Displaying comments 1 to 50 of 3307
Sitters Vs. Standers – The Great Wipe Hope
What, exactly, is considered standing? I wipe in a squat position, with my buttocks raised off the seat in order to allow easy access. Is that standing, or sitting?
And I see a lot of people here expressing fear that their hands might touch the water or a turd...this is only a problem with American-style toilets. I was shocked when I first traveled to the US and Canada to find that your toilet water level is so high! It's like a big bucket, with the turds floating... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:49 PM on December 16, 2009
En bränd bock gör ingen glad.
Thanks to that webcam, it looks like I'm going to spend the day being a Man Who Stares At Goats...waiting for them to catch on fire.
No action yet.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:31 PM on December 16, 2009
Joining Iran, China and Burma in Joyous Information Purity!
They are doing it for a reason, knowing it won't work, it gives them the ability to say that they are socially conservative when it might matter.
I have real difficulty understanding their "strategy", since anyone who's even slightly socially conservative is going to vote for Tony Fucking Abbott.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:29 PM on December 16, 2009
Filed under "Stuff Lyndon B Johnson never did"
We should go unicameral, like the Kiwis, and throw all of these parasites out onto the street.
Well, you could just keep the house of Lords, but elect them proportionally within regions, like the Australian senate. You tend to get more interesting minor parties represented, that way.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:11 PM on December 11, 2009
Climategate?
But there is no mass destiny, my friend. There is no "fate of the world." There is only the fate of your soul. There is no global warming. Only the warmth of the blood that courses through your blood vessels. That's the warmth you will have to answer for.
Ummm....
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:45 PM on December 9, 2009
Is that what it is with the fundies and global warming? They don't give a shit what happens to the earth because they're gonna be Raptured up to Heaven?
Yes.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:47 PM on December 9, 2009
I really don't want to get on my whole climate-change-deniers-are-off-their-fucking-heads horse again, but I thought this would be interesting. One of the steaming piles of bullshit that has come from the leaked climate emails is the idea that "OMG THE SCIENTISTAS ARE HIDING DATA". The fact is they're generally using publicly available data, but like a lot of this stuff it's data you have to go back to the primary source - the meteorological office - to obtain.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:54 PM on December 9, 2009
Does anyone know the overlap of creationists and climate change deniers?
It's not really an overlap, but I remember thinking last week that the percentage of people who felt the leaked emails discredit climate change was very similar to the percentage of people who don't accept evolution.
Which goes to show that climate change denialism, like creationism, is simply about finding justification for a... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:31 PM on December 9, 2009
How about 10 questions any climate change "skeptic" should be required to answer:
Excellent list. Reminds me of my list creationists should be required to answer:
1. Do you believe certain characteristics are passed on from parent to child?
2. Do you believe these characters are carried by genes?
3. Do you believe that some characters might lead to better or worse health in certain... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:51 PM on December 9, 2009
My thinking is something like, "Inferring carbon dioxide levels and/or temperature from tree rings is a major piece of the evidence for global warming?" If that were true, I'd be looking for better evidence because it seems pretty obvious to me that there can be lots of reasons why trees did or did not grow at a particular rate over a period of time.
Oh sure, there can be lots of reasons. But the main ones are, quite simply, temperature and... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 7:47 PM on December 9, 2009
group art = chaos?
There are too many people in the room. You can only watch.
Sounds like a badly organized swingers party.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:17 PM on December 3, 2009
Bringing service to life - for a great profit
When I lived in Adelaide, Serco started running the buses. I didn't know anything about them, except they were British. I figured they were some British public transport company.
Then I was living in Darwin, and part of my job involved visiting the local Army base. I was kind of shocked (and slightly dissapointed) to see that the guards on the gate of the Army base checking my security pass were not soldiers, but Serco employees.
Now there's... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:32 PM on December 2, 2009
Governments are inherently wasteful because they only work for the benefit of others, but private enterprise can do the same job for less because the magic application of Greed is supposed to make them more efficient somehow.
I could never, ever understand this ideology. Private enterprise aims for profit, which means it's always scooping money off for itself - the more the better. Governments, in theory, aren't judged on how much profit they can... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:36 PM on December 2, 2009
Government bureaucracies are entrenched and filled with lots of highly-paid employees with great benefits who can't be fired even if they do no actual work.
For the record, my experience with government employees is that inefficiencies arise from overwork not underwork. I think the idea you present about government workers does stem from some kind of misplaced anti-union jealousy. I've generally found them to be trying to do their... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:31 PM on December 2, 2009
Neuroscience, Live!
I, too, was worried about the brain getting all crinkled up, but I guess they know what they're doing.
You know what I find most impressive? Streaming flash video! Seriously, I clicked on the link and instantly got a very good quality live video feed from three camera angles. Yet why the hell do most sites offering any kind of streaming video insist on goddamn Quicktime or Windows Media rubbish that barely works.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:32 PM on December 2, 2009
(NO, I did not watch video)
Seriously, I've seen a lot worse things in the freezer cabinet at my supermarket than in this video.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 3:40 PM on December 2, 2009
ClimateGate?
As a scientist whos work intersects pretty heavily with climate change related stuff, I could see almost nothing in these emails that was the least bit nefarious. Some of the FOI-related stuff seemed a bit weird, but I deal with strange data-sharing agreements with stakeholders on a day-to-day basis, so I'm willing to assume they knew what they were doing. Also, there can be a culture, at times, for scientists to guard their own hard-won data very closely, and only share it when they get some... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:49 AM on November 21, 2009
But you're wrong when you state there's no majority consensus among scientists.
And consensus isn't how science works, anyway.
Science isn't a case, as the media sometimes make it out to be, of "the truth lying in the middle". The fact that creationists are arguing with evolutionary biologists doesn't mean that, in fact, life is half-evolved, half-created. The fact that there are a few "sceptics" who... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:52 AM on November 21, 2009
Denalists, at least from talking to a few, aren't so much against the science, per say, but the economic and policy implications thereof.
Exactly. Hence senior Australian Senator Nick Minchin declaring last week that "Environmentalism was just a replacement for Communism as the ultimate aim of the Global Leftist Conspiracy". Climate change denialism is nothing more than a right-wing reds-under-the-bed political move. These people are... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 1:47 PM on November 21, 2009
Do the god damn research for yourself and have the balls to admit that you were fooled (like the rest of us).
Hey, fuckwit, I do do the research myself, seeing as I'm a scientist, and I can say for sure that you've been fooled by a couple of right-wing corporate shills and a documentary by a scumbag who's bought-and-paid for by the oil industry. Please, please tell me how many actual research papers you've read on the topic, and then tell me how many... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 7:55 PM on November 30, 2009
How do you expect anyone to take you seriously?
Well as I said, I don't expect you to take me seriously. I don't care what you, personally, think, since your attitude of ignoring clear indicators of risk puts the future of my child in danger.
Look, you can go ahead and continue to side with the IPCC scientists who have now been proven to be nothing but a bunch of blowhard criminals.... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 8:04 PM on December 1, 2009
Climate change FAIL
Oh man, I wish I'd found this thread earlier. Now I'm too pissed to make sense.
It's a very weird outcome - are we seeing the creation of the world's first climate change denialist party? As someone said on Twitter - maybe they'll for the Democratic Liberal Party (Anti-Warmist).
I've always had respect for Malcom, and have felt that a party under his leadership is one I could almost vote for, if the ALP ever completely... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 12:26 AM on November 27, 2009
Oh, regarding the policy of the Greens - environmental scientists I work with consider the Greens' policy completely sensible and moderate. There's no question they'd have an economic impact, but that's the whole point, to create a price signal. However, I support the passage of the ETS because something needs to be done soon, very soon, and anything that may slightly push negotiations in Copenhagen along is fine by me.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 12:38 AM on November 27, 2009
The Kevin Rudd appoints Turnbull (who is very talented as everyone agrees) to a Government job, as he is want to do with talented past political foes. Say the head of the Future Fund!
No no no. Turnbull for Governor General! He may have to reconsider his republicanism, however.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 12:40 AM on November 27, 2009
Give me your views on climate change in 160 characters or less! You fucking great big tool, Hockey.
I gave him my views (he is a great big tool, but a cuddly, cute one), and watching the stream of other peoples' replies, saw about 10% climate change deniers, 30% go-and-get-fucked, and 60% "tell Malcolm to stay the course, we need action on this".
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 1:03 AM on November 27, 2009
Tuckey seems to actually believe that the Coalition would lose more votes than it'd gain by going denialist.
I assume that sentance was supposed to be the other way around? Anyway, Tuckey has always reminded me of Bob Katter. Except, in fairness, Katter actually seems to fairly represent the people who elected him, and seems to honestly care about them. If Tuckey went independent, he wouldn't be long for this parliament.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:00 AM on November 27, 2009
I've heard a lot of otherwise left-leaning people say things like this and, given the guy's history, wonder to myself "why?".
That may well be a fair call. It's just the vibe of the bloke - he just doesn't seem as evil as the rest of the Tory bastards, although judging by your comment, he may well have done more damage.
I dunno. I just think "Tony Abbot as PM? Malcolm Turnbull as PM? I'll... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:54 AM on November 27, 2009
Yeah, I want to know who keeps voting for these fuckers? The system of party discipline in Australia has a lot to answer for; surely the people who vote for the likes of Abbot, Abetz, Bishop and Tuckey don't really know what these people are about?
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 3:24 AM on November 27, 2009
Anthropogenic climate change had better not be the lynch-pin of any argument, mainly because it doesn't exist.
Spoken with the true courage of a willfully ignorant fuckhead. Congratulations.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 1:27 PM on November 27, 2009
Centrebet has a book open on who will be the Liberal leader at the next election. Careful with that link - it opens the "print view" page, but it's the only way I could see to link to the odds directly. Hockey is in the lead, despite officially not yet being in the running.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 7:43 PM on November 28, 2009
Ubu, I've not watched Sunrise for ages, but I reckon you get Wilson Tuckey for the Libs,
Screw you, I do not want Tuckey with my Weetbix.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:11 PM on November 29, 2009
Yeah, they should at least trade Julie for Bronwyn, for some serious lulz.
Interesting that the final tally included one informal vote - there are rumours the Liberals forced someone to vote informal so that the final tally couldn't be evenly split, but I have it on good authority that this "infomal" vote was actually Wilson Tuckey putting down Wilson Tuckey as a write-in candidate...
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 3:16 PM on November 30, 2009
In the face of Mr Hockey's insistence that the matter be a conscience vote, Mr Abbott eventually lost his temper.
"So," he summarised bitterly.
"Malcolm Turnbull's for the ETS. I'm against the ETS. And Joe - nobody knows what the f**k you stand for."
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:01 PM on November 30, 2009
Will there be Question Time today? The House of Reps is sitting, but it seems to be a special sitting, not an ordinary day, so it looks like we won't get any Rudd v Abbott satisfaction for a while.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 6:37 PM on November 30, 2009
Fielding will do the same unless some ridiculous idea of his is adopted and it goes to committee.
Did I correctly hear that Fielding wants a royal commission into the ETS and the science behind climate change, chaired by Ian fucking Plimer? Words fail. Bring on the double-dissolution to get rid of that twit once and for all.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 7:00 PM on November 30, 2009
Avert your eyes! (self link)
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 12:47 PM on December 1, 2009
Endangered sighs of relief
Brisbanites just need to stop watering their fucking driveways.
I read a great reader comment on an article about this on the ABC news website yesterday - i can't find it now, but it went along these lines:
ABC: Do you agree that this dam should be stopped?
Comment 1: No, we need the water.
Comment 2: South-east Queensland gets 1100mm of rain a year, which means 500,000 litres will fall on a typical... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 5:59 PM on November 11, 2009
ACT Legalizes Same Sex Civil Unions
All up, it's not really a big deal and will almost certainly be vetoed by the Feds just like they did the last two times it was passed.
Exactly. As with the Northern Territory's Voluntary Euthanasia law in the 1990s - unfortunately I have no doubt this will be killed by the Feds, although hopefully Rudd knows better than to try, so it may last a few years.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 8:43 PM on November 10, 2009
What will be more interesting to watch is what Malcolm Turnbull, opposition leader, says that he will do. His seat has a substantial gay consituency.
Unfortunately, it also has a much more substantial blue-blood Sydney-money liberal-voting constituency, and ol' Malcom's having enough trouble holding his party together as it is, so I doubt he'll throw his hat into the ring on this one. As I said, I remain hopeful that Federal Labor will let this one... [more]
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 2:18 AM on November 11, 2009
"It will cost you a piece of yourself."
Have there been any multiplayer games where one can join one of two teams, 'terrorists' and 'good guys', and the aim of the terrorists is to kill as many innocent people as possible, and the aim of the good guys is to kill the terrorists. Just wondering. It would be interesting.
posted to MetaFilter by Jimbob
at 4:32 PM on November 10, 2009
