The Bergius Process

Nancy Atkinson at Universe Today writes about a good idea by a man called Jim McLane – send one man or woman to Mars, just to stir things up a little and get some science done. I like the idea. Read the story.

However, there's one disturbing detail in the article, namely McLane's idea for a slightly different mission: a one-man and one-woman crew, "possibly creating an Adam and Eve-type situation". Is it just I who immediately think "what good would that do" and "why not a gay couple"? I think it's rather bizarre and tasteless to suggest that the incestous Christian creation myth would be a positive template upon which to design a mission – sure, it'd be good for the astronaut to have a sexual partner, but what's the point of it being a man and a woman? One can imagine that they might be able to raise a couple of children, who could then work the family farm... But that'd be the end of the line, since we now know that it's usually a bad idea for siblings to mate, or for children to mate with their parents – something many authors of the bible didn't consider when throwing together that nasty piece of junk litterature.

Those were just a few of my random thoughts when reading the article. I'm all for sending someone to Mars :).

I joined a Facebook group the other day called "I bet I can find 1,000,000 people who dislike George Bush!", and apparently they feel confident that they've succeeded – celebration has already commenced, part of which is a free download of the book The Progressive's Handbook – Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now. I haven't read it yet, but anything anti-Bush (before you try, I'd argue Islamic terrorism is pro-Bush) must be good. Download here: http://www.progressivesprimer.com/1000000/

The God Delusion

I'm currently reading Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion, and it is fantastic. I just have to share this paragraph with you:

To be fair, much of the bible is not systematically evil but just plain weird, as you would expect of a chaotically cobbled-together anthology of disjointed documents, composed, revised, translated, distorted and 'improved' by hundreds of anonymous authors, editors and copyists, unknown to us and mostly unknown to each other, spanning nine centuries.

I like taking personality and IQ tests. It's enlightening to get some kind of external indication regarding how your mind works, and it's nice to find out that you're almost as smart as you think you are. The following results are from rather dry and serious tests, but I do enjoy taking all sorts of strange tests (according to this one, I'm 67.8% pure :)).

According to this IPIP-NEO test (I chose the short version), this is me (condensed from a lengthy report):

"Your score on Extraversion is low, indicating you are introverted, reserved, and quiet. You enjoy solitude and solitary activities. Your socializing tends to be restricted to a few close friends.

Your level of Agreeableness is average, indicating some concern with others' Needs, but, generally, unwillingness to sacrifice yourself for others.

Your level of trust is average. Your level of morality is high. Your level of altruism is high. Your level of compliance is average. Your level of modesty is low. Your level of tender-mindedness is average.

Your score on Conscientiousness is average. This means you are reasonably reliable, organized, and self-controlled.

Your score on Neuroticism is low, indicating that you are exceptionally calm, composed and unflappable. You do not react with intense emotions, even to situations that most people would describe as stressful.

Your level of anxiety is low. Your level of anger is low. Your level of depression is low. Your level or self-consciousness is high. Your level of immoderation is low. Your level of vulnerability is low.

Your score on Openness to Experience is high, indicating you enjoy novelty, variety, and change. You are curious, imaginative, and creative.

Your level of imagination is average. Your level of artistic interests is high. Your level of emotionality is average. Your level of adventurousness is average. Your level of intellect is high. Your level of liberalism is average."

According to this Jung Typology test, I'm a well-defined INTJ.

If you know of any good (and free) tests, leave a comment! I'm always up for a new test.

We all know that George W. Bush is stupid, in the most basic sense of the word. We all know that Fox News is a parody on journalism and a propaganda tool for the GOP. These are obvious facts, just like the fact that there is a secret society called Skull and Bones, of which both Dubya and Senior Bush are members. These are not conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories describe things that are much more uncertain. I enjoy conspiracy theories, but do not readily believe them. However, they raise a great deal of interesting questions, which astonishingly often remain unanswered by those who are targeted by them. The authors of the theories provide their own answers which are often quite absurd, but sometimes worth considering.

Take, for example, the events surrounding 9/11. Everyone should watch the documentary Loose Change, which does a very good job at describing the disturbing lack of answers as to what really happened that day. There are a number of details which goes beyond the realm of conspiracy theories and clearly enters the world of facts, details that raise serious questions which haven't been answered. The documentary itself puts forth its answers, as does the conspiracy debunking theorists, but there's a severe shortage of official explanations.

Another brilliant documentary, which has nothing to do with conspiracy theories, is Outfoxed, which highlights the lack of integrity and journalism at Fox News. It's entertaining and extremely scary at the same time, and I suspect that my laughter was for the most part simply a psychological defense in order to avoid depression. Because it is depressing to think that people not only watch Fox, but also believe what they're being told.

Finally, coming back to the realm of conspiracy theories, you should watch The Illuminati, part 3 of 4 (Google Video). It is for the most part overly dramatic and a tad cheesy, but it puts forth some very interesting bits of facts. The depression brought on by this material stems mainly from the fact that none of it seems odd. It all fits, and there are no surprises. It's nothing new, really, but it's good to see it all in one place.

There are two things missing in Swedish candy culture: Jelly Belly and Skittles. I'm hooked on Jelly Belly. Cany in Sweden is very dull. Everything is a variation on a single theme: colored gelatin. Of course, that goes for anything that isn't chocolate, but the Swedish candy is exceptional in its dullness. The only thing that we do really well is licorice. As for the rest, we have soft, colored gelatin. Red ones taste... red. Blue ones do not exist. Another thing that doesn't exist in Sweden is cinnamon and ginger flavored stuff. I love both. I grew up on ginger and cinnamon.

Enter Jelly Belly... Buttered Popcorn! Bubblegum! Toasted Marshmallow! Check out the Official 50 Flavors. I mentioned Skittles merely because I'm having some right now. They're not in the same league as Jelly Belly, but they are much more interesting than any kind of Swedish stuff. Can't recommend mixing ginger beverage and Skittles though, tastes like mold.

Of course, there are some interesting kinds of candy over here. I'm exaggerating, as usual. Check out Godisbloggen (in Swedish) for more information. One thing that's definitely wrong with American candy and soft drinks is the tendency to make things cherry flavored. Please, realize that artificial cherry tastes like soap. It's ridiculous.

She's an ignorant hillbilly, a worthless singer and not even remotely good-looking, but at least now she's entertaining. Go Britney!

I just got the Mighty Mouse I ordered together with my MacBook (which is fantastic), and after only a few minutes of using it, I've come to the conclusion that it must be the worst mouse ever built. The precision is completely worthless, it's too slow even on maximum speed, the three-button emulation is bizarre (you have to lift your index finger from the left side of the mouse in order to get a right-click), the squeeze idea fails miserably and it seems to have problems reconnecting if I turn it off or put the computer in sleep mode. If you're wondering what the hell I mean with the squeeze idea, check out Apple's product information (Google it, dude).

Not the most expensive mistake I've made though, so I'll just keep it and try to use it for a while, until I throw it hard into a wall.

Encounter (in an unexplored nebula)

1 comment

I just listened to this track I made ~7 years ago, and I still find it really good. I've not been overly productive in the years since then, although I'm trying to get some stuff done (visit olaglig.info for a bunch of relatively fresh tracks). If you want to purchase some ambient music, be sure to visit the label Databloem – this track was released on that label's first CD, a compilation called Collection 1: Opening. Since this is the only track by me that has been commercially released, it's also the only one to have been commerically reviewed:

'Encounter' by the Civilized Electrons starts extremely quietly, soft tones being allowed to just hang in the air. In the third minute in comes the most beautiful dreamy melody which goes through a number of mutations in both structure as well as the sound chosen. It just gets better and better. A four note loop works its way into your consciousness, it had probably been there slowly intensifying for some time before I actually noticed it. Gradually it becomes more like a pulse or soft throb. The repeated melody has something of a hypnotic quality but is never boring. An additional lead line is added in the tenth minute eventually replacing its predecessor, another slow delicate melody complimenting it wonderfully lower in the mix. Its all so delicate. A wonderful track to finish a very impressive album. (Synth Music Direct)

The Civilized Electrons (from Sweden): "Encounter (in an Unexplored Nebula)" is a calming dose of ambience that defends its unhurried structure with placid outbursts of gurgling particles. (Sonic Curiosity)

Sweden's The Civilized Electrons offer the undulating fogbanks and starsheen which is an "Encounter (in an Unexplored Nebula)"; gauzey resonance fluctuates as brighter synthtones flex through them (again in a "classic" synthmusic mode with lots of apparent sequencer journeys and faux instrumetal swells). (AmbiEntrance)

Last but not least is "Encounter (In an Unexplored Nebula)," by The Civilized Electrons from Sweden. This is excellent pure space music, and will have you drifting pleasurably off into the ether to finish things off. (Exposé Magazine)