Quentin Stafford-Fraser's blog
One should always have something sensational to read on the net...
Humour
Today I was given reason to remember that old Noel Coward song - how did it go? Something like:
Mad Englishmen with dogs
Go out in the noonday sleet...
Yes, I think that was it...
A delightful TED talk by Thomas Hellum about the attractions of what might be considered the dullest TV on the planet, at least by those who haven't seen The Shopping Channel.
[ted id=2148]
I hadn't come across Kate Reddy before, but they interviewed Allison Pearson, her creator, on Radio 4 this morning, about her return to the Telegraph. The piece is, I think, quite splendid.
Now I know what I've been missing by not being a parent.
Tilly! Tilly! Put that camera down! Drop it! DROP IT!
All the world's a toolbox
And all the men and women merely pliers
Lovely cartoon by Mobii, who has since done several variations on the theme. I 'liked' this on Facebook recently, but wanted to save it in a place where I could find it again...
It occurs to me that the Book of Job has a persuasive argument for space travel.
Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
This is surely meant to inspire us to explore the opportunities that zero-gravity has to offer.
Talking of which, why do the crew of the Starship Enterprise always stay on the floor? Even when under attack, when the last photon torpedo has been fired, the shields are out and even the life-support systems are failing, captain, somehow the gravitational field never ceases to function.
I think they have their priorities wrong. Life-support is more important than avoiding weightlessness, people! Especially if, as would seem to be the case, you are born unto trouble.
It could be something awesome like this:
Thanks to Mark Littlewood for the link
My nephew James came up with this; I think it's great:

Here's my attempt to follow his lead, less successfully, I think!