Sunday, 26th of October, 2008

I haven’t seen the original beer ad, but this is beautiful stuff. OK, hadn’t seen, you can find it on YouTube. Nicely re-oriented here…

Thursday, 23rd of October, 2008

While we’re on the topic of god-stuff, here’s Terry Pratchett on religion in a beautiful article for the bloody Daily Mail, who screw up with a (deliberately?) rather misleading title. Read the whole thing to see why.

I recently finished the latest Pratchett, a non-Discworld YA novel called Nation that was an absolute delight - although some of it isn’t that delightful. A cleverly-crafted examination of how people respond to a great calamity, it takes in faith and the loss thereof, the discovery of science and scientific principles, colonialism and more. It’s wonderfully egalitarian, having as its protagonists a young Islander boy and a precocious young girl from quasi-Victorian times. Highly recommended.

Now reading Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, which is a satisfyingly solid tome - over 900 pages, but entirely engrossing. The usual Stephensonian stuff-that-annoys-me annoys me, but that’s ok in a philosophical book like this. And the trade paperback we have in Australia (the UK edition) has a lovely cover and holds together, as I said, as a good solid lump of readin’ matter. Spread it open, other than right near the start or end, and it stays open. Nice one, Atlantic Books!

Palin places US election in God’s hands.

I look forward to hearing them admit that God did in fact intend for Obama to be President.

[Added later:] Meanwhile, here’s Colbert:

Thursday, 9th of October, 2008

I mean, I love Severed Heads. Have for decades.

But did you know Thomas Temple Ellard has a blog? And it’s hilarious?
For instance, Spare me the fluffing. I don’t agree with it all, but who cares? It’s awesome.