May 07, 2004

"Benevolence Survives Over Malevolence" An article title that almost has nothing to do with the content. Anyway... Stemming from NASA's Astrobiology Magazine, a little informal sociological analisis correlating social alienation with prejudices against aliens. But beware confirmation bias.
posted by Zemat 19 years ago
  • Interesting. [You know, I just don't trust that Zemat guy...]
  • In my office, somebody once noticed movement on top of a new building across the river. Nobody could quite make it out, but there were various theories - some thought there had been an accident, some thought it was just the builders doing their stuff, others thought it was some kind of inspection. I thought it was a "topping-out" party. When I went over to check it proved to be plastic sheet flapping in the wind. Maybe this explains why I expect aliens to be friendly, benevolent, and bring a bottle.
  • psst... what is a "topping out" party?
  • It's when they celebrate finishing a building. Here's one at Jodrell Bank, where they had a golden screw. (No jokes, please)
  • [You know, I just don't trust that Zemat guy...] *Quietly approaches Wedge from behind, gives him a karate chop, ties him up and throws him into the janitor's closet.* Now no one suspects me...
  • /slinks_quietly_out_the_side_door