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Andrew Turner's page
Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Tales Subscriber.  Pathfinder Society Member. 3,514 posts (3,916 including aliases). 3 reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 52 aliases.
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My wife and I just finished watching The Atom Smashers, a documentary covering the search for the Higgs boson at FermiLab. It's an older film, from 2008, but still very interesting. It's a bit downbeat, and I kind of felt like I could just start crying at any moment--but I'm pretty passionate about science in general, and physics in particular.
At any rate, I think the film's most significant message is familiar to many of us on these boards, especially to those of us who will open this thread; and it's something we've talked about at some length: the state of science and science education in the US.
When the last shuttle mission returned, here's what I posted.
What's hurting science in America?
The government certainly isn't helping things along. The 2013 budget for HEP is less than $1 billion. When we're talking a budget in the trillions, a billion is nothing. It's like asking the average American wage earner for a penny. On the other hand, the military spent $1 billion just in advertising! And now we're doing everything we can to weed the ranks. The 2013 NASA budget is a paltry $17 billion, and before you think that's an awful lot of money, it's 0.48% of the total 2013 budget. The government spent $31 billion last year subsidizing the railroads.
There's a lot of tech out there, and our kids are very much integrated into technology and with one another through technology. In fact, I'm presenting a paper this coming winter that talks specifically about the ethics of technology (and its use) as seen through the eyes of our youth. Tech is everywhere, and maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe tech is so ubiquitous we literally don't notice it anymore.
I'd be hard-pressed to find anyone my age and younger who isn't tech savvy, yet I'd be equally pressed to find many people of the same group who could explain how the GPS actually works, or why there's a magnet in their microwave oven.
I could name the top ten physicists in America right now and the overarching commonality would be that 8/10 are senior citizens a year or so from joining the emeriti.
I have my subscriptions set up to ship together rather than as a product becomes available, and I know that your policy is to charge for an item when it ships.
However, while I'd like to maintain my all-together shipping preference, Id like to read the epub versions of Pathfinder Tales (like Death's Heretic) as soon as the product is available.
Is it possible you guys could charge me for the novels as they're available so I can download the epub file but still wait and ship the physical product per my shipping prefs?
Thanks to Ari Marmell for the link; I echo his sentiments: WTF?
Fascism Alive and Well in Arizona
As a sworn defender of the US Constitution, I'm rather disgusted by this development.
Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas, one and all!
I hope the season is kind to you and yours.
-Andrew :-)
In the Xmas spirit, my brood and I attempted to build a 'ready-made' modular Gingerbread village. Upon our rather disastrous failure, my oldest said, "It's like Godzilla dropped by."
Well, we decided Cthulhu would do.
Has anyone else made a village or a house (whether you did a very good job or not...)?
Suggestion 1:
Give away a couple copies of each new major publication (like Bestiary 3), signed by everyone who had a hand in it.
Only rule to win is being a message board member with at least, I don't know, 10 posts and one thread.
Just randomly pick a couple message board members who meet the criteria.
Suggestion 2:
Make a dozen signed copies of each new major publication available for purchase, first come-first serve, with a 25% (or so) markup.
The profits for those copies go to charity, tallied at the end of each FY.
(sorry if this thread is in the wrong place)
Not only is this just one hell of a great movie, it's a walk back in time for we grognards! It's like finding a lost Speilberg film from the 80s. Camera angles, close ups, pans, sound design, even lens flares--vintage awesome!
Very highly recommended.
Prof. Ferguson, Harvard, Discusses the rise and potential fall of Western Dominance
I found this TED excerpt to be quite interesting. Ferguson has a few very interesting remarks, though no epiphanies.
I take some exception to the argument that Westerners as a group, particularly North America, have lost the Puritan work ethic; since much of what Ferguson contends seems to hinge on this opinion. I work a good 60+ hours a week, and while I have most weekends off and the plethora of federal holidays, I'm always on call except when physically on vacation (where I still get plenty of work email). I work my ass off.
I'm currently stationed in South Korea (Ferguson's example of hard workers), and I agree that the average Korean professional works very close to 12 hours a day, six days a week--but there's this interesting cultural norm in Korea called the Easy Lunch (two hours long) and the Business Dinner (sometimes as long as three hours of nothing but drinking and talking about work): to say Koreans work an average of three to four hours longer than Americans each day is a bit disingenuous.
Plenty of Korean professionals--and I'd guess professionals the world over--bring their work home and continue to type away (just like me) well past 10 PM. But professionals are a class of worker, an echelon is what I mean. Professionals the world over aren't the bulk of the national workforce, rather the laborer makes up that bulk, from commerce to service. The average laborer is working their ass off for less money than professionals but for specific work periods; and they don't tend to be on call 24-7. My point is that professionals are working long hard hours and laborers are working shorter hard hours, but everyone's working their asses off. The part-time teen at the Qwick-e Mart isn't and shouldn't be representative of the total workforce.
Absolutely phenomenal film. Very highly recommended.
Episode 1 of this 10th and final :-( series airs Sunday at 9 PM.
Apollo 18 is awesome!
I went in with really no expectations, and was marginally prepared to be underwhelmed. I started the film with a small bag of popcorn and a medium drink--most films see me finish a small popcorn around the half-way mark and I usually get up once for a drink refill.
When this movie ended, I had two-thirds of a bag left and had drunk only half my Coke. I bought tickets for the very next showing, and I may go again tomorrow.
Really very highly recommended.
Dead Island
The most emotional video game trailer I've ever seen.
I'm dying to play this game, but I think I'm more excited to see the movie.
HD Game Play example
Shuttle Final Mission
Well, I'm genuinely very sad. I've personally seen 12 launches and three recoveries in my life, but haven't seen one in the last four years; now I'll never see another one.
I'm more sad, though, to read the great majority of anti-Space Program comments at CNN. If the 800 or so comments are indicative of general public opinion, I fear we're turning into a nation incurious and indifferent. Most of the several dozen comments I read couch the vitriol in complaints centered on the weak economy, but the overall tone is one of waste in toto. There's literally no interest in space or exploring beyond our planet, and really no interest in science.
There seems to be this idea that NASA is getting billions and billions of dollars: they're not. Almost every other program you can probably think of gets more money than NASA. Education? 3%. Healthcare? 23%. Welfare? 12%. General government? 1%.
NASA? 0.58%.
Paul
Absolutely hilarious! The perfect geek film; very highly recommended. I'm just sorry I missed this when it was in theatres last winter.
WWDC June 2011 Conference
Just got around to watching this, which also discussed next month's release of OS X v10.7 Lion. I was impressed with the features of OS 5, but absolutely amazed with iCloud.
In a nutshell:
My wife is volunteering at an event at my daughter's elementary school; I'm sick and couldn't make it. She takes some video with her iPhone, then calls me to tell me to check it out. I turn on the TV, switch the input to HDMI 2 (on my TV) and AppleTV, and watch the video she took just a few minutes ago, 15 miles away. It synched automatically, wirelessly.
I create a document on my Macbook, close it down to go to work. I get to the office, turn on my iPad, open Pages--and there's the document, automatically downloaded.
I buy an audiobook from iTunes on my iMac. I jump in the car the next morning, plug in the iPod Touch and there's the new Stephen King audiobook auto-added to my library and ready to carry me through the traffic, and synched with where I stopped back in the house on the computer.
5 GB for all my junk (docs, etc.)
All my iTunes purchases and App Store purchases--ever, in the history of the store and my account with it-- are backed up in the Cloud for free.
Photos don't count against the 5 GB.
All the music I own that wasn't purchased through iTunes--whether I ripped it from CDs or stole it off the Pirate Bay--, from a single 3 MB song to the 102 GB of music I've collected over the last 10 years, is backed up and stored for a paltry $25 a year.
I forgot to mention, there's no longer any need to tether your iDevice to a computer: everything has been softdesigned to operate autonomously--no Mac or PC required.
This thread is intended to consolidate updates for those interested in tracking and discussing VG's testing and advance toward commercial operations.
Reentry test footage
VG Website
I recently was in the market for a new console, and to make a long story short it came down to a) lots of good Xbox titles which I already own and sill play, and b) the PS3 has a Blu-Ray player.
Ultimately, I would not have minded a future of dusting off the old 360 in order to play a Halo match, or replaying my three favorite titles (Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas, CoD Black Ops) on a new system (PS3). After some none-too-paltry research, I was pretty satisfied that console graphics were much the same, the price points nearly equal; which meant that, for me, the BRP was the real hanging point.
I already have two Blu-Ray players--one in the den and one in the bedroom. We also have an Apple TV in the den and the bedroom, and the kids have one in the playroom. I realized that, ultimately, we watch downloads through Apple TV or the LaCie media center (for MKV files and the like), and the BRPs collect dust.
I stuck with MS and bought a new 360.
So, now, the question: both MS and Apple claim that digital downloads are the way of the future, and I tend to agree simply based off my own family's habits and usage. What do you think: are discs truly on the way out, even BR discs?
Anyone have any idea when this map pack will be released in South Korea? I wanted to buy it today, didn't have enough points, bought points, then got the "sucks you're not in one of the privileged countries" message.
I've looked at the immensely-unnavigable COD website, and even made a profile so I could ask the question. Of course, I got a dozen responses from 12 year olds who didn't answer the question but were quick with racist wit. Google has been worthless, as well.
This game would be awesome...except for checkpoints. No way to save except at checkpoints. I don't know, maybe Fallout spoiled me. Personally, I tend to have 20 or 30 minutes at a time to play, and I might go days or weeks without even turning on the console. I rarely finish checkpoint games, no matter how awesome they are.
Even said, this game is absolutely spectacular looking.
Wonders of the Universe, hosted by Professor Brian Cox.
Nothing new here, if you're already science-literate; but absolutely stunning images and awesome effects. Professor Cox is a great host. He seems so genuinely happy and in love with science, it's infectious. I can't recommend this short four episode series enough.
Great soundtrack, too.
Surprisingly good. Very highly recommended.
How is this newest Salvatore novel? Is it worth checking out?
Apparently, either SF kids are employed and buying their own meals, or parents are not responsible enough to be parents without the City Council's help.
McDonald's Happy Meals May Soon Be Banned in SF
Interestingly, the hamburger Happy Meal is 590 Calories, which for the math-challenged is 10 calories under the 600 calorie limit. The entire meal contains no trans fats, in compliance with the less than 35% SF ordinance stipulation. Finally, while a half-cup of fruit and 3/4 cup of veggies is not standard in a Happy Meal (and carrots and apple slices do not a Happy Meal make, IMHO), these things are available at SF McDonalds.
I don't understand the hullabaloo.
For more info on McD's nutrition, simply google McD's nutrition...Sorry, but I'm too lazy and lethargic from my ginormous Happy Meal to link it for you...
originally written by net persona 'abcdef54321'
(from CNN.com)
"...Women want a home, children, a family life, a network of friends, a social life, and romantic intimacy with a male partner who wants the same things she does. There are three denominations of Romance popular among American women right now.
1. The Princess is in search of her knight in shining armor, her Lancelot, her Prince Charming, who is THE ONE. THE ONE is the man that fate, destiny, God, or Fortuna has designed just for her. He loves what she loves. He wants to spend time with her, listen to her, and tend to her needs. He will fulfill his mission as sire of her brood and will be an attentive and loving father.
2. The Cosmo Girl wants it all: education, house, marriage, career, travel, fun, lots of friends, a social life, dancing, tea with the girlfriends, exercise, vacations, kids, popularity, lovely clothes, deep emotional discussions with everyone she knows, the approval of all, success ... and the Cosmo Guy who adores her and who will love every one of the "Eighteen Ways To Please Your Man In Bed."
3. The Nester wants a home and kids and a family. A husband is necessary for all that to happen. He has to bring home the paycheck, impregnate her the desired number of times, and function as her assistant at home: mowing, trimming, painting, vacuuming, barbecuing, washing the car, and picking up dog poop. His personality is not that important as long as he does his job.
The problem is that American men simply do not fall into any of those categories. As I read them back to myself, I felt repelled by each of them. I can see the benefit to women in hooking up with one of those three characters, but I don't want to be one. I have thought about becoming gay, but hell I don't like men either. They are all jerks."
CJ brought up a good point in a related and most awesomely-awesome thread, chiefly that the winter months are just as good for creepy ghostly readings as the autumnal months. As I mention over in yon thread, technically, autumn doesn't close until 21 December...
I think the illimitable CJ is right--Thanksgiving and Christmas aside, I'm from Alaska where November and December are synonymous, in my mind, with absolute and utter quiet; desolation and drear; solitude and a queer, silent, tangible agoraphobia, where the entire world echos soundlessly back at you. New meaning to all that the-woods-were-lovely-dark-and-deep jazz...
Still, I think of September-October as haintish, and November-December as murderful.
To this end...
Best Books for a Murderous, Desolate Winter.
What are some of your favorite, deathly-cold titles?
Trick 'r Treat
I can't believe 1) this film was a direct-to-DVD release and 2) it's three years old.
An absolute gem; you will not be displeased. This is my new favorite Hallowe'en movie. It is absolutely perfect.
5 out of 5.
Games to be run:
Call of Cthulhu
Warhammer, Fantasy/Rogue Trader/Deathwatch/Dark Heresy
AD&D 1E
D&D v3.5
Pathfinder
Shared-worlds:
Ravenloft
Forgotten Realms
Dark Sun
Grey Hawk
Willing to play D&D 4E, you must GM
I have most of the manuals for all versions, and a ridiculous number of adventures/modules if you are interested in DM.
Contact me on the Global, Andrew.lee.turner
After stumbling across the Blizzard patches for OS X, I reinstalled this on my iMac today. Great fun to be had by all, and I'm surprised at that, too. I mean, the game is over ten years old at this point.
Nonetheless, does anyone know of any way to use the keyboard to move and pick up items?
Using the mouse is beyond easy, but while I have a spare wired keyboard, I haven't owned a wired mouse in years--batteries aren't cheap, and I can imagine replacing them pretty quickly if I'm constantly depressing that left button for hours on end.
Monsters
Not about monsters at all; and you'll either love it or hate it.
Amazing film--budget: $15,000.
Absolutely, this film is the epitome of creative resourcing and demonstrates what can be done for, literally, a few pennies and a lot of motivation.
The new series has begun!
Episode two, Monday at 9PM.
I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive in the post. Has anyone else played yet?
How much sleep do you get every day? Is it enough? Do you take naps? Anyone suffering from a dysfunction?
This is a thread to discuss anything related to sleep.
Here's a suggestion for the far future, when you have absolutely nothing else to do...
Under 'Recent Posts' for an individual member, organize the posts by thread showing the most recent thread contributions, rather than individual in sequence posts. Then, drop downs for each thread contribution showing the posts; finally, drop downs showing specific replies to those posts.
Facebook Stalker Button
So...
If you've allowed for an open account, and friended everyone who asks for it... how can watching your status be stalking?
If you didn't friend a person, but they continue to watch your page, on an open forum...how is that stalking? I mean, if I routinely sit on my front porch, which has a direct view of your living room window, and you don't have any curtains...am I a Peeping Tom when you saunter naked across the room? Am I a digital stalker because I routinely visit your unprotected public facebook page?
Mind you, I cancelled my account some time ago...
After several years hiatus, I've finally found myself in a position to start a gaming group. We've enjoyed three sessions so far, all the players are having fun, I'm having fun, and things look to be shaping up nicely.
Then, yesterday, one of my players lays this one on me:
As a child he lived with an emotionally abusive mother who was also clinically depressed. Apparently, his situation was so bad that he became suicidal, almost reaching commitment on several occasions. Once he graduated high school and moved out of the house, that is, changed his environment, his entire outlook on life changed. After college, he moved back home for some time and found himself right back where he was as a teenager--actually suicidal. Fortunately, he recognized what was happening, and that's when he joined the army. This was all a good fifteen years ago, and he's lived a healthy, productive life since, with nary a depressed thought.
Last year, he got married. He has enjoyed a full year of happy marriage and they've just had their first child. His wife is now suffering from Postpartum Depression and is on medication. He's having a tough time, though, getting her to regularly take her meds. According to him, she's the woman he married when she's taking her prescription, but if she skips for two or three days, her mood immediately darkens.
Here's the crux--he's beginning to notice signs of the old depression in himself and he's worried he won't be able to hold it in check.
I told him to make an appointment for himself, but he's of the belief he can manage himself so long as his wife manages her meds.
I have absolutely no experience with this sort of thing. I've dealt with depressed subordinates before, but never with peers, and certainly never with this kind of situation.
Suggestions?
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