Angry Birds

I went through life quite naively not affected by computer games since I left the world of Window

driven machines. After all I now have a MacBook Pro and before that an iMac. I briefly dabbled with a free backgammon game sponsored by Nabisco Foods and a Go game as well, but managed to curtail extensive overuse of my spare time. In other words, no obsession.

My only exposure to this game to this point had been someone I know had it on their phone, and mentioned it only in passing. That is until Google+ posted a variety of free games on their site.

I'm not into shooting zombies, killing enemies (real or imagined), building farms, cities, racing cars, boats or air planes, or going on extensive quests. But, this simple slingshot game, pretending I'm a trebuchet operator is addicting!

No wonder it's a worldwide hit and becoming one of Finland's major exports. Finally I'm fitting into the popular demographics! Usually I'm so iconoclastic! Level 2-21 was particularly vexing to me and I spent lots of time wasting activity/improving my skills. Alternating moments of enhancing and annoyance is a result of the audio provided. But, damn it, smashing glass house with full sound is so much fun!

Animation

Playing online action games is not one of my passions; however I can marvel at the strides made to make it appear more lifelike. The blending of real life and animation verges on that threshold.

It gets me thinking that not too far in the future news broadcasts could very well be presentable enough to be thought of as real. Just like photoshopping is now by the undiscriminating public.

The ramifications and inferences of that could be catastrophic!

At present digital games are training a generation of players to be assassins, snipers, and varied

hit men or murderous martial artists. Books like THINK AND GROW RICH and EMPIRES OF THE MIND show us that the brain does not distinguish between make believe and reality.

Exactly what type of this fruit will this activity bear?

RSA Animate - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

At the beginning of this video I didn't understand fully the subject matter but by perservering through the graphics and speech it started to dawn on me. I must be one of those individuals that need it shown to them as well to comprehend some complexities. This way, at my own pace, I can integrate it.

I found that to be true in other subjects as well.

It has profoundly changed my views on education and pointed out some of the benefits to allowing youth the time to search out their interests and strengths. As he correctly points out it is in those personal moments that innovation truly blossoms!

Thank you RSA Animate.

Inside Google Books: "Game of Thrones" Author talks about Dwarves, Drag...

Inside Google Books: "Game of Thrones" Author talks about Dwarves, Drag...: "Posted by Oliver Chiang, Google eBooks It was an epic geekfest that could only be matched by the likes of a Comic-Con or a Star Trek conv..."

In case you missed it elsewhere for all those of us hard nosed, FANatics of Fire and Ice series. ENJOY

Ed Boyden: A light switch for neurons | Video on TED.com

Ed Boyden: A light switch for neurons | Video on TED.com

This is one of the beauties of the internet these days. Any topic that piques our interest is available for further perusal and investigation.

Even subjects we beforehand had no exposure, knowledge or interest. If we make ourselves available and become receptive serendipities occur!

The glory and wonder of it all!

It gives credence to the dictum: We don't know what we don't know!

Ignorance, most times, is not bliss!

Take the cultural elitist test | Columnists | Opinion | Toronto Sun

Take the cultural elitist test | Columnists | Opinion | Toronto Sun

A very apropos and succinct article by Gerry outlining the situation leftists and all other free spenders that have been ravaging the public purse.

Mandarins of governments beware! When he's right he's right. And, in this instance, the left hand will know what the right hand is doing. That's what concerns them!

But, in this also, there needs to be restraint and common sense. We can do without the journeys into world policing and trying to bolster our 'elitist' world image.

But that comment is for another blog.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES

A typical Tom Clancy action novel which this time melds Taliban-Mexican drug cartels-Navy Seals- DEA plus a few more alphabet feds.

My take on the situation is that it's a never ending 'war' fuelled by drug prohibition and escalating profits. However it does give the federal government police forces 'carte blanc' when it comes to procuring funding and justifying tactics normally not allowed. Even to the point of joining forces with old enemies to combat new ones. I think the days of distinct heroes and villains are over as they have been in reality for a long time.

As a novel it presents both sides accurately I think which makes it quite the adventure. The editorializing has been completely my own invention.

I used to devour his past novels like RED STORM RISING, PATRIOT GAMES and RAINBOW SIX, but perhaps my literary tastes have changed since that time. It was, this time, an interesting read instead.

Child Porn Bill Cloaks Fed Data Grab

Child Porn Bill Cloaks Fed Data Grab

Another part of the shell game legislation plays in the big picture of control. We are of no significant influence or concern until aggregated, or aggravated!

INVICTUS

I just finished watching the dvd again with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. Great movie!

Clint Eastwood, the director out did himself with this one! The depiction of Nelson Mandela is memorable!

But then when you mention Nelson Mandela to me you have a captive audience. I have read his book and am inspired by his struggle to grasp victory and honour from dismal circumstances. I agree he is a faulty human being but his accomplishments are not! And should be a cornerstone marker for delineating success over pride, pettiness and corruption.

It is one of my favourite movies and would readily watch it over and over.