Shades of Grey

“Grab the nearest book, open to page 123, go down to the 5th sentence, and type up the 3 following sentences.”

But he also returns to the issue of writing off what is unfamiliar: “Leaders have a tendency to write off things that are outside their realm. In the old days, you had the expression ‘loony left’ and with it you threw out both the good and the bad. Basically, you were dismissing anything you did not comprehend with throw-away lines.”

There is a powerful warning in this.

Beyond Authority

Leadership in a changing world

Julia Middleton- Common Purpose

As seen all over the place. (The meme, not the book.)

You’re Jurassic Park!
by Michael Crichton
You combine all the elements of a mad scientist, a brash philosopher, a humble researcher, and a money-hungry attracter of tourists. With all these features, you could build something monumental or get chased around by your own demons. Probably both, in fact. A movie based on your life would make millions, and spawn at least two sequels that wouldn’t be very good. Be very careful around islands.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Hat tip: Finding Life Hard

Following on from the bunch of keys meme, here is my technocluster™.

For the non-technical, have a guess what the three items are then unfurl for the answer. (You can click on it for a closer look).

Top item. Is it a:

1. Holographic projection unit
2. Car alarm remote control
3. Photonic emission unit

The left item. Is it:-

1. Phone number storage device
2. Credit card one time PIN generator
3. A Firewall hole poker

The right item. Is it:-

1. A medication dispenser
2. A torch
3. A storage device

(more…)

The first was a comment on Hercules’ Blog about templates;

Opinions are like Arseholes…

The second was at The Devil’s Advocate on the Surveillence Society;

…little more judgmental than a nodding dog with a rubber stamp..,

and the third was at hellomeyer.com on what kind of pet to get for home defence;

…but cats are so much better…

(Note- mp3 file, 1.8 Meg)

Scott Meyer used to be a stand-up comedian but he is also a cartoonist and does the series Basic Instructions: Your all-inclusive guide to a life well-lived. It is something of an acquired taste, but once hooked you find yourself visiting there twice a week.

This is a single panel from How to decide which Star Wars character you are most like. Click through to see the full cartoon. (Other cartoons here).

I’ve just noticed that I’ve been tagged by Jeremy Jacobs for fifty things I’d like to before I peg it.

Blimey, fifty things. Here we go, stream of consciousness, things I’d like to see and do;

(In no particular order, some fanciful or unlikely, I’ve hyperlinked some of the more obscure ones)

1. See the Pyramids
2. Go on a zero gravity flight
3. Visit the Paramount Theatre, Denver
4. See the Grand Canyon
5. Go up “Big Ben” again (with David)
6. Start up a stand-up comedy club
7. See Andrew Gold live
8. Learn to swim
9. Feature in a Dilbert Cartoon
10. Go for a Pint with David on his 18th Birthday
11. Visit Tokyo Disneyland
12. See the Northern Lights
13. Go to the top roof of the Sydney Opera House
14. Learn to play the Electric Piano
15. Do more lighting design
16. See the Royal Festival Hall
17. Visit the Devil’s Causeway
18. Go on a sub-orbital space flight
19. See the Taj Mahal
20. See La Scala, Milan
21. Eat at “The Ivy”
22. Interview Helen Fielding on Morley Radio
23. Visit Morley Town Hall Clock Tower
24. Visit the “Great White North” in the Summer
25. Go to Vancouver
26. Go to Rome
27. See the Sistine Chapel
28. Go up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
29. Visit the Noah’s Ark at Kennywood
30. See Victoria Falls
31. See Niagara Falls again
32. Visit a smelting Works
33. Visit the Titanic in a Mini-Sub
34. Visit Sri Lanka (& possibly meet Arthur C. Clarke)
35. Be on a comedy writing team
36. Restore the Newcastle Paramount
37. Go to the moon and back
38. Read all of the works of Robert A. Heinlein
39. Go on a Disney cruise
40. See some of the Great Wall of China
41. See Denise Marsa live
42. Visit Mount Fuji
43. See the Siberian Salt Mines
44. Go to Auschwitz
45. Visit Berlin
46. Dance on my hat in Mexico
47. See the statues on Easter Island
48. Re-visit Berne
49. Bungee off the Eiffel Tower
50. Have a few beers with Mervyn Stokes

Phew!

I won’t tag anyone, but feel free to pick it up…