Writing in arch daily, Ann Sussman and Katie Chen explain why 20th century architecture is so ghastly. Synopsis: the “greats” of 20th century architecture were perceptually and socially impaired. We live in a world designed by whackos. Tip from the Wrath of Gnon. Continue reading They’re not prisons, they’re bunkers
Writing in the Atlantic, Helen Lewis explains shortages and panic buying as a failure of efficiency; the weakness of just-in-time logistics. Sorry Helen, but you’re a logistics n00b; even this old retired Lieutenant Colonel knows about arcane loggie stuff like stock levels and re-order points (zero is NOT a good re-order point). When the military does it right, it’s called readiness (the First Gulf War was “fought off the shop floor” — we were over-prepared) When a civilian does it right, he’s called a prepper (Thanks, Covid-19, for making America a nation of preppers. It’s about time). Lewis blathers on … Continue reading Not-Quite-in-Time Logistics
Randal O’Toole, the Anti-Planner, points out the wrongheadedness of ever-increasing urban density, Now, we are getting another lesson. Due to a novel virus, we are told to “socially distance” ourselves. But no one is telling us to drive our cars instead of riding transit. Instead, the transit agencies are still operating and giving out platitudes like “we wipe the handrails every day.” BART says it is running ten-car trains all day so people can stand as far from one another as possible. Spring Breakers, I think he means you. Update: Over at Issues and Insights, Thomas McArdle weighs in on … Continue reading Don’t Bunch Up!
…is what the marijuana crowd has been telling us since I was a toddler in the Eisenhower Administration. Well, if the States are a Laboratory for Democracy, I’d say that the Marijuana Experiment is crashing from the “unexpected” side effects. Peter Hitchens, writing in The Spectator comments Marijuana has been the beneficiary of one of the slickest, most sustained advertising campaigns in human history. Not only do millions believe it is some sort of medicine. Most people, even law enforcers, describe it as a ‘soft’ drug. This is an absurdity. Lifelong mental illness is not a ‘soft’ outcome. Why, it’s … Continue reading “Don’t worry, it’s harmless”
This is what happens when city folk “play country:” Live poultry in backyard flocks are linked to several multistate outbreaks of salmonella infections that have now sickened 212 people in 44 states, federal health officials warned Monday. Health officials advise washing with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything nearby. They also advise not letting live birds inside the house, especially where food or drink is prepared, served or stored. Also, no kissing or snuggling with birds only to then touch your face or mouth. You shouldn’t have to tell people this. Tip from Drudge, who don’t … Continue reading The Urban Chicken Movement Turns Dark
It’s become outmoded, pointless and boring. Continue reading Diversity has committed the First Sin of Fashion
Those wily Brits have identified some major stumbling blocks in their education system: Schools are removing analogue clocks from examination halls because teenagers are unable to tell the time, a head teachers’ union has said. Teachers are now installing digital devices after pupils sitting their GCSE and A-level exams complained that they were struggling to read the correct time on an analogue clock. It gets worse Earlier this year, a senior paediatric doctor warned that children are increasingly finding it hard to hold pens and pencils because of an excessive use of technology. …”It’s easier to give a child an … Continue reading Ooo, ooo! I have a better idea!
…and does it in style. It’s not uncommon here to see chickens roaming in their owners’ homes or even roosting in bedrooms, often with diapers on, according to Leslie Citroen, 54, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after “chicken whisperers,” who does everything from selling upscale chickens and building coops to providing consultation to backyard bird owners. Her services cost $225 an hour. Want a coop and walk-in pen (known as a run)? You can expect to pay $4,000 to $5,000 for a standard setup. Fools and their money. But as Kid Creole and the Coconuts sang “Whatcha gonna … Continue reading Silicon Valley meets the Urban Chicken Movement…
Turns out there may be an upper limit to automating retail businesses. When confronted with self-serve checkouts, many folks turn into thieves: “There is NO MORAL ISSUE with stealing from a store that forces you to use self checkout, period. THEY ARE CHARGING YOU TO WORK AT THEIR STORE.” It’s so pervasive that it’s not even called shoplifting any more; it’s “external shrinkage.” This is going to continue until retailers wise up to the idea that it’s cheaper to have a flesh-and-blood cashier ringing up–and collecting payment for–purchases, than it is to have the stuff just walk out the door. … Continue reading Maybe NOT every job will be automated
Young, and looking to get a great job? You might think twice about getting a tatto and sending the world the wrong message: We collect numerous measures of time preferences and impulsivity of tattooed and non-tattooed subjects and find broad-ranging and robust evidence that those with tattoos, especially visible ones, are more short-sighted and impulsive than the non-tattooed. Almost nothing mitigates these results… Don’t think businesses aren’t taking note during that hiring interview. Tip from American Digest Continue reading To tattoo or not tattoo?
The Home for Wayward Statisticians 