The Last Colony, Scalzi. Yes. This is the third volume in Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War” series. After I had become accustomed to the primary mode of conflict in the first two books, I was a bit disappointed by the change-up at the beginning of this one. But damned if Scalzi didn’t find a way to suck me right back in again (and yes, he cheats a little, but only in a good way).
Little mechanical things continue to distract. The odd typo here and there is sadly expected these days, but opening a chapter with a sentence in which the word “plant” appears when the word “planet” is intended is egregious.
Old Man’s War and Ghost Brigades Review
Old Man’s War and The Ghost Brigades, Scalzi. Yes. Scalzi has some genuinely big ideas here, and has written stories that are nearly worthy of them. To be fair, it would take many, many volumes to explore even a fraction of the central idea, and Scalzi does eventually at least nod to some of the larger implications, so I don’t hold that against the works. I do hold against them their lack of mechanical and editorial perfection, but editing and mechanics are no worse than I have come to expect from Tor.
September Reading
Behind the Headlines (but only just)
You may have heard about that survey of the religious knowledge of USAnians and wondered what the questions were. Here’s the full survey (and interesting to note that it’s not expected that a survey taker knows how to pronounce Episcopal, among other words) and the full report.
Perhaps more significant is the fact that there is no historical baseline for any of this data, so there’s no way to know if this has changed over time. There is also no indication that this knowledge is necessary or significant in people’s lives. The survey report admits all of this and the fact that it’s mostly a promotion for a PBS special on religion in the US. And when I first saw the promo for that special last month I thought “well, I guess they think that sucking up to religious people will help their government funding, eh?”
A Brief History of Every Worker Comp Claim Ever
Three workers are pulling cable through the ceiling.
Senior worker, to junior worker teetering atop a stepladder: Don’t stand on the ladder like that. Get your feet planted or get an 8-footer.
Junior worker shifts somewhat
Senior worker: That’s not planted. Just go down and get an 8-footer.
Junior worker starts down the ladder.
Other senior worker: Hey, don’t stop, I need more cable!
Junior worker resumes his teetering position.
Things that are different but also similar
An article on anti-foreigner protests in Japan that have shocked the public reminded me of when it was pointed out to me that while the US had student protests in the late 60s, so did everyone else, including China’s Cultural Revolution. So while the US is having an odd populist uprising showing resentment of perceived outsiders, so is Japan. I am glad that I’m not the only one who is shocked by protesting an elementary school (or the use of the adjacent park, depending who you ask), but I was surprised by the descriptions of the far-right’s vans tooling around town being a regular sight. I guess the US has Neo-Nazis, but they can’t usually get it together to buy a van. I bet another similarity can be seen in the photo of one of the group leaders in a bow tie. Perhaps bow ties are not as cool as the Doctor thinks.
August Reading
My Eyes!!!!
So some towns in Australia are having problems with swooping birds (birds are protecting nests, but people get pecked in the head while just strolling around), so here’s some help in protecting yourself: printable eyes to tape to the back of your head!!!!
Also, there is a link going around to an animated gif of a molting cicada. If someone had said “hey, would you like to see a movie of how a cicada molts? It is pretty neat,” I may well have said yes. But because the links were on a forum of short thoughts, I did not get that vital context. I just ended up looking at a picture of a big ole bug that SUDDENLY BEGAN REARING UP OUT OF ITS OWNSELF. I was creeped entirely out the door by what should have been a friendly sharing of information. I don’t know how people with actual phobias can even cope, what with url shorteners and so forth.
Even better option: Jetsons noise
I was initially opposed to proposals to make electric or electric/fuel hybrid vehicles make more noise. Isn’t one of the benefits of these vehicles that our neighborhoods are less noisy? But I guess people are concerned about the possibility of accidental death and dismemberment (?!?!?!?). All of my concerns are addressed in this excellent press release and video from Toyota for their new noisifier system. Not only does it sound super futuristic, you can turn it off if you need to murder someone!