Wow; I don't know where to start.
Random thoughts:
It speaks more to the consevative mindset than to the quality of the books included that anyone would even consider such a list.
They included the 19th century just so Marx would be included; Nietzsche and Darwin were just bonuses.
If any books deserve to be on such a list, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and The Turner Diaries have certainly inspired more than enough assholes to be included.
Don't these nimrods know that you always count down a list like this? If you start right out with #1, where's the suspense.
Bugaboo? My baby wants a StokkeXplory!
Seriously, the worst, and unfortunately most successful marketing to new parents has been formula over good old-fashioned breast milk.
And that mucus trap is available right here in the USA.
The only problem with using "my gramma is 125 years old" to taunt other children is that her grandchildren should be at least 50-75 years old; I guess you could use it at the nursing home, though.
There have been pretty reasonable limits for work hours in the US since 2003; the current state of things is pretty well summed up here. This is a far cry from my internship in the late 80's, when there were no restrictions. A bigger concern to me (and one that I never see addressed) is that these hours do not apply to physicians once they are out of training.
Also, I see no point in trying to schedule surgery for a Monday AM. At our hospital, Mondays can be pretty chaotic; equipment gets used during the weekend and not replaced, people may have been called in for emergencies, and so on. The best thing is to let your surgeon know you will be understanding if your surgery is postponed because he is tired, sick, or otherwise not at his best (and all of this applies even more so to anesthesiologists).
I miss him too; I am just now finishing the new biography that was discussed here a few weeks ago (but I am too lazy to find the link). Any time I find a new interview/article/book it is like he is still around, though. It is amazing/depressing how his riffs on politics and religion are still relevant today (the same applies to Bill Hicks)
On a more topical note, that review does fall short of Ms. Paglia's usual standards. It seems like little more than a synopsis of the book. I do look forward to the book though; thanks for bringing it to our attention
For an impressive idea of just how bad Verdun was, check out the DouaumontOssuary. Other than to point out that we Americans waited until 1918 to say "Lafayette, we are here," I will let this speak for itself.
I have read a number of these and while they are almost all very good, I would have to say "induce a mindfuck" is an overstatement. The best are the nonfiction ones, as they have something to say about the real world; Richard Dawkins is a good example. Stephen Jay Gould should have been included, as well as Darwin (one of the biggest mindfucks ever, and one that large segments of the population are still trying to resist). In the same vein, I think that SF is appropriately represented on the list, as it often deals with difficult questions raised by man's advancing technology and knowledge. Harlan Ellison would be a good addition for that reason.
Others on my personal list would be John Kennedy Toole'sConfederacy of Dunces and Upton Sinclair'sThe Jungle.
Books are good.
While jjray has a point about not overreacting to this problem, it is true that more and more community acquired infections are due to drug-resistant bacteria, and some of theses can be quite serious. Overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics is almost certainly to blame, and it is very difficult to limit the use of these drugs. They are overprescribed in this country because patients want a quick fix and it is easier to write a prescription than to explain that an antibiotic is often unneccessary. The use of antibiotics in livestock feed adds to the problem, and finally, in many countries, antibiotics are sold over the counter which leads to inappropriate and unneccessary use. This is a problem that is going to get worse before it gets better, and although MRSA gets most of the press, drug resistant tuberculosis and other infections are much more troubling and are also becoming more common.
I'm here, but have no idea what number to put down
posted by TedW 18 years ago
In "The Ten Most Harmful Books"
Wow; I don't know where to start. Random thoughts: It speaks more to the consevative mindset than to the quality of the books included that anyone would even consider such a list. They included the 19th century just so Marx would be included; Nietzsche and Darwin were just bonuses. If any books deserve to be on such a list, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and The Turner Diaries have certainly inspired more than enough assholes to be included. Don't these nimrods know that you always count down a list like this? If you start right out with #1, where's the suspense.
posted by TedW 18 years ago
In "Storage. "
I suspect it is overpriced everywhere
posted by TedW 19 years ago
Bugaboo? My baby wants a Stokke Xplory! Seriously, the worst, and unfortunately most successful marketing to new parents has been formula over good old-fashioned breast milk. And that mucus trap is available right here in the USA.
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In ""my gramma is 125 years old!"
The only problem with using "my gramma is 125 years old" to taunt other children is that her grandchildren should be at least 50-75 years old; I guess you could use it at the nursing home, though.
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "A study finds that sleepy doctors-in-training are as dangerous on the road as drunk drivers."
There have been pretty reasonable limits for work hours in the US since 2003; the current state of things is pretty well summed up here. This is a far cry from my internship in the late 80's, when there were no restrictions. A bigger concern to me (and one that I never see addressed) is that these hours do not apply to physicians once they are out of training. Also, I see no point in trying to schedule surgery for a Monday AM. At our hospital, Mondays can be pretty chaotic; equipment gets used during the weekend and not replaced, people may have been called in for emergencies, and so on. The best thing is to let your surgeon know you will be understanding if your surgery is postponed because he is tired, sick, or otherwise not at his best (and all of this applies even more so to anesthesiologists).
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "Frank Zappa references on Mystery Science Theater 3000"
I miss him too; I am just now finishing the new biography that was discussed here a few weeks ago (but I am too lazy to find the link). Any time I find a new interview/article/book it is like he is still around, though. It is amazing/depressing how his riffs on politics and religion are still relevant today (the same applies to Bill Hicks)
posted by TedW 19 years ago
most excellent post; see also this mefi post. Great googly moogly!
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "'Zappa': Freak Out!"
On a more topical note, that review does fall short of Ms. Paglia's usual standards. It seems like little more than a synopsis of the book. I do look forward to the book though; thanks for bringing it to our attention
posted by TedW 19 years ago
Is this a real comment or a Sears comment?
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "It's a guy thing."
I wander what Mrs. Bishop's husband thinks of all this?
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "Bob Dylan news and views."
Wanna buy some mandies, Bob? Don't go flakin' on us, now
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "The War Nerd defends the French."
For an impressive idea of just how bad Verdun was, check out the Douaumont Ossuary. Other than to point out that we Americans waited until 1918 to say "Lafayette, we are here," I will let this speak for itself.
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "Indelicately titled "Books that will induce a mindf**k""
I have read a number of these and while they are almost all very good, I would have to say "induce a mindfuck" is an overstatement. The best are the nonfiction ones, as they have something to say about the real world; Richard Dawkins is a good example. Stephen Jay Gould should have been included, as well as Darwin (one of the biggest mindfucks ever, and one that large segments of the population are still trying to resist). In the same vein, I think that SF is appropriately represented on the list, as it often deals with difficult questions raised by man's advancing technology and knowledge. Harlan Ellison would be a good addition for that reason. Others on my personal list would be John Kennedy Toole's Confederacy of Dunces and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Books are good.
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "Strap this baby"
The True Story of the Rocket Car
posted by TedW 19 years ago
In "Killer Staph Is Hitting The Streets."
While jjray has a point about not overreacting to this problem, it is true that more and more community acquired infections are due to drug-resistant bacteria, and some of theses can be quite serious. Overuse and inappropriate use of antibiotics is almost certainly to blame, and it is very difficult to limit the use of these drugs. They are overprescribed in this country because patients want a quick fix and it is easier to write a prescription than to explain that an antibiotic is often unneccessary. The use of antibiotics in livestock feed adds to the problem, and finally, in many countries, antibiotics are sold over the counter which leads to inappropriate and unneccessary use. This is a problem that is going to get worse before it gets better, and although MRSA gets most of the press, drug resistant tuberculosis and other infections are much more troubling and are also becoming more common.
posted by TedW 20 years ago
In ""
I have always wanted to visit the M
posted by TedW 20 years ago
In " Greater and greater numbers of scientists are joining the ID movement, which is why we keep referring to the same three year after year."
No thread on this topic would be complete without mentioning Unintelligent Design.
posted by TedW 20 years ago
(limited to the most recent 20 comments)