Interesting enough for the subject matter — the mysterious skyjacker who disappeared from a plane1 with some gracious amount of money, never to be found again (the skyjacker that is; some of the money was found, maybe) — this article from the AP is probably best for the very last sentence: “Maybe a hydrologist can […]
The possibly gruesome fate of D.B. Cooper
Posted by Ben on January 26, 2008
https://www.swordbilled.com/the-possibly-gruesome-fate-of-db-cooper/
Less surprised to learn I’m some sort of giant robot, more surprised I’m from the Great Lakes
I AM81%JAZZTake the Transformers Quiz I am: Kurt Vonnegut For years, this unique creator of absurd and haunting tales denied that he had anything to do with science fiction. Which science fiction writer are you? What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak “Standard English straight […]
Posted by Ben on October 28, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/less-surprised-to-learn-im-some-sort-of-giant-robot-more-surprised-im-from-the-great-lakes/
But maybe you knew that already
You want ice? You need black cherries. (via LifeHacker) Loneliness is bad for your health. Bikes “aren’t transportation.”
Posted by Ben on September 3, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/but-maybe-you-knew-that-already/
The Art & Science of Tipping
How we think we understand things we don’t, really. (Namely, tipping.) Interesting shufflings in the comments area, as well as some worthwhile links. (Crooked Timber: “Tipping points,” by Henry [16 May 2007])
Posted by Ben on August 24, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/the-art-science-of-tipping/
Keeping up
I don’t know exactly how it works, nor do I want to: MyProgress.com is a set of powerful Personal Progress Management (PPM) tools with built-in intelligence to automatically observe and analyze all essential aspects of your life. With MyProgress, you can watch your progress and discover your productivity at any period, any time, any place. […]
Posted by Ben on August 21, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/keeping-up/
Remember that old “if it sounds too good to be true” saying? Wasn’t it CRAZY?
Or maybe it wasn’t crazy at all. In fact, does anyone say that anymore? They ought to. Because, if it does, it is. From a press release on the FBI’s web site: The sales pitch was seductive: the young visionary behind Brown Investment Services in Virginia guaranteed investors he would double their money in 30 […]
Posted by Ben on August 9, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/remember-that-old-if-it-sounds-too-good-to-be-true-saying-wasnt-it-crazy/
Burnout
It is possible something is the matter here. Just as there were deep flaws in the work ecosystems of the caring professions, noticed by researchers in the seventies, it’s possible there’s something wrong with our professional environments—and perhaps, more broadly speaking, our culture of work. Isn’t this worthy of examination? Work, after all, is a […]
Posted by Ben on August 8, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/burnout/
The fountain of youth
Or not so much youth as longevity. Winning the Nobel prize apparently adds years to your life, maybe: “Status seems to work a kind of health-giving magic. Once we do the statistical corrections, walking across that platform in Stockholm apparently adds about 2 years to a scientist’s life-span. How status does this, we just don’t […]
Posted by Ben on March 18, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/the-fountain-of-youth/
Stealing Ethics
Of philosophy books at academic libraries, ethics books are more likely to be stolen than non-ethics books. Or, borrowed pending their comprehension? The Splintered Mind provides a slightly more comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon than you’d expect to find, probably. (originally by way of Bookslut; Splintered Mind: “Still More Data on the Theft of Ethics […]
Posted by Ben on January 25, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/stealing-ethics/
How to make friends and impress people: sabrage
First by knowing the word, and second by actually being able to do it. Yeah. Good luck with that.
Posted by Ben on January 5, 2007
https://www.swordbilled.com/how-to-make-friends-and-impress-people-sabrage/