in the short term.
"In an economy that is struggling to grow, a mixture of revenue generation is needed instead of just pumping up taxes in any sector," he added.
"Everything works when all role players pull in the same direction. But when you don't issue firm signals of where your economy is going, you are doomed. We need that certainty now."


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May 26, 2012
My Favorite Thing(s) About Fraggle Rock, Part 1
Is it any wonder that I'm starting here? On this, probably my third or fourth viewing of the entire series, I came to the realization that there is not a single prominent character on Fraggle Rock that I do not adore. From the main characters like Wembley, Boober, and Junior Gorg to secondary characters like Cotterpin Doozer, Convincing John, and Large Marvin and even tertiary characters like Felix the Fearless, Architect Doozer, and Sidebottom--all of these joyous characters are flawlessly written, hysterical, touching, and undeniably enjoyable from the start to the finish of the series. Who doesn't love Gobo, Mokey, Red, Cantus, Pa Gorg, Marjory the Trash Heap, Philo, Gunge, or any of the characters here?
Arguably the best part about Fraggle Rock is watching these characters interact. Whether it's Philo and Gunge being hilariously obnoxious, Mokey being sweet and loving with grumpy Boober, Red running amok with Cotterpin Doozer, Junior driving Pa Gorg nuts, Traveling Matt's ineptitude causing Gobo trifles, or Wembley being hysterical with absolutely anyone, the interactions of characters is what makes Fraggle Rock such a treat. I dare you to watch the entirety of Season 1's "Marooned" and not be moved by the journey of Red and Boober, who go from total opposites to more than understanding one another, but relying on each other.
One can't discuss the characters of Fraggle Rock without mentioning Doc and Sprocket. Sprocket, the pantomime dog, and Doc, the charming and bumbling inventor, bookended every episode of the show and were not charged with carrying any of the emotional weight--at least not most of it. Yet the relationship between these two is so beautiful that it becomes something more than just man and dog. Sprocket is clearly Doc's closest companion--and who wouldn't want a dog like Sprocket as their best friend? His impression of Doc's neighbor Ned Shimmelfinny is enough to sell Sprocket... but of course there's a lot more to him. He's loyal, smart, stubborn, and wonderful. Doc--brilliantly played by Gerry Parks--is forgetful and oblivious and delightful to watch and the perfect partner for Sprocket. Talk about man's best friend... and dog's.
Another thing that I discovered on this run through the series is my love for Richard Hunt on Fraggle Rock. He performed Junior Gorg's voice and face, Gunge, and a whole host of random Fraggles and creatures, including the Wizard and the Mean Genie. Yes, I love Richard on The Muppet Show and on Sesame Street, but it wasn't until watching the series this time that I realized how fantastic he was on Fraggle Rock. The personality he brought to Junior Gorg is unparalleled and might just be his greatest character. I found myself looking forward to the Junior-centric episodes more than almost any other character (except maybe Wembley) because I knew I would laugh out loud multiple times. Junior's episodes are true classics: "The Garden Plot" in Season 1 where the Fraggles convince Junior he's dead; "Bored Stiff" in Season 3 where Gobo and Junior have to save the Fraggles; "Junior Faces the Music" in Season 4 where Cantus imparts wisdom to the Gorg; and, my personal favorite: "The Battle of Leaking Roof" in Season 3 where Pa and Junior try to fix the castle roof. But Junior's crowning achievement (pun definitely intended) is Season 4's "The Gorg Who Would Be King," which follows Junior into Fraggle Rock where he learns about the inter-connectivity of the world. I love Junior Gorg... and I love Richard Hunt. Fraggle Rock wouldn't be the same without him.
One can't mention Richard Hunt's Fraggle Rock contributions without mentioning Jim Henson's as well. Jim was not a regular on the series, leaving it to his trusted team to create magic--which they clearly did. But at least twice every season, Jim would come to play and bring to life two of his greatest characters: Cantus the Minstrel and Convincing John. Nearly everyone will talk about these great Jim characters... but I want to focus on one episode in particular: "The Secret Society of Poohbahs" from Season 3. Yes, Jim loved to balance the sentimental with the silly, but there's no denying that the silly almost always took over. Nowhere is this more true than in "The Secret Society of the Poohbahs." I won't spoil the episode if you haven't seen it, but it is perhaps my favorite Fraggle Rock episode and Jim Henson makes it so. Hearing Convincing John read off the Poohbah role call will forever be hysterical to me. Present with an exclamation!
Gobo's Uncle Traveling Matt (as Wembley loves to call him) is another one of the best things about Fraggle Rock. His postcards are such a delight in every episode that I'm surprised Traveling Matt never received his own spin-off series. I could watch Matt ride a roller coaster, imitate a pig, or wrestle a lawn plant all day every day. Dave Goelz created such a brilliantly funny and idiotically charming character. One of the many things I love about Matt is his voice. I can't even explain why... because it is so difficult to talk about what makes voices so special... but when Traveling Matt gets flustered and his voice gets high and freaked out, it's pure magic. I also love the way he says, "The other daaaaaaay..." Uncle Traveling Matt is the charming idiot savant who asserts that he is a hero to Fraggle kind (and maybe he is)--and hilarious to boot.
But my favorite character on Fraggle Rock is, without a doubt, Wembley Fraggle. What Wembley does throughout the series is just amazing. Even the second episode of the show, "Wembley and the Gorgs" implies that Wembley is the smartest, most accepting of all the Fraggles. Wembley may be the most naive, the most indecisive, the most wacky... but he also proves that he is the bravest, smartest, and noblest of the Fraggles. Wembley sees the worth in the Gorgs, he sings with Cotterpin Doozer, he raises a baby tree creature, he disproves the Wizard, he fights the Mean Genie, and grapples with mortality with a Mudbunny. Steve Whitmire is the only performer who could have brought Wembley to such wonderful life. The sounds he has Wembley make, the songs he sings, the faces he creates, the complete insanity and giddiness he instilled in Wembley all prove why Steve and Wembley are inseparable. If I had to pick one Wembley episode as my favorite, I think it would have to be Season 3's "Wembley's Wonderful Whoopee Water." The spectrum of emotion that Wembley goes through in this episode is magnificent. Wembley is undeniably one of Steve Whitmire's greatest characters.
And yet, all of the prominent characters on Fraggle Rock are some of their respective performers' bests. Jerry Nelson hit the trifecta with three main characters, each as wonderful as the other, with Gobo Fraggle, Pa Gorg, and Marjory the Trash Heap; three vastly different characters that prove the always impressive variety that Jerry is capable of. Mokey Fraggle and Cotterpin Doozer show us why Kathy Mullen is such a performing force to be reckoned with. Mokey is honest and real and wonderful while Cotterpin in headstrong and stubborn and smart as a tack. The crazy talent of Karen Prell was released through Red Fraggle whose rambunctious tenacity stole the show nearly every episode. Dave Goelz had Boober Fraggle, Large Marvin, Philo, and World's Oldest Fraggle along with Traveling Matt, Steve Whitmire performed Sprocket, Wembley, and a variety of characters, and they all brought to life an entirely new world.
This world, populated with Fraggles and Doozers and Gorgs and Silly Creatures and Hairy Monsters, still holds up wonderfully today. If you haven't seen it, get out there and find yourself some Fraggle Rock as soon as possible. You are truly missing out on some of the greatest Muppet characters that Jim Henson, Jerry Juhl, and the Muppet performers ever created.
The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, email@example.com
6 comments:
- Matt BakerFriday, May 25, 2012 at 4:55:00 PM CDT
What a great article, Ryan! Can't wait for the next installment :)ReplyDelete
I LOVE Wembly!ReplyDelete
I always have!
I agree, Fraggle Rock is one of the best Jim Henson productions, and has some of the best characters ever. While not everyone can relate to Miss Piggy, Doctor Teeth, Gonzo or any of the other oddball characters who inhabit the Muppet Show and its related movies, the Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs are very easy to relate to. If I had to pick a favorite, though, it would be Boober. He has some of the best lines in the series, and seems so out-of-place with the rest of the happy-go-lucky Fraggles.ReplyDelete
Fraggle Rock has definitely become my favorite Henson world; it's just so pure. The characters are definitely my favorite part of it, too! What a lovely article, I really enjoyed geeking out (best possible connotation!) along with it :DReplyDelete
Since there's no one true standout character, you could say that the Fraggles are kind of like the Beatles of the muppet world!ReplyDelete
It could also have been an intentional decision to not have any one character outshine the others as a part of the show's message about the interconnectedness of the world.ReplyDelete


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|Biosequences .. Software .. Molbio soft .. Network News .. FTP
Be thankful to God that her hearing can be helped with aids. Our daughter was diagnosed at 6 months with a profound loss and the prognosis was that she wouldn't hear at all and to learn sign language. Kylie surprised them all though. At 6 months she just wasn't testable. She had been in an intensive care unit for months previous and had learned to tune out most background noise. She will be retested at 18 months, but her hearing teacher feels that by the time she matures, she will be able to hear with aids too! I understand the grief you feel, because we experienced it with great intensity. Keep up with everything you need to be doing and Don't treat her like she's now special and can't do things other kids can. That would be doing her a great injustice. She needs to know she fits in. If she struggles in a totally hearing world, you have the option (if you're in the U.S.) of demanding she be placed with other hearing impaired kids that are taught to be "mainstreamed" with hearing kids. We have opted that by the time our daughter is 3, we will be able to move to a county in Michigan which almost "caters" to hearing impaired children, where they are the norm at one particular school that has both hearing and deaf kids. You may want to contact your school district to find out these types of options, or look on the Internet. Good luck to all of you. Sharon