humour

In a somewhat less subculture-savvy move, an Internet service provider in Gothenburg has chosen to call itself GothNet. Nothing on their web site suggests that they have any inkling what "Goth" means to most English-speaking people today. The etymology is complicated. First there was a bunch of Germanic-speaking tribal groups in the 1st Millennium AD: Goths, Götar, Geatas, Gutar, all with names meaning "spillers", that is, "ejaculators", that is, "men". Then during the Renaissance the High Medieval building style with the pointy arches got called "Gothic" as a put-down. (Then Gothenburg-Gö…

My friend Tor reports, "Complete Heyting algebras are a central object of study in pointless topology".

Stacy L. Mason is an Aard regular and a talented artist. Check out his awesome interpretation of the Swedish tardigrades that are going to Phobos! In other news, I have issues with the lyrics of the Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas podcast's theme song, a fine ska tune by 7 Seconds of Love. I'm gonna flip out like a ninja 'Cause that's what ninjas do I'm gonna flip out like a ninja And you should flip out too The thing that throws me here is the word "because". When deciding on important matters such as whether or not to flip out, Dear Reader, I feel that a person should have a stronger justification…

Offered in the spirit of off topic friday funnies: Have a good weekend!

Thanks to Felicia for the tip-off.

I really like the spam letters I get with the subject line "Hello Dear". Sometimes the spammer is even named Hello Dear. Here's the latest example. Hello dear how are you today i hope that every things is OK with you as is my pleasure to contact you after viewing your profile which really interest me in having communication with you if you will have the desire with me so that we can get to know each other better and see what happened in future. i will be very happy if you can write me back for easiest communication and to know more about each other.i will send you my picture when i receive…

I'm finishing writing a book and you guys will have the opportunity to review the manuscript some time towards late summer. The working title is Mead-halls of the Eastern Geats. Elite Settlements and Political Geography AD 375-1000 in Ãstergötland, Sweden. The title alludes to the Old English epic poem about Beowulf. Set mainly in 6th century Denmark, it is all about the petty kings of the time whose political life was centred upon the feasting hall. That's where raids were planned, guests entertained, loot from raids shared out, religious rituals performed, epic poetry about raids listened…

From 1980, a television appearance by the brilliant Tom Lehrer, where he performs a song that never made it onto any of his records back in the day. (I hear it's on the CD re-issue, though.) Via David Nessle.

A lesson in Swedish from the mall at Sickla. Last = noun from the verb lasta, "to load". In = in Fart = noun from the verb fara, "to travel", cf. "wayfarer" and "fare thee well". Load-in-travel. Delivery entrance.

Ok, so I have to do it, I`m adding Denial Depot to my blogroll in a new section, _The lighter side of catastrophe_. I know I will probably regret it, but I just can`t help having a little fun while I`m over there.....

Okay, so this is way off the general climate topic, but I really got a kick out of this article from Bill Maher published in the LA Times. If Al Franken can be a senator, why can`t Bill Maher be an LA Times columnist? Here are a few notable quotables: The governor of Texas, Rick Perry, is not afraid to say publicly that thinking out loud about Texas seceding from the Union is appropriate considering that ... Obama wants to raise taxes 3% on 5% of the people? I'm not sure exactly what Perry's independent nation would look like, but I'm pretty sure it would be free of taxes and Planned…

Now this is good stuff! A big thanks to Eli Rabett for finding this site! Here are a few favorite highlights: Why are the so-called experts silent about all the snow that is everywhere? Well it's most likely because they are all shut indoors all day with their climate models. That's right, they are so busy playing Climate Tron that they haven't the foggiest idea what is going on outside anymore. They don't see the REAL world that REAL people like you and me see When so-called "experts" in their "peer reviewed journals" say one thing, we dare the impossible and find imaginative ways to believe…

This clumsy photoshop job over at Pharyngula puts me in mind of one of my favorite blogs, Photoshop Disasters. Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for the hours of time you will waste over there.

I'm sure most of us remember how incoherent Sarah Palin was about climate change (well, okay, about most things), but John Boehner seems to have his sights set on out doing the master! In an interview with George Stephanopoulos (partial transcript here) his mangling of anything even remotely resembling an intelligent thought is really quite astounding! His answer to climate change incredibly includes: we need American-made oil and gas Because foreign CO2 has such a higher greenhouse potential than good ol' American CO2. Boehner offers this boner about the recent EPA ruling: the idea that…

Giant Razor Clawed Crabs pose no threat, experts say At least I thought it was funny.

Homer style, that is! (h/t to The Intersection)

ARKHAM, MA--Arguing that students should return to the fundamentals taught in the Pnakotic Manuscripts and the Necronomicon in order to develop the skills they need to be driven to the very edge of sanity, Arkham school board member Charles West continued to advance his pro-madness agenda at the district's monthly meeting Tuesday. "Fools!" said West, his clenched fist striking the lectern before him. "We must prepare today's youth for a world whose terrors are etched upon ancient clay tablets recounting the fever-dreams of the other gods--not fill their heads with such trivia as math and…

I know this video is for real because since I first saw it several years ago it has been erased from YouTube at the request of the Japanese television company that produced it. Being real does not stop it from also being surreal to the extreme! See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Today's Dilbert suggests that today's generation may not escape the wrath of those coming next for the sorry mess we are leaving behind: Well played indeed!

With thanks to Dear Reader Shelley, here's a 1969 French cover version of the Muppets' famed song: "Mais non, mais non", as written and sung by Henri Salvador.