Facts, exams, polls on positions

Hello! Spring is here! Mowed the lawn for the first time today. It is always a great feeling, until I realize "Wait, now I have to do this once a week or more!".

Some links:

• 301 Useless Facts. While many are useless, a lot of them are interesting.
• Comparison of a Chinese high school test question with a British college one. Ah, it's just math. You'll never need to use that again... In reality, I find this disturbing. (Not that the Chinese are educating their kids well, but that the British and Americans are letting education slide.)
• This political poll states that three quarters of Americans like leaders that will compromise, and two thirds of Americans like leaders that stick to their positions, even if unpopular. I very firmly believe in this and will stand strong on it, but I'm willing to change my mind.

Monkey business, plumber problems, future visions

Hello there. Here are some stories for you to review:

• That whole hundred monkeys on a hundred typewriters thing? Probably not likely to produce the works of Shakespeare.
• Rookie plumber burns down $12 million mansion on his first day. Now that is sure to affect his performance review.
• AT&T "Visions of the Future" videos from 1993 (see links to parts 1 through 6 below). I actually remember seeing this way back when and thinking it was cool. Now I just mourn that it hasn't materialized or I dread that fashion and hair style will revert in the near future when this tech is available.

Super computers, double standard, double image, kong

Hello! After last week's blizzard, it is starting to actually get nice again here in whitmarshall. Crazy weather this spring. So whether you are huddled in to stay warm, or indoors escaping the heat, here are some links for you:

• Something only the geeks like me will appreciate: Things computers can do in movies.
• With Don Imus gone, critics turn towards rap. I saw another blog post where the author went through the Billboard Hip Hop top ten and found all kinds of examples much worse than what Imus said. I hope this criticism continues, because we've had a double standard for too long. I know rap supporters say that the language reflects the tough life and childhood of the performers, but allowing it in song just spreads that attitude instead of combatting it.
• Hybrid images may possibly creep you out. They are images that change as you distance yourself from the picture. I didn't have a lot of luck backing up to see the changes, but it worked OK if I took my glasses off.
  
• Some Post-It happy fellows at USCS created a work of Donkey Kong art on one of the campus buildings. Go Mario!
  

Feud disease, spy program, power point, robots, spoons

Happy Easter to you! Hope you are enjoying your day.
Here's some quick links:

• Rare, inherited disease may be underlying cause of Hatfield/McCoy feud. That, or the article also mentions inter-marrying. Hmmm.
• Ex-Wal-Mart employee claims he was part of elaborate surveillance program. So that's how they find ways to rollback prices?
• Power Point presentations are bad for your brain. I would like to see this article summarized in several easy slides.
• Finally, robot technology has caught up with our grandest imaginations. Sega's robot chicken.
• Help complete the feeding time illusion with this baby spoon with airplane wings.