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RSS FeedJanuary 22nd, 2012
Those were the days my friend – Nando’s Last Dictator Standing
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
If you like this one, then also consider watching the Nando’s chicken breast commercial.
January 22nd, 2012
Politics and Algorithms rarely mix, but when they do, they involve food stamps and bin packing
January 18th, 2012
If you don’t want to stop online piracy, at least stop misleading names!
As the Wikipedia begins its 24 hours blackout, internet users are being urged to oppose the SOPA (“Stop Online Piracy Act”) and PIPA (“PROTECT IP Act”). Why should the users oppose acts with such noble-sounding names? We all want to stop online piracy. We also want to protect the IP, I presume.
A few years ago we had a slightly related problem – how could a true American oppose the Patriot act.
The problem is that these bills use a name that may or may not be consistent with the content. We need to urge the congress to use a simple number, such as “Bill 239203923″, to describe each Bill. Many states already force that. The name itself creates a bias. If we want the people to be more knowledgeable of what they are voting on, then let us start with a neutral sounding number. At least some one has to ask the question – “What does Bill 239203923 stand for?”
January 17th, 2012
The reality is as strong as you can perceive it
If you are the kind of person who is interested in these fuzzy topics like reality and perception, then you may want to consider watching the Adelson checkerboard video:
Here are a few more proofs of Adelson checkerboard illusion.
January 12th, 2012
Etymology – When it doesn’t work (And some phantonyms)
All of us have a conscious or subconscious focus on etymology that serves us well, except at times when it doesn’t! See this video for an example.
Once in a while we come across a phantonym – a word that sounds opposite of what it means. The word “suffrage” is an excellent case in point, even though it wouldn’t qualify as a phantonym. The word root has been lost and the word sounds similar to “suffering” and has a negative ring to it. That combined with the age of the kids, I don’t take the video too seriously, I think it just makes a good joke, that’s all.
A similar confusion exists between bondage (bad) and bonding (good). I know that there is at least some confusion about this topic, because even one of our recent Presidents has said that “Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.”
January 1st, 2012
An interesting note in Spanish
Here is one thing that I observed that has been interesting even to native speakers.
Firstly, the first person present tense marker usually is “o”. For example: “yo hablo”, “yo pienso”, “yo camino”, “yo digo” etc. This is especially true for regular verbs. Typically, in these cases, the 3rd person marker ends in “a” or “e”, for example: “el habla”, “el piensa”, “el camina”, “el dige” etc.
Now, consider the pretérito for the same, and the situation is sort of reverse. For example: “yo hablé / el habló” “yo pensé / el pensó” “Yo caminé / el caminó” “yo dije / el dijo”
Interesting, no?
December 27th, 2011
Finally, a post about religion
In the past, I have largely stayed away from the very tricky topic of religion. No explanation really necessary. But now, I will make a few broad generalizations about religions, in the following limited sense. I publish following 3 MANDATORY CHARACTERISTICS of all religions, that is, the common denominator of characteristics that every religion should have, considering the multi cultural world that we all live in.
- You should be able to join that religion. In other words, a religion should not be a closed society. If you associate with it, you should be able to join it, after going through some sort of process.
- You should be able to leave that religion. So, if you decide to leave that religion, you should be able to do so.
- You should be able to marry outside that religion, and not force your partner to that religion.
December 19th, 2011
Arroyito – Translation in English
This is my attempt at translating “Arroyito” into English. Of course, some of the translations cannot be literal, so I hope I have done justice to the original song.
| Original (en español) | English Translation |
|---|---|
|
Amaneció, y me encontré con que emprendiste un largo viaje Mi corazón se te escapó del equipaje Y se quedó fue para llenarme de recuerdos Amaneció, y el gallo viejo que cantaba en la ventana Hoy no cantó, pues tú no abriste la mañana Y hasta el viento se devolvió porque no estabas |
Dawn came, and found that you ventured on a long journey My heart escaped from (your) luggage And it is still filled with memories Dawn came, and the old rooster was singing in the window Today I did not sing, because you did not open the morning And even the wind has returned because you were not (here) |
|
Eres el arroyito que baña mi cabaña Eres el negativo de la foto de mi alma Eres agua bendita que crece en mi cultivo Eres ese rayito que me calienta el nido |
You are the stream that runs by my hut You are the negative of the picture my soul You are the holy water that grows in my crops You’re that glimmer that warms my nest |
|
Atardeció, y el corazón abre su álbum en silencio Un acordeón le va imprimiendo los recuerdos Y hace también una canción para que vuelvas Atardeció, y ya se va la claridad de mi cabaña No siento luz en los rincones de mi alma Pues ya no tengo todo lo que llevas dentro |
Evening came, and the heart opens its album in silence An accordion is printing the memories. And also makes a song for you to come back Evening came, and the light goes away from the hut And I don’t feel the light in the corners of my soul And I no longer have that you bring inside. |
|
Eres el arroyito que baña mi cabaña Eres el negativo de la foto de mi alma Eres agua bendita que crece en mi cultivo Eres ese rayito que me calienta el nido |
You are the stream that runs by my hut You are the negative of the picture of my soul You are the holy water that grows in my crops You’re that glimmer that warms my nest |
|
Yo sólo quiero ser el dueño de tu amor Yo sólo quiero ser el dueño de tu risa Para encontrarte y devolverte el corazón Que me acompañes por el resto de mi vida, uy! |
I only want to be the owner of your love I only want to be the owner of your laughter To find you again and return you (my) heart And that you accompany me for the rest of my life. Uy! |
|
Eres el arroyito que baña mi cabaña Eres el negativo de la foto de mi alma Eres agua bendita que crece en mi cultivo Eres ese rayito que me calienta el nido |
You are the stream that runs by my hut You are the negative of the picture of my soul You are the holy water that grows in my crops You’re that glimmer that warms my nest |
December 8th, 2011
The A-12 Spy Plane and Area 51 (How cool is this?)
In this rare picture, courtesy of National Geographic, a titanium A-12 spy-plane prototype is shown suspended upside down at Area 51 in the late 1950s. How cool is this all, that this A-12 was nearly undetectable to radar, could fly at 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometers) an hour (fast enough to cross the continental U.S. in about an hour), and that it could take high resolution pictures of foot-long objects from a height of 90,000 feet (27,400 meters). And this was in the 1950s! (60 years later, and we still spend many hours getting cross the country.)
November 21st, 2011
The Biggest Lie Ever Told
UC Davis Police Chief Annette Spicuzza told reporters Saturday that the decision to use the pepper spray was made at the scene. “The students had encircled the officers,” she said. “They needed to exit. They were looking to leave but were unable to get out.”