Monday, August 10, 2009

Smart Crows

Crows (well, actually rooks) are smart.

“...they are ‘clearly combining some sort of understanding of the task with an understanding of the tool and are able to solve the task so quickly.’”

If By Whiskey

Here is a list of logical fallacies. It’s fascinating reading, and gives you the tools to know if someone (especially a politician) is trying to put one over on you.

I especially enjoyed the “If By Whiskey” argument.

Throw yourself in

Here’s a useful insight (and lots more good stuff if you feel like improving yourself):

There are some things that can’t be approached gradually.

I surf, badly. One of the main reasons why I have a hard time is because surfing is about waiting for the right moment and then throwing yourself in, absolutely.

I resist throwing myself under several tons of falling water. I try to drag out the transition between not surfing and surfing, but it doesn’t work that way.

This binary-type-experience paradigm is useful because it explains a point of failure that can be, otherwise, hard to diagnose.

People have spent a lot of time and energy giving me advice about how to surf (and a lot of it was helpful). But it’s more useful just to accept that I’m going to have to act, not think, when that wave arrives.

Deep Impact and Armageddon

Remember Deep Impact? Remember Armageddon?

Have a look at this cartoon.

Fly lice and trash cans

These stories are awesome and short—only a few paragraphs each.

Five months later, I chuckle out loud about once a week when I remember them.

For two of my favorites, load the page then search for:

- chinese restaurant (fly lice story)
- when my (trash can story)

Thanks, Steve.