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“Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.”


Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Glad I Take the Train

I suppose you've heard about the oil shortage in Philadelphia? Of course, it isn't just Philly, it's all over the East Coast. The reason they're giving is, I guess, sound enough--the switch from MTBE to ethanol means stations have to shut down and clean out their huge underground tanks. It's annoying, and we'll get through it. Still, I think it may be an interesting test run for a real oil crisis, which seems to be brewing.

I'm lucky--I can take the train to work. Train runs on electricty. My fiance, not so much--he drives. We've been talking about taking the bus, even though it adds an hour to his commute. But, it'll be half the cost of filling up the tank of gas every week.

It may get to the point where he has no choice but to take the bus. At least, no choice unless we give up eating. (We're not exactly making a lot of money.)

After the past couple of years, it's hard not to feel a little apocalyptic.

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posted by Mary, 11:30 AM

Monday, April 24, 2006

This Space For Rent

Over at Corrente, lambert has a post about the deregulation of the Internet. It's much scarier than it sounds.

Anyway, it's also why I love Mayor Street's idea for a city-wide Wifi, but I also don't think it'll ever happen.

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posted by Mary, 2:05 PM

But Will They Bring Back Slaves and Baccanalias?

As America tries to recreate the Roman Empire...

Forbes has a stupid article, arguing for the return of bloodsport.

It's time to reconsider violence in sports and embrace the essential humanity of watching two grown men beat each other's brains out.

Why not bring back blood sport? Allow full-on gladiatorial combat? Sports are already violent. People are already being hurt. It's time to accept that fact and understand why it's important.

And so on.

Two reasons why this is stupid, aside from the obvious immorality. (Really, do I have to make that case? Has our culture really reached that point?) First, the object of these violent games isn't to kill your opponant. Even in the most violent contact sports--football, hockey, rugby--the object is to score points in a goal. If anything, you're punished for being too rough.

Secondly, I don't think it would be all that popular. We're really not into violence--not real violence, anyway. We like the cartoon stuff. Imaginary violence, Kill Bill or GTA. It's not real, and it doesn't pretend to be real. Real violence isn't very popular--why do you think boxing isn't anywhere near as popular as professional wrestling? Because people don't want real violence.

Much as I love studying Roman history, it's not a culture I think should be revived.

What bothers me about this article is that Forbes is a respected magazine. It's not some lunatic's website.

Well, at least it wasn't in Sports Illustrated.

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posted by Mary, 11:15 AM

Sorry 'Bout That

My computer was knocked out of comission for a week, which is why I haven't been updating this site or Donut Box. But I now have it back, which should mean I'll be writing more.

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posted by Mary, 10:30 AM