The Answer To Life, The Universe And Everything
January 26, 2008 (2 Responses)
I AM THE ANSWER, or rather I will be tomorrow. You see tomorrow I become the Answer To Life, The Universe And Everything… and I’m not quite sure what to expect going forward.
If you know what I’m talking about then you’re about as old as me too, and you remember the iconic pop-culture reference as well as I do. If not… well then you’re probably too young to know what I’m talking about and I can’t be arsed explaining it to you, so go search for the reference on the ‘Net and it will all make sense for you.
There was a time I thought I wouldn’t make it this far. I used to think I’d never make it past thirty. Hell, now that I think of it, I’m only five years off the age my father was when he died of a massive heart attack… so that’s something to look forward to I suppose!
I think the symptoms that were supposed to kick in a few years ago when I hit the so-called mid-life crisis point were offset by my Year of Debauchery, so now - as The Answer rapidly approaches - they are returning with a vengeance. I’m starting to take stock and look backwards at where I was and how I got here. I’m also starting to become more and more concerned about what happens next… which is an odd and new experience, for me anyway.
In my head I’m still fifteen and in my heart time has no dominion. I still marvel at the way a plane stays in the air. I still love cartoons and cool animation with a jealousy approching rage when I think of the talent the folks that create such wonders have. I have never been able to shake my absolute love of cinema with the whole popcorn and coke thing and I’m still blown away by something as simple as the sight of a full moon on a clear night. I suppose I still get excited by the smallest of things. Most of the time I just get on with stuff, and dream my way through the horrible realities we all face and continue to hope for a lotto win to ease the burden of having to work to live - just like you I suppose.
It’s actually weird to think I’ve been working for more years now than not; so basically over half my life has been in pursuit of Wonga. Cashola. Paydirt and all it entails. Still there are some things that make me smile when I look back. Those friends I made [for life] actually turned out to be just that, hell I even married one of ‘em. Those principles I made such a big deal about when I was young and dumb actually did matter and make a difference; they still do. The life I have now is not even close to the one I’d imagined when I was young; it’s way better. And as for a career… I’m constantly amazed anyone wants to pay me for my opinion, but they do anyway. One of these days someone will take a good look behind the wizard wall and realise there really is nothing more there than a big kid playing at living an adult’s life.
And yet there is a feeling creeping in from the peiphery now that perhaps things are happening faster than before, that maybe I’ve less time ahead than I had behind me and that somehow I should grow up and really take stock of things… but the child inside is still firmly in control and my imagination constantly outpaces my good sense, so I guess for now I’ll keep that particular genie in his box and just continue to bounce along and see what happens next.
I suppose the main thing is to remember the central advice of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy… DON’T PANIC!
Ah what the hell… Happy Birthday To MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I Have Seen The Future: Content Aware Image Resizing
January 21, 2008 (One Response)
THIS IS POSSIBLY the coolest thing I’ve seen in a long time, certainly one of the most impressive pieces of technology I’ve seen lately. Many thanks to Mick for bringing this one to my attention. It’s the brainchild of a Dr. Ariel Shamir and I think it just might make him rich in the process.
The concept is “Content Aware Image Resizing” which I could ramble on about for a few paragraphs but basically just go watch the video demo of this new technology and be amazed. Honestly - you will be completely gobsmacked when you see the power of this new approach to image manipulation. If you want the full tech briefing check out this PDF document on the topic; it should satisfy the nerdiest of needs!
The implications are endless, but even from a Wordpress perspective I wonder if there is the potential to incorporate such functionality into how images are handled by default, thereby making fluid themes really fluid (as distinct from now when image sizes remain constant while the text on the page moves as you resize your window).
Either way, even if this new technology cannot be adapted for WP sites, it will hopefully end up in Photoshop or all the usual players because it’s just too damn sweet to be ignored. In particular - stick with the video to the end folks - you will love the ‘eraser’ functionality.
I seriously hope the dude behind this idea has his patents sorted out because this is one nuclear hot idea.
What If… There Were No Religions?
January 9, 2008 (5 Responses)
I WAS READING the comment trail for an article I wrote recently entitled “Alien Anthropology: Religion Is Dead But Faith May Yet Prevail” when it sparked off a few chaotic thoughts in my noggin and got me thinking about a hypothetical scenario. It’s a simple enough question to ask, but the implications for any answer are likely to be far reaching and widely debated.
I’m not looking to evolve a perfect answer here folks, but I do think it might be interesting to see what perspectives you can bring to this topic, so please do feel free to comment on it. And so to the question at hand…
What if there were no religions?
Imagine a world without religion, any religion; what would it be like? Not a world where religions suddenly ceased to exist, rather a scenario where they never began in the first place. Would we be better or worse off as a result?
Please don’t just run to your comfortable corners with this one folks and spew out any practiced positions if you can avoid it, rather take some time to examine the possible implications and then let rip with your views. To kick things off here are my initial thoughts on the subject.
I decided to look at some key topics and examine if they would be significantly changed or not in light of the hypothesis and to be honest (speaking as an agnostic) I was quite surprised by the results myself because I would have predicted a completely different outcome… Read more
Christianity Defined?
January 5, 2008 (4 Responses)
One Woman Raped Every Day In Ireland Last Month
January 2, 2008 (6 Responses)
I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING… if you’re anything like me you’re thinking “What the fuck?”
The statistic can’t be right. There must be some mistake right? Wrong.
Unfortunately it’s being reported over the airwaves tonight that last month the Dublin Rape Crisis centre had to help one woman per day during December ‘07. Between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the helpline received 12 calls from people who had been recently raped. That’s 31 people who were assisted by the crisis centre and brought to hospital to be treated, in just one month alone! Hell for all we know thats just for Dublin, never mind what happened around the country.
The really scary thing is that these statistics only represent those calls that were reported last month, not the actual figures. Experience suggests the actual numbers are quite a bit higher.
What the hell has happened to Ireland? I remember when a murder being reported on the radio was a big thing, a shock. Now there are murders every sodding day on every news bulletin. These rape statistics are frightening enough, but I did a bit of looking around after hearing of this report and discovered even worse statistics for Ireland as follows… Read more
