Linkspam: The Return (11-4-2009)

[matgb]

Finally got around to fixing the settings and started using Delicious again. Which means you get context with the links. I'm clearing out the saved folders full, this is a random assortment of stuff I had in a folder called "Cool". Make of tht what you will.

• Charlie vs Cory, who wins?
  Wait, they're on the same side. The good one. Anyway, Open Rights Group Event - Doctorow and Stross: Resisting the all-seeing eye, Friday May 1st, down in That London. No chance I can make it, but you should go. Yes, you.
  (tags: privacy charles+stross cory+doctorow)
• The Sci Fi channel rebrands as SyFy
  Except, obviously, in Poland. The reasons given seem to actually make sense. Doesn't make it a good idea, but it makes sense. But, um, it's still a stupid name. then again, I said that about Dave, ad I reckon I watch that more often than any other channel.
  (tags: SyFy Dave TV marketing rebranding)
• Ignorant jurors threaten fair trials
  Pretty sure this'll be happening over here as well. So many people have little to no understanding of the legal system or why it works the way it does. FS, if the Judge says don't do it, don't do it
  (tags: justice internet)
• Really cool antique map collection
  Jonathan Potter's collection of rare antique maps was up for sale so the Telegraph nicely gave us a set of pictures of them. I've got some reproduction Speeds, but, well, when I've won several lotteries and robbed a few banks...
  (tags: maps)
• the Asus Eee Keyboard
  I wants one my precious, I wants one I does. Such a cool idea, but the whole computer into the keyboard and plug it into a decent TV. Oh, wait, I had a Spectrum when I was a kid. Except that, well, the Spectrum is outspecced by my mobile phone these days.
  (tags: computers eee cool)
• Chelmsford 123 (AD)
  Utterly dodgy YouTube upload of one of the daftest TV sitcoms ever. Helped launch the careers of so many people and, well, it's fun. If you like the idea that the Roman governor of Britannia is based in Chelmsford.
  (tags: comedy tv chelmsford123)
• Jack Kirby's Comic Version of The Prisoner
  I had no idea this even existed. Then, looking at it, I can see why. Kirby was a great visionary, but so horribly dated today.
  (tags: comics tv the+prisoner i+am+not+a+number)
• Best guitar solo ever?
  This is brilliant. Acoustic guitar player doing a version of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, incredibly haunting and well done. ETA: insomnia and spoombung appear to be competing to find competitors in the comments, here's an alternative Japanese player of the same tune.
  (tags: music video)
• Homo Evolutis-what species will our grandchildren be?
  Starts with the economic problems, moves onto technology trends, and then goes into what we're likely to become. Some of his answers may or may not be right, but he sure as hell is asking the right questions.
  (tags: science technology evolution economics trends)
• Time travel cheat sheet-in T Shirt form
  If you've ever wondered how you'd handle being stuc back in time (or like Miriam in another dimension), this handy t-shirt is a must-wear.
  (tags: clothes t-shirt funny)
• Colonial history-the geek notes version
  Bullet point summary of why England ended up colonising "Virginia", start from the bottom entry and move up. An old, and sadly defunct journal linked to in the comments at a post by Steve on something else entirely
  (tags: history funny)

And yes, LoudTwitter is now posting to a private filter, at least for a bit.

Comments

[insomnia.livejournal.com]

See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7jAhB12afE

... apparently the Japanese love playing things like this on the guitar. A different kind of playing than most Americans opt for. It's like watching Stanley Jordan playing bass.

Really, the quality of their guitar players on a whole is pretty damn technically impressive. Seems that half of the "wow, you've got to see this guitarist" links I see on YT are from people in Japan.

[spoombung.livejournal.com]

this is sweet:

[matgb]

OK, stop it now, I have other things to do, the above post is just the first of a massive backlog...

[matgb]

Oh, that is also nice, danke. I'll edit that in as an alt link. I've never really looked for stuff on YouTube like this, acustic guitar not normally been my thing, that might have to start changing.

[burkesworks.livejournal.com]

Off to have some BEER with Charlie and hopefully Cory, as soon as I come out of the bath I'm running...

[matgb]

Oh yeah, knew there was something I meant to be doing today. Ah well, can't afford it anyway.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

So Chelmsford 123 starts out like they snuck onto the set for I, CLAVDIVS, but was apparently made 10 years or so after. The BBC must have TONS of Roman stuff kicking around. I know I recognize that armor.

[matgb]

I'm guessing it's all owned by one of the outsourced firms--it was a Hat Trick production(their first apparently) for Channel 4, but the BBC has to do something with their stuff once they've paid for it.

Every time I did a bit more into the background I figure how important that show was--Andy Hamilton started on it, it was Old Harry's Game that got me and SB together,indirectly.

[pickwick.livejournal.com]

I read that piece on jurors a week or so ago, and keep meaning to go back and read more of the comments. Because...I'm educated, I more or less believe in the legal system and know more or less how it works (I think), but I can't help thinking that jurors knowing more facts is a good thing. And that yeah, lawyers and judges keep facts from the jury for all sorts of reasons, some of which aren't conducive to actually finding out the truth.

Basically, I'm saying that on jury service, I'd be tempted. Although I wouldn't do it in the courtroom, that's just dumb.

[matgb]

I think there's a good argument for reforming the system in such a way that it makes sense and is practical.

But it's a court of law, and while it might be a bit archaic, it has procedures and stuff--breaking the law because you don't like it is fine if you're on a protest and expect to get arrested, but not if you're in a jury tasked with upholding it.

It's my process guy hat--the system needs changing, but we have to work within it.

Jurors knowing facts is good. The defence and prosecution knowing where they got those fats from is essential. Believing sensationalist media reports that no one in the courtroom is aware you've read isn't knowing facts though.

It's like the electoral system--the UK political party that best understands the British electoral system is the one most in favour of changing it--it always shocks me how little those most in favour of the status quo actually know about the way it works (generally, anyway).

[pickwick.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely, I'm talking more about reforming the system than encouraging people to undermine it. And at the moment, going and getting outside facts, whether they're correct or not, will only result in getting the court case chucked out, which is good for nobody.

They're going to have to do something, though, because it's getting more and more unrealistic to expect people to keep themselves ignorant, I think, because it's so easy to go and find information. (Mostly wrong or sensationalist information, which is another problem, yes.)