Dick Cheney's Google Searches
1.02.2007
Vanity Fair shows Dick's Cheney's google searches in this concise satire:
triglyceride onion rings cholesterol
HDL "good cholesterol"
HDL fried onion rings
HDL freedom fries
osama bin laden pakistan
osama panama
osama yucatan
Google Maps: tora bora
Google Maps: cheney house
Google Maps: cheney maryland
birdshot pellet removal
quail hunting "involuntary manslaughter"
hunting accident manslaughter
hunting accident manslaughter pleas
firearms disposal
smoking gun
smoking gun mushroom cloud
hot lesbos vinyl black boots
Complete list in this link.
Labels: Google, Technology, US Politics
posted by Jdavies @ 1/02/2007,
,
Google Spreadsheet
6.07.2006
I've been invited to test the new Google Spreadsheet (spreadsheets.google.com)
and here are some thoughts:
1. Still too slow for people who are used to numbers
2. Even saving is a pain, VERY SLOW!
3. The interface is not yet user-friendly
4. Collaboration is a good idea; but what if the same field is being modified?
5. Will there be facility to export
6. Where will Google put the ads?
7. The formulas are very recognizable, but the computation takes forever
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 6/07/2006,
,
Using Dashboard Widgets
6.04.2006
I found a utility that helps me post from the mac dashboard directly to blogger. Apparently an old one created by the google guys. Good one for the mac/bloggers out there... if theres a lot of us :P
One mouse gesture and I'm posting. It's called Blogger 1.0. Via mac.softpedia.com. Check it out...
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 6/04/2006,
,
Google Trends 3
5.12.2006
More on google trends searches. This is the Da Vinci Code vs the Church battle...
Let's see who wins:
Vatican vs Dan Brown - Who's leading in searches?
Catholic Church vs Dan Brown - Relax, the lead is pretty far. Save perhaps for this:
Opus Dei vs Dan Brown - Notice that the trendline are almost the same. In effect, both keywords ride on each other. Not exactly a bad thing for Opus Dei web placement.
Verdict? Looks like both sides got the good returns in volumes. How one translate
this interest is only a matter of marketing and PR. Could the Church translate the huge volumes
in convertions. In the same way, how many of this search volume will translate into book sales, or movie tickets. Other companies like National Geographic and Discovery have taken advantage of this curiousity about early Christianity with the launch of their Da Vinci Code-themed investigations.
Labels: Business, Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
,
Google Trends II
More on my previous post.
Google launched yesterday Google Trends , a search tool that allows users to sort through several years of global Google search queries from around the world to "get a general idea of everything from user preferences on ice-cream flavors to the relative popularity of politicians in their respective cities or countries" . (dslreports.com)
This is the latest seo and marketing tool post that would probably rank higher than my Pepsi, or backyard Pepsi factory post. Interesting how this trend tool by google answers the question: who owns my searches. Remember that when google launched personalized searching, and saves user behavior and searches, the privacy issue was raised. We own rights to our own search histories and that must be downloadable.
With this trend search tool, users worldwide have access to the total search volume. Now this no longer becomes a privacy issue, but a sociology question. How much does google know of the users worldwide? We could only assume "alot".
Armed with all these information, we have to expect google to continue being that top company that it is. Just make sure they will not be evil. Of course, that's what they say.
Can this tool be used for brand comparisons? Let's see. Here are some interesting "google trends" comparisons:
Coke vs. Pepsi - Global. Notice the difference per country and per city.Something useless:
Coke vs. Pepsi - Coke vs Pepsi in the Philippines
Windows vs. Mac - Notice the difference between news referrence and actual search volume.Is it largely marketing hype? Try Windows vs Linux.
Democrats vs Republicans - I wonder if they are searching for each other.
Star Trek vs Star Wars - Top searches from Hrvatska, Croatia? Must be the Rebel Alliance home base.
Xbox 360 vs Ps3 - Similar curve for News Release and search volume is evident with Xbox. One could only surmise the search volumes are direct results of the online press release. Expect the marketing war via news release battles for both brands. Will Ps3 use the same online marketing strategy?
Yahoo vs Google - Could it be because users are in google already and will therefore not seach for "google" anymore? Note that Google is all over the news vs Yahoo!
Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan - Oh the controversial blond bond!
Car vs Automobile - Do users prefer one term over another?
A,E,I,O,U - Who's the most famous vowel? A & I of course have an edge as they are actual words. Why is the letter "e" famous in brazil? Must be the Portuguese content in the web.
Labels: Business, Google, Local, Philippines, Politics, Technology, US Politics
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
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Google Trends
Got a new online tool thats bound to help marketing people and SEO experts. From dslreports.com:
The folks at Google yesterday held a press day, and unveiled a slew of new search tools, explored in detail over at the Google Blog. Among them was Google Trends, a search tool that allows users to sort through several years of global Google search queries from around the world to "get a general idea of everything from user preferences on ice-cream flavors to the relative popularity of politicians in their respective cities or countries" . Some interesting comparisons:
Ateneo vs. La Salle (Philippines) - Who's leading in our favorite local school rivalry?
Spurs vs Pistons (Global) - Will they meet again in the 2006 NBA Finals?
Friendster vs MySpace (Global) - More popular or just, more searches?
Friendster vs MySpace (Philippines) - Compare that versus other countries, and Marketing executives are sure to choose one over the other.
Smart, Globe, Sun - Notice the difference in ranking under Tagalog vs English searches.
Labels: Business, Google, Local, Philippines, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/12/2006,
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Cyber Attacks on Blogs
5.03.2006
Michelle Malkin reports on cyber attacks on blogs, earlier posted on other blogs.
Most are quick to point at Islamic groups for the site defacement and online grafitti
that shut down 'over a 100 blogs'. Malkin calls them "cyberjihadists". To quote:
For the record: I do not approve of the cartoon Aaron posted that prompted the Saudi-based attacks, but every blogger in the 'sphere worth their bandwidth should vigorously defend his freedom to criticize, ridicule, and challenge the jihadis. If we let a few anonymous Muslim computer thugs dictate what one blogger can say about Mohammed or Islam, who's next?
Note to readers and a reminder to M.Malkin: just because one sees Islamic scribbles, can anyone effectively conclude that it means Muslims created it? I would suggest prudence in posting such a delicate news. Any one can easily point a finger at Mohammed, but hey, does Mohammed do everything? I do not intend to point at someone else. Rather, I wish that more popular bloggers be more responsible with their quotes, lest be attacked by journalists yet again for the raw and biased information.
Post some evidence first. Anybody can write in Arabic if you give them Google. We must be more sensitive to other cultures and always think outside the stereotypes.
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/03/2006,
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MIcrosoft Re-designs the Ipod
3.20.2006
Check this satire of Microsoft if it would have to redesign the Ipod. Video link here
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 3/20/2006,
,
The Great Raid
8.12.2005
My girlfriend and I will watch The Great Raid this weekend. We might try to catch Crash as well if time permits. And if time will still allow, a DVD of The Merchant of Venice (with Robert de Niro) will definitely be in our itineraryThe reviews are really great for the film and the war movie fanatic in me is begging for me to watch it.
Try reading the IMDB user comments and find out for yourself the many good reviews of users who have seen this film before. We're watching this movie not about Cesar Montano, Bembol Roco, Rez Cortes alone --- nor the good reviews from foreigners. It's because this is about us Filipinos and Americans in a time when we are fighting a legitimate war together. Hollywood has devoted so much on the European Theatre of WWII and people forget that World War II is not about the Nazi's alone --- not Europe. We had our fair share of atrocities, and mangled bodies, and raped women, and massacred children.
War should only exist in the movies and that is why war movies deserve to be seen...
Photos courtesy of IMDB.
*** Update: Even the Great Roger Ebert has good words for this movie! Read it here. Go and google it and you will find more good reviews. Spread the word. Preview's here.
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 8/12/2005,
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Rare Mistake from Google News
8.08.2005
Yup you read that right, instead of Sony, Google news erroneously displyed as "Sonly" a CNET article about the well-known Japanese company.I am not aware if the error came from google themselves or in some crank in the system. The CNET link display the correct (or corrected version) as of my last check.
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 8/08/2005,
,
I'm rich, I won the lottery
5.23.2005
I got an email telling I won the lottery (yet again). In fact I won yesterday, too... I must be a really lucky guy, or at least someone worth spamming!
Damn you all spammers... I'm posting your email as revenge! Spambots... see that email below? SPAM THAT! Send that email all the email you want till he wins the lottery... I'm too lucky to win everytime. Why not make them win this time? I'm rich enough to win yet again...
GLOBAL WINNING INTERNATIONAL EMAIL LOTTERY,
LUSDEN 754, ALMERLSFOORT THE- NETHERLANDS
REF NUMBER: IDEL8L/I/8IDL101
BATCH NUMBER: (22)(25)(01)(71)(44)
SECURITY FILE NUMBER:IDELI(00)(88)/04DHK)
REPLY EMAIL: globalwinsnld@veryspeedy.net
REPLY EMAIL: globalwins101098@zensearch.com
CALL TEL/FAX :+ 31847536947
Dear Winner (I guess this means me!)
We are pleased to inform you about the result of the Global
International Email Lottery programs held on the 14th of February 2005 as part of Valentine package organise by Global Challenges worldwide in celebration of world global humanity awareness.The Contest pick your e-mail address attached to ticket number IDLI/00/(20)(98)(43)(51)(04) with serial number(22)(00)(14)(31)and lucky numbers (20)(01)(30)(09)(36)(34)which consequently won in the (B2 category, you have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of US$ 600,000.00 (Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) CONGRATULATIONS!!! Yeah Whatever!
Due to mix up of some numbers and name's we ask that you keep your winning information confidential until your claims has been processed and your money Remitted to you. This is part of our security protocol to avoidd ouble claiming and unwarranted abuse of this program by some participants. Hahahahah What a lame story! Can't you think of something more creative than this???
All participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from over 30,000 company and 30,000 individual
email addresses and names from all over the world. This promotional program takes place every Six Months. OK you got me so I'm sending you my credit card number... what else do you need... --NOT!Congratulations once more from our members of staff and thank you for being part of our promotional program.Reply with your full name,complete home address and telephone/fax number - Hahahaha They want me to send them more emails and contact info so they can send me more shitloads of Spam.
Warning:
If one confirms even just by replying to the spam mail, that would confirm that there is a LIVE, HUMAN user from your end. This means more spam will come your way!
Mass Mailing Programs or BULK MAILERS send emails to a set of variables and random names, and play the sending by chance to get to your inbox. Random_name@yahoo.com, for instance, or A????@ho?????.com for instance could be sent to aaron@hotmail.com, or a111N@hostile.com, anne1@hotmaiol.com, etc.
This shotgun technique sniffs additional information either by virus or classic tests like the lottery tests. Once your reply is received from the Spammer's server,
the text in your reply is scanned for keywords that will Confirm either a live human, or a more sophisticated categorization of what type of spam you'll get the next time around...Making You MORE Vulnerable!
For instance, replying with financial questions may mean you are interested in Mortgage Spam, and credit Card offers...
Spam was here since the Fax machine was invented, it just got a hipper name.
Sucks huh? Burn them all... Burn --- seems the only way out. Or protect yourself by anonymous browsing and similar security programs. Google for the free ones, make sure it's not spyware!
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/23/2005,
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Want to Help Google Translate?
2.28.2005
With all their money and resources why would anyone want to help Google translate?
This past weekend was a day extra with the EDSA Holiday set on the 25th. With too much time on my hands, and a cancelled Basketball game on my calendar, I had no recourse but to choose between the Playstation, (Say, play the Nietzsche-inspired, Xenosaga) or go online, surf, blog, and read poetry... I was pretty much decided on just using the Playstation but had a change of heart when I got the itch to check my email.
Then somehow in my online journey I saw these words: Want to Help Google Translate?. Interesting, huh? Surprisingly, it says Tagalog is 100% complete, but is still open to edits. To my absolute horror, most of the Google Toolbar's Tagalog/Filipino translation are haphazardly done and to put it bluntly, quite done poorly. Makes me ask why would Google with all its money not pay for a real translator who can do the job? Good for the Google main site... somehow it's near perfect! But the toolbar? Arggggh!
Apparently, my research led me to find this info: The volunteer translation program predates the Google IPO, even its boom as a private company. Back when archiving and indexing is done by volunteers, it makes complete sense. Of course, Billions of dollars of revenue after, it just doesn't see right does it? Well, it does seem insignificant to translate to Filipino versions if 99% of Filipino surfers and PC users are proficient English speakers as well.
Unless say, you are part of an idealistic pool of Filipinos like me who cares about the 1% who are very proficient english speakers too but may prefer a Tagalog translation for the novelty kick of it all? Hmmm... Some people are just Obsessive-compulsive with their customizations. I know someone for instance who instead of "Start!" in their Windows, shows "Banat!" - Having editted the Hexagesimal code of explorer.exe ... Anyways, if you're proficient in Tagalog/Filipino enough would you care to spread our language, without pay from google???
Here's the link and try it out.
As for my contribution? It's the ephemeral "Ng" versus "Nang" error. Originally it is "Please Read this Carefully", in referrence to the EULA of the Google Toolbar. Some freak translated it to "PAKIBASA NG MABUTI ITO". GRRRR. It should have been "PAKIBASA ITO NANG MABUTI"! Here's my explanation:
PAKIBASA ITO NANG MABUTI vs PAKIBASA NG MABUTI ITO = the use of "Nang" versus "Ng" is a common error in translating Tagalog texts because both dipthongs have the same sound. The latter, "ng" is used to refer to nouns and pronouns, the former "Nang" however is an advervial modifier, therefore more appropriate. "Mabuti", literally means "well, good, or kind" by itself, since this is used in this sense to mean carefully, using "Nang" will modify it to the correct meaning "carefully". "Well and careful" seem to mean just the same in english; Tagalog however, being a high-context language differentiates vastly between the two.
Further, I moved "ito" from the end of the fragment towards the termination of the verb 'pakibasa' because that's the way it should be, the former being an awkward sounding jumble. The pattern here is similar with English or with French when one says "Read this" or "Regardez-la". PAKIBASA NANG MABUTI ITO translates to "Read carefully, this one," - undeniably sounding less formal, and unnatural.
Now I'm either too bored last weekend, or I'm too geeky, or I just have too much time. Whichever way, it worked for me. I got past the chapter "Song of Nephilim" in my PS2 game, got to surf, get lots of sleep, and still play Basketball, albeit the day after. Hmmm mmm mmm mmm...........
Labels: Google, Philippines, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 2/28/2005,
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Google Keyword: Filipina
2.09.2005
Marc has started a campaign to rid Google searches of the word "Filipina" of demeaning search results that tag them next to mail order brides. Though that reality does exist, and it does among other cultures too, it's a sad note that Google searches rank the demeaning rarity over the much more respectable and accurate majority of the real beauty of the Filipina.
Marc posts:
I’m starting a campaign among Filipino bloggers, more like a crusade, to “take back” these keywords. There’s a way, and it’s so simple. It’s called Google bombing. Read about it here. If you want to help.
Do click on the link and help out. For one here's the better links to find information about the Filipina -
Philippines
Filipina
(And if you a perv looking for a Filipina but managed to finish this post, Hey man, I think there's still hope for you. Check the real links.)
Labels: Google, Local, Philippines, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 2/09/2005,
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Google Browser in the works?
10.14.2004
We have long known the Netscape vs. Explorer browser war; that's World Wide Web history 101 for you! After Netscape 7 versus Explorer there has not been any update... but mozilla has been in the background and kept alive by loyal users. On the side, myie2 or maxthon came up but remained unnoticed. Opera is there as well but recently it's the Mozilla Firefox versus Explorer. Now there's news of a Netscape comeback. In the background we find Google Labs, Froogle and Gmail --- and that company's IPO in the midst of expansion into other services. Even the localization efforts of Google (making google.com.ph the default or your particular cctld) and their various translations elsewhere in the world would suggest active positioning towards strengthening its foothold globally even on regional searches.
Haven't you wondered if a Google browser is in the works? The guys at Google believe in "don't be evil" --- and as far as any netizen is concerned, I don't think there's anything more satanic than a browser possessed!Wouldn't it just make sense for Google to use the labeling system in its gmail --- into labeling bookmarks some techie user of linkfilter suggested? Is it not possible to use blogger and Atom's RSS to make live bookmarks more possible --- and create a browser - email client suite that uses keywords for labeling? Or perhaps a CRM-Browser-Client hybrid where notes to emails aside from mere labels can be made? After all, Picasa, their latest acquisition is using keywords a la labels for easier picture search.
All that for free --- with the only catch being google search is the default in the URL bar --- as myie2's main feature. Now here's the better part of the my story --- Using allwhois.com and some hints from somewhere in netdom that gbrowser is gmails I tried to confirmed it:
Registrant: Google Inc.
(DOM-1278108)
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View CA
94043 US
Domain Name: gbrowser.com
Registrar Name: Markmonitor.com
Registrar Whois:
whois.markmonitor.com
Registrar Homepage: http://www.markmonitor.com
Administrative Contact:
DNS Admin (NIC-1467103)
Google Inc.
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View CA 94043 US
dns-admin@google.com
+1.6503300100
Fax- +1.6506188571
Technical
Contact, Zone Contact:
DNS Admin (NIC-1467103)
Google Inc. 1600
Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View CA
94043 US
dns-admin@google.com
+1.6503300100
Fax- +1.6506188571
Created on..............: 2004-Apr-26.
Expires on..............: 2006-Apr-26.
Record last updated
on..: 2004-Apr-26 16:46:39.
Domain servers in listed order:
NS1.ALLDOMAINS.COM 64.124.14.32
NS2.ALLDOMAINS.COM 209.25.143.102
All these info above of course is publicly available information. So Gbrowser - is it possible, is it in the works? Note that the create date was April 26, 2004 while Gmail.com's registration is Aug-13,1995. I wonder if my Netsol friends can tell me who owned Gmail prior to google or if it was google's already. But either way, this means gbrowser is indeed coming! Gmail being in beta --- may take some months before it is full blast, or perhaps they keep it that way - in as much as google news is 3 years into beta already... this means gbrowser will take more time and we have to wait more it seems till the good guys at google google their way into this website perhaps and happily proclaim --- we got to do the world good service by getting this browser up! Perhaps I'm wrong even - perhaps its in the works and after engineers googled their way into this site --- they say - oh look at this guy how old his news is...
Well nobody outside Google would know perhaps. But Hope is a good thing, it's not evil. I therefore, conclude it's on and it's coming soon!
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 10/14/2004,
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Search "Philippines"
9.01.2004
I have been experimenting for some time what will come out as the top search result everytime I search "Philippines".
Google comes up with WOW Philippines as the top result. Good. CIA Factbook comes in as the second most popular result. I found that funny, see... the Government's own website Gov.ph is at 6th. I hoped it would have been at second with an "fact about the philippines" tag next to it. I also half expected NSO to come as the third, but it was instead the 10th in the list.
Vivisimo.com comes up with more relevant results clustered into topics: Hotels, Travel, Map, Events, Reviews etc. Altavista comes up with the same results - almost the same list. Try Saudi Arabia and instead you will get Saudi's information resource.
Well my story is I search "Philippines" in Yahoo! News and while before I got news of the de la Cruz kidnapping --- now I get our fiscal crisis instead. Not to say that search engines and news portals give the best information about our country but more like we have to be wary of the news that we give the world. See, Greenspan effect is to financials while the internet is to our reputation as a country. Saudi Arabai for instance has paid banner ads that try to explain its case versus terrorism, and what the 9/11 commission has to say of it's non-involvement. I am certain other countries have the same programs and perhaps even the Philippines has the same too --- through the Wow! Philippines program. With the way Filipinos are spread all over the world, and with each global pinoy having the same access to the internet I shas never had so much power to influence what comes up in search engines as before. Not to say that we should as bloggers fake it or mass link to something so negative or crazy as to influence things but more so --- I mean that each now should have a bigger sense of responsibility of what we post in the net. Let's make people here what we hate about the news, what we need to change, --- that in effect they know despite our fiscal crisis and the many ills before us - we are not standing blindly and doing nothing.
Labels: Google, Internet, Politics, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 9/01/2004,
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Bush Using Drugs to Control Depression, Erratic Behavior
7.29.2004
Big News Philippines. I found this link via linkfilter through Capitol Hill Blue. Here's an excerpt but the full article is here:
President George W. Bush is taking powerful anti-depressant drugs to control his erratic behavior, depression and paranoia, Capitol Hill Blue has learned.
GEORGE BUSH:
"
'Keep those motherfuckers away from me,' he screamed at an aide backstage."
The prescription drugs, administered by Col. Richard J. Tubb, the White House physician, can impair the President’s mental faculties and decrease both his physical capabilities and his ability to respond to a crisis, administration aides admit privately.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” says one aide. “We can’t have him flying off the handle at the slightest provocation but we also need a President who is alert mentally.”Angry Bush walked away from reporter's questions. Tubb prescribed the anti-depressants after a clearly-upset Bush stormed off stage on July 8, refusing to answer reporters' questions about his relationship with indicted Enron executive Kenneth J. Lay.“Keep those motherfuckers away from me,” he screamed at an aide backstage. “If you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”
Some people say we should consider the source --- that Capitol Hill Blue is similar to Matt Drudge of Drudge Report to Liberals. That, Teresa Hampton's articles on a quick search in google will reveal mostly news breaks againsts Bush and Co., Either way, I contend, news is news, and this is big news. This is an update from my previous post from indiemedia that Bush is Paranoid, apparently from the same Dr. Frank. This time around we have more details, more than just psychological analysis or behavioral charts, but more specific documented behavior.
I SAY:
"
My god, Bush enjoyed using firecrackers to explode frogs when he was a kid?"
Dr. Frank’s conclusions have been praised by other prominent psychiatrists, including Dr. James Grotstein, Professor at UCLA Medical Center, and Dr. Irvin Yalom, MD, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University Medical School.
My god, Bush enjoyed using firecrackers to explode frogs when he was a kid? Well I was faulted for creating an ant ball from rugby and I didn't feel good about it when I grew up. I wonder how he turned out:
... insulting journalists, gloating over state executions and pumping his hand gleefully before the bombing of Baghdad” showcase Bush’s instabilities.“I was really very unsettled by him and I started watching everything he did and reading what he wrote and watching him on videotape. I felt he was disturbed,” Dr. Frank said....
Further, it says. “We have to face the very real possibility that the President of the United States is loony tunes,” he says sadly. “That’s not good for my candidates, it’s not good for the party and it’s certainly not good for the country.”
Americans, FIlipinos, Australians, Arabs, Iraqis, Afghans, everyone. I say, that doesn't do the world any good. To have the most powerful person in the world, unable to control himself. Is it not that even the Pope was defied? How many died by the way?
Labels: Google, Politics, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 7/29/2004,
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Will Cockroaches Rule the World after a Nuclear War?
7.14.2004
There's an always exciting discussion that follows after a hefty exchange of ideas. Specially when the topic is Iraq and the US war, it's a guaranteed feast of opinion. While the Internet has produced a new medium of exchange which allows for faster debate through commenting, and thus giving more freedom to users, (discussed in my old post: musings on long comment threads) I have to breathe a sigh that the humor such off-topic discussions and passionate debating does get on my head.
Following Sassy's commentary on why the prison garb of the Filipino Hostage in Iraq is orange and Ayatollah's accusation that it is a western plot, a long thread followed. I had to post that it is a funny remark coming from Iran, after all, Nick Berg's father did blame Bush for the death of his son, not Abu Gharaib. Now, a certain 'Vitamin E' had to say that it wasn't anything funny at all. He posted:
vitamin E's comment:
To suggest that the Americans are behind those kidnappings & killings of foreign nationals in Iraq is just ridiculous and it’s not funny Jardine!
(07-13-04 at 08:26 PM)
I understand his concern that it is not a laughing matter, however, I do not appreciate such a personal attack, especially if he missed my point why I think it is a funny post. After all, conspiracy theories, are funny, but may be true, and it's that glimpse possibility that makes it even more hilarious.
I had to respond:
Jardine Davies's comment:
It is funny Vitamin E. That’s my opinion. In case you don’t know humor by its first name, and can’t take it, then its a hard life to live for you when you don’t see the mundane in the most serious. I kinda wonder what life you live without laughing Come on give me a break man! Think Happy thoughts.
Conspiracy theorists only thrive when there is too much or too little information. If everything is clear and black and white, there is no room for speculation.
I know and believe speculation is dangerous, and it is worst when we pass it as gospel. I do not believe it to be true either, I have always wished America is as great as it should be, but funny thing is how such a serious matter as how to tackle terrorism is being approached like a farce.
YOU want me to explain the joke to you? Here goes: It’s funny that both sides are using outlandish propaganda (Bush versus Dr. Evil, Children of God versus Zion) it’s funny that they can go to this great lengths and bomb the hek of each other when there are many other more pressing problems out there, it’s also funny if its true because that means the world is filled with fools that believed in Bush (that means me and you Vitamin E), it’s also funny because if it is not true it is about how two peoples could never undertand any other nation beyond their noses. It’s also funny because it’s something that can be so ridiculous like you said, and at the same time possibly true as well.
Hey is it not historical that conspiracies are created of the CIA? It’s zeitgeist, read some Joseph Campbell man, The mythos of the modern world is conspiracies, and it’s funny that we are allowing that to progress. Either way, serious or not, I find it funny too that I had to explain the reason to you as well. And you are so pikon.
Harharhar. You’ve just been baptized with Pinoy Humor. Harharhar (Laughs out Loud).
(07-13-04 at 09:15 PM)
After that, a certain 'Miel' had this to say to me: Whew! Happy to see that Jardine clarified that she sees this as “outlandish propaganda”. As if to insunuate that I am on the wrong side of the debate. Well let me explain why I find it even funnier that a poster would refuse to understand why the Conspiracy is Funny:
Outlandish Propaganda from both sides, ok people let's divide the world a little more, and bomb the hell of each other till only cockroachesremain in cold nuclear winter:
1. Those for us, and those against us (funny, i'm scared. quite despotic of bush... felt like hitler. It's either he's that of a dullhead, or he makes us all think he's that dull when in fact he is so clever to have ridiculed the UN by his monstrosity of a decision to invade Iraq based on cracked intelligence. If those CIA honchos listened to Manila's finest there's no 9/11, mind you.)
Did anyone in the world ever studied Being? C'mon how can you categorize things in the absolute? How can Bush divide good and evil in such absolute terms under an uncertain agenda, over a cloud of indistinct war, over an enemy he could not even define. Hehehe he got lost in translation I guess.
2. Well let's make it fair --- Even Ayatollah has his funny side: he's provoking the US... and crafting conflict with his own juice. When everyone else can live in peace he's highlighting a defensive stance, much like N.Korea so that if the US attacks, the US is painted as the bad guy who's on a roll and keeping score on all the virgins in campus. Bullying is something we all don't like. But similarly Ayatollah is hosting discord with such a statement.
Thing is, since nothing is ever clear, everyone else is an instrument of this global destruction. What are we gonna do? Are we going to choose sides? Who would go for 1. Bush (maybe coz you think you are safer or with the winner) or with option 2: Iran, coz you got the Muslim world and the unseen enemy to back you???
That's ridiculous if you choose 1 or 2. That's what we bloggers are saying, there are choices beyond an insipid America that Bush cooks, and a Fundamentalist/extremist state Ayatollah paints. Are we going to be agents of either? I say lets blog on and try to stop a non-sensical war based on any one man's ambition of a New World Order. (search that in google and you will see both sides)
Who wants cockroaches to represent this planet in Galactic congress? Star Trek Fans, anyone? I wouldn't want that. Meanwhile I'l blog and rant on and laugh my heart out of those who chose the coackroaches. Harharhar :)
As for the question Will Cockroaches Rule the World after a Nuclear War? Evolutionary biologists think so, their exo-skeleton protects them possible radiation, and may evolve thicker armor. Only microwave and extremely low temperatures will kill them, when nobody is left to squish them or spray insecticides. Fortunately, their nook and crany habitat will have saved them from extinction, including their highly protected nesting grounds and eggs. They reproduce quite fast, and are all over the world, second only to ants. One other thing: they are highly adaptable because their diet is 'everything that has carbon' that means you and me, and every organic matter. Before they start becoming sentient, and think about eating me and you, I think it's good time to stop any war that will make them lord us over. ;-)
Labels: Google, Internet, Iran, Iraq War, Politics, Technology, US Politics
posted by Jdavies @ 7/14/2004,
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On Beef, Injecting Pork with Water, etc.
5.05.2004
Sassy has a good article on the malpractice quite common on urban markets injecting water on poultry and other meats to add volume and weight. She reminded me of how I was taught in primary school to be wary of things as these. Apparently, it has been etched in culture, since I have learned these things via the "T.H.E." curriculum of the public school system way way back.
It also taught me of a whole list to watch out for: dyes on gills, meat substitution, the butcher's cut (heck if it was to be cooked one way it should be cut with its taste in mind, e.g. if you don't tell the butcher, you'll end up with a bad cut that's economical for him), simple things as spraying water to make products look fresh, dirty trade secrets that will make you think twice about things you mark as fresh!!!
So... tip is: be the Butcher's friend. that's key.
Beef in supermarkets are another consumerist concern: sometimes they are replaced with carabao beef, since the latter is much cheaper.
On meats though, it is not 100% true though that wet markets are more likely to be 'padded' than supermarket meats...maybe for the Metro Manila wet markets it is. So for domestic consumption 10% is not a problem but if you are buying pork in volume, try Laguna, I know some people in the business who have retained the unadultered practices.
For volume buys of seafood, try Dalahican in Lucena city, be there early and bargain with the fisherman themselves on site, (bulungan) while they haul the days catch. Bring even just a measly 1000 (one thousand, yes that much only) and a big coleman packed with ice. You'll have a great culinary eureka after you see that much fish and that much variety, I'm sure.
Labels: Google, Technology
posted by Jdavies @ 5/05/2004,
The Author
J.Davies
Jdavies lives in Quezon City, Philippines and has been blogging since 2002. A brand manager in a leading technology company and a freelance new media/web strategy consultant, he has refocused his blogging from personal, political & sociological observations, to marketing-related efforts and Internet trends that are relevant to his career and branding advocacies.
About This Blog
This blog is a depot of thoughts and observations on marketing trends which remain personally relevant to the Author as far as his marketing career is concerned. Having evolved from the personal blog of Jdavies, much of the earlier work contained herein are laced with personal speculation, political views, and similar advocacies. These posts are being kept for posterity's sake and for no other reason. No effort is being made to claim that the author will not contradict himself from his previous positions or that such advocacies are absolute.
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