2016 — 30 September: Friday

I lack the round tuit needed to re-fix one of my two large German wall thermometers back on the wall by my front door.1 I thus know it's cold this morning, but cannot quantify the degree of coolth. The planned walk will warm me up even if the tea fails. (It won't.)

I keep the central heating "on" 7x24 but the room thermostat set on 20C. There's some residual warmth in a couple of radiators and the atomic clock tells me it's 20.3C hereabouts. I shall layer up. And then wish number #1 niece a happy birthday.

Memories

I actually can't recall when I first read either of the two Heinlein stories mentioned here (the unnamed 1939 one being the classic "By his bootstraps"):

Chronological vandalism?

I enjoyed the film, too. [Pause] Interesting article. Be sure not to leave home without carrying your Chronology Protection Conjecture.

I wonder...

... which blithering idiot thought this was a smart idea?

Genetic vandalism?

Welcome...

... robotic overlords?

It is possible, he goes on, that human beings may fuse with robots to become a blend of robotic and human tissue ("That's one route"), but the likelier scenario will be pure robots. Why does he think we'll go for all-out robots? He shoots me an amused look. "I don't think we will. I think that they will — that's the key thing here."

Decca Aitkenhead interviewing James Lovelock in Grauniad


Always good...

... to remind yourself of why you loathe certain politicians:

Housewife Superstar?

That 2008 BBC page also still carries the tale of Attila the Hen having to have the Monty Python "dead parrot" sketch explained, and later asking "Monty Python — are you sure he is one of us?"


Footnote

1  I removed it during the brickwork re-pointing exercise as I feared for its health.