John the Revelator. “Seven lies/multiplied by seven/multiplied by seven again…” Interesting. This morning, there were articles all over the ‘net about how the number of deaths in the Iraq war was decreasing, but the terrorists were learning from their mistakes and becoming more accurate in their attacks. Now, they’re gone — or at least, I […]

…is up.

by Audrey Wood and Mark Teague. One of the best children’s picture books I’ve read in a long time: Pa Brindle blew the cobwebs off the trunk, then threw it open — and all the cats in the neighborhood opened one eye…. “I’ll be good this time,” Pa promised. “One big piece of Sweet Dream

“If I don’t come back, tell mother I love her.” “Your mother’s dead.” “Then I’ll tell her myself.” The trailer for the Coen Brothers’ movie, No Country for Old Men. Serial killer obsessed with chance in the middle of nowhere…brrr… (via Ectoplasmosis.)

Aether Emporium lists “The Steampunk Essentials,” including books, movies, and comics (I’ve read all but one of the comics, anyway). Oooooh, Phillip Reeve is the Mortal Engines guy. Yup. Him.

Click! On goes the lightbulb… Dude. Everyone in Pokemon is not just characters in a video game, but characters whose in-game setting is, itself, a video game. Why do these kids’ parents let them run around all the time? Why are all the Nurse Joys identical? Why do the Pokemons level? How, in fact, do

The main author of the Doc Savage stories tells his secrets for writing a 6000-word pulp story that cannot fail to sell. At this point, it might help to recall that action should do something besides advance the hero over the scenery. Suppose the hero has learned the dastards of villains have seized somebody named

Done. Spoiler in comments.

Eight Main Symptoms of Group Think Illusion of Invulnerability: Members ignore obvious danger, take extreme risk, and are overly optimistic. Collective Rationalization: Members discredit and explain away warning contrary to group thinking. Illusion of Morality: Members believe their decisions are morally correct, ignoring the ethical consequences of their decisions. Excessive Stereotyping:The group constructs negative sterotypes

A gaming system in which you earn points for completing chores! Based on my natural chore abilities, I have the following stats: Level 1 Wizard Str 10Con 9Dex 10Int 10Wis 9 Cuuute. (via Boing Boing.)