Ed Dowding

A paradox involving trees

“Can’t see the wood for the trees” is a common phrase used as shorthand for a common problem: if we’re too close to something, it’s hard to see it in context. Thus we’re unable to see solutions which are obvious, or to think strategically since we lack a bigger-picture overview. There is no one we’re ...

I might have called this all wrong

I’ve just woken from a dream wherein technology saves mankind. But, like Africans and AIDS drugs, I can’t afford it; because I’ve chosen the subsistence solution.

Great posters

http://readymade.com/article/poster_children/

How the mighty are fallen

Hydrate the world

“A solution to world dehydration? http://tinyurl.com/apr7” (via Hermione Way) I’d have made it inflatable with a drain hole myself. Brilliant idea though.

Going into politics

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” Edmund Burke

Should I be an MP?

I was told by 3 people in the last week that I should be an MP. Do you think that’s a good idea? Why? Why not? Can you help?

Obama on #MPExpenses

And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account – to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day – because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/obama_inauguration/7840646.stm

The Buckminster Fuller Challenge

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – Buckminster Fuller The Buckminster Fuller Institute is awarding a $100,000 prize each year for comprehensive solutions that radically advance human well-being and ecosystem health.

Best playlists eva!

I’m trying to compile the best playlists on Spotify (www.spotify.com). Can you help? Sitting around talking: Dancy party: Dinner party: @Hglass.co.uk – this is especially directed at you. @Anyone – if you don’t have spotity and need an invite, let me know.

Tied up in knots

1. Heathrow runway ‘approval is due’ The government is expected to confirm approval for a third runway at Heathrow Airport later, the BBC understands. (http://is.gd/fVkJ) Your government doesn’t care about your long term future, so please take responsibility for it yourself. Only fly when you HAVE to. If you want to get away that much, ...

STILL not going to America

Visitors To US Now Required To Register Online Starting today, visitors to the US from 35 visa-waiver countries will be required to register online with the Department of Homeland Security in advance. The DHS is asking people to go online for the ESTA program 72 hours before traveling, but they can register any amount of ...

Knitting night

Tonight is the first knitting night. I never knew knitting was so cool! http://www.threadbanger.com/

Relationships, made code

START; $SELF = ~1; $PARTNER = ~1; FIND PARTNER; IF ( $SELF + $PARTNER < 2 ) {GO TO START} ELSE {END};

Biggest news of the decade: Body repair 'could be ramped up'

Quite amazing. “A combination of drugs could trick the body into sending its repair mechanisms into overdrive, say scientists. The technique could be used to speed the healing of heart or bone damage, they claim. The bone marrow of treated mice released 100 times as many stem cells – which help to regenerate tissue. ” ...

LoveNinjas

From last.fm: Loveninjas are four or five Swedish boys in their mid 20’s with dirty hair and black clothes. They are determined to make love with Japanese girls and then write songs about it. Loveninjas’ songs sound like classic schlagers that have been forced through a dirty indie filter and then had its lyrics replaced ...

"Recession is a test of character" — Gordon Brown

I beg your pardon? What? “Recession is a test of character” I’m sorry WHAT? “Recession is a test of character” Jesus H. Christ, you prick. You get us into this mess by deliberately sinking inflation in house prices to keep the recorded levels low, in order to generate an artificial feeling of economic prosperity; you ...

It's all fucking fucked

As the chaps at Global Dashboard point out, this graph really does not require much comment. It sure as hell requires an explanation though. It’s really enough to make me cry and be thoroughly depressed. The positive side is that we have proved we can get it together to act fast and spend lots of ...

Recession

I’ve said for a while now that a lot of graphs have been going exponential for the last 50 years, and we ignore these slow trends at our peril. http://jenslapinski.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/being-a-tech-start-up-in-2009/ is a dramatically well illustrated example of how messy things have become.

Damn their twitchy noses!

http://fuckyoupenguin.blogspot.com/