Years from now, when archeologists look back on our civilization, many will turn to this as the sign of its impending doom.

Amanda finally sees what we’ve all known about her cat for a long time

Have they FOUND the guy who tried to rape his sister?

I just stumbled across this last night. It’s Jason Robert Brown (one of the best modern songwriters/composers alive) actually engaging with people pirating his music online. He manages to keep himself composed and offer some pretty good rebuttals to her points. My one objection is his screwdriver analogy; it’s not really an apt comparison, as with taking intellectual property, the original owner doesn’t lose the ability to enjoy/use it. That said, there is still the issue of losing livelihood, which I think is the bigger issue.

Reading this did give me pause; who among us hasn’t Torrented music or movies or documents? I don’t know about you, but I can’t come up with a good justification for doing it that ISNT illegal. I’d be interested to know any of your thoughts.

Seriously, does anyone else get weirded out by his creepy, almost silver eyes glaring at them from the top of the Wikipedia homepage now, imploring me to donate “just a little more”? I don’t know about you, but when I’m trying to look up McMurray’s test, the last thing I need is to see is his oddly calm features watching, waiting, judging me.

Of course, this is all secondary to the bigger issue of WHAT the banner ad is asking for. Jimmy is, surprisingly, a Objectivist. That’s was actually his impetus for starting Wikipedia - to have the knowledge of human wealth spread out in an easily accessible format, not in the hands of ‘experts’. I say that he is surprisingly an Objectivist because, as I see it, Wikipedia’s fundraising is the opposite of Objectivism’s stated aims.

Think about it: according to his philosophy, his talents/services/products should rise to the top without external (governing or charitable) modulation. But by asking for charity, isn’t he laughing in the face of this idea. Sure, you could argue this is a “fee” in that his website provides a service to the internet, and he is merely asking for his proper compensation, but if that were the case, wouldn’t he be better off just running advertisements on his website (and don’t give me the “it would make it less attractive” argument, because look at how much Facebook “suffered” when it introduced advertisements, ones which even took your personal information and used it against you)? By essentially going out, hat in hand, is he not admitting, either implicitly or explicitly, that maybe his business model is unsustainable without relying on handouts?

Maybe I’m just looking to criticize Objectivism (and Ayn Rand) too hard. Chime in and let me know what you think.

Had an interesting time with the Canadian Blood Services people last night.

For those who are unfamiliar, the second you donate blood, your phone number will go on a calling list. Like a nagging mother, if you don’t come back and visit the blood drives soon enough, they’ll call you and nag you to come visit (“You never come see me anymore, and after all the transfusions I gave your uncle during his bowel surgery!”) I don’t really mind the calls - after all, I’m pretty keen on donating - but since I have traveled to Uganda, I’m ineligible to donate for a year (for fear that my blood is secretly harboring Malaria!!!1!)

Anyhow, around 11 oclock last night, I get a call from the CBS. This is after telling a public health nurse AND an administrator my story at the last clinic at Mac. Figuring I’d stand a better chance of shutting them up via the phone, I pick up. What follows is one of the most bizarre odysseys I’ve ever experienced on the phone:

Me: Hello?

Man (sounding like the “NYESSSSSS” guy from the Simpsons): HELOOOOO. CAN I PLEASE SPEAK TO (deep voice) MICHAEL HERMAN

Me (thinking it’s a machine): Um, yes, speaking.

Man: HELLO MICHAEL. I’M ROBERT FROM CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TELL YOU THIS CONVERSATION IS BEING RECORDED FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE PURPOSES. *Pause where I think I’m supposed to answer, but before I can get a word in-* IM CALLING TO TELL YOU ABOUT… (launches into shpeil about upcoming clinic at Mac) SO WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED?

Me: Well, yes, but-

Man: WELL OKAY THEN, WHEN SHOULD I SIGN YOU UP FOR

Me: Well, that’s just it. I’ve been in Uganda this past summer, so I’m ineligible to donate.

Man: OH. YES, THAT *cough* that IS A PROBLEM (note: this is the first time I’ve heard him stop midsentence or give me any indication he’s not a robot). LET ME TRANSFER YOU TO A NURSE.

(While the transfer is going through, two thoughts cross my mind. The first is on how weird that guy sounded. The second is why on Earth CBS would have a nurse on call at 11 in the evening on a Sunday, when NO clinic is open? No wonder they’re losing so much money)

Nurse: Hello, CBS, can I please have your donor card or your last name.

Me: er..Herman

Nurse: And your date of birth?

Me: *gives DOB*

Nurse: Hm…do you have a twin brother?

Me: No

Nurse: Well, that’s strange. We have two Michael Herman’s on file with the same birthday.

Me: Really?! Cool. Is he near me?

Nurse: (Ignoring my question) What’s your address

Me: *Gives Address* But seriously? There are two Michael Herman’s born on the same day in Canada?

Nurse: Ah, Mr. Herman, here is your info *proceeds with the rest of the conversation*

Nothing else remarkable happened during the conversation, but again I am left with two thoughts. There is a doppleganger of me running around Canada somewhere, with the same birthday as me. I must find this man. And secondly, why did the nurse think my twin would have the same name as me?