Monthly Archives: August 2012

City Sights: the Seal Beach Administration Building

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Designed by Gordon F. Powers in 1969. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was thankfully not taken in by Brutalism. Compare to Boston City Hall at the Wikipedia link, also built in 1969. Which would you rather work … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Black Swan and the Expert Problem

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Dear Sir Barken Hyena, For me, The Black Swan was a primer on skeptical empiricism. It gives the reader the intellectual tools to question and doubt experts. As you said, technocratic solutions have wreaked incredible havoc over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Mark Knopfler’s “Golden Heart”

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Can’t resist passing along this Mark Knopfler song that I just ran across. You’ll have to click through the embed to watch and listen to it on YouTube. It’s worth the effort: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVGumxRz3Oo Such an evocative murky/clear, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Performers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Policy-Tinged Appreciation of The Wire

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The Wire is, by a wide margin, my favorite television show ever. Or, to put it in the currently fashionable way: my favorite. television. show. ever. Over at The National Interest, Francis Fukuyama writes a very nice appreciation … Continue reading →

Posted in Television | Tagged | 1 Comment

Question Lady Question

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Question Lady

The Question Lady writes: Where do you go for your news?

Posted in Personal reflections | 3 Comments

Arbor Gates, The Saga Continues

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: The estimable Blowhard, Esq. and I are involved in a quest to direct the attention of architecture fans (and potential architecture fans) to the modest pleasures of what are called “arbor gates” — trellised, usually overgrown, garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photography, The Good Life | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Old California Cars 2: A Sweet VW

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: I’m still in California, and I continue to get a lot of pleasure out of the well-preserved old cars that abound out here. Back in the northeast, it’d be a rare treat to run across something like … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial art, Photography | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Curiosity is one of the lowest of the human faculties. You will have noticed in daily life that when people are inquisitive they nearly always have bad memories and are usually stupid at bottom. The man who … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged , | 5 Comments

What do you look for in a short story?

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Brundle Guy

Brundle Guy writes: A couple of months ago a good friend of my family’s passed away. I helped partake in a search through her house for her will, and while we didn’t find the legal papers in question, I did … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Personal reflections | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Psst . . . . Wanna Buy a Stinkin’ Badge?

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Sir Barken Hyena’s post on the subject of a video game company hiring without need for candidates to provide resumes is suggestive of some broader themes at play (or at work?) in the world of credentialing. Credentials come … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 5 Comments