An Italian institution that is unique among the people of Earth. Fare una brutta figura – (literally “to make an ugly figure”) is best translated by the English phrase “to cut a bad image” in public, or perhaps being “caught with your pants down“. Every Italian lives in mortal fear of this terrible social stigma, …
Author archives: HM
Murphy’s Law, Entropy, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Only entropy comes easy – Anton Chekov In a quaint BBC Radio 4 short, comedian Robin Ince (co-presenter Infinite Monkey Cage) provides an entertaining insight into Murphy’s Law. After a review of Murphy’s Law (and a brief mention of Sod and his law), Ince tells of an equation that purportedly actually computes the probability of …
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George Floyd: a leisurely murder
Save for the humanity of passers by and their smartphones, George Floyd’s murder would have been filed away as just one more routine, run-of-the-mill police incident that ended in a “tragic” death. The horror in the murder of George Floyd does not stop at the killing of an unarmed man who at most, possibly, may …
Thoughts Not Beliefs
I am prepared to be shown where I am mistaken and made aware of where I may perhaps be prejudice even without intending, or simply ignorant of facts. I enthusiastically invite correction if it is to advance an honest argument in good faith. But please do so only if your reasons are genuine and not …
How Planets Tell You Something Is Wrong
The short answer is they kill you. Read on to see what form this justified homicide might take. The re-emergence of birdsong and other long forgotten natural phenomena are Nature’s Final Wakeup This morning the sun shone in a crisp, clear sky and the birds sang in a near total coronasilence. As they twittered, I …
Fear of the Doctor
After setting up a place where stray thoughts can be collected and contemplated, they have all of a sudden vanished. Therefore the secret to vibrant contemplation is never to try and write it down. Just as the secret to good health is to always consult your doctor.
Don’t Run for the Trees
By guest blogger Mr Peev Edoff Il Lungomare Trieste è una dei grandi attrazioni di Salerno. Sia per i Salernitani e per i visitatore. Naturalmente, se si vuole sperimentare il piacere del lungomare si deve camminare lungo di essa. Ecco il problema. Durante il giorno c’è il sole – naturalmente. E durante l’estate il sole …
Tre Italia, Ancora Bravissimi
In seguito alla drama di 22 Aprile (scritto giu’), ho chiamtao Tre al loro numero verde per assisstenza clienti internet, per riportare che il numero fax non funzione. Mi hanno detto di chiamare 133 da un telefonino Tre. “Non tengo il sim per telefonino”, ho spiagato alla raggazza, “solo tengo quelo per internet. Quindi non …
Tre Italia Bravissimi!
Tre mi hanno fatto ancora piacere. Questa volta hanno mandato un link tramite sms per aggiungere dettagli carta di cedito. Ovviamente, il link NON FUNZIONE! http://portale3.tre.it/133/op/id/485 Bravo Tre. Ho Telefonato customer service. Mi hano datto un numero fax e…il numero no funzione!! Bravo to all the idioti at Tre Italia! Another waste of time.
Two words about The Cilento
Many of the villages of the Cilento are dying. Most have elderly populations that are not being replenished, because young people have moved and are still moving away to cities. Certainly the world will not be much different if these villages eventually die out. But it could be different if they live. A way of life …