Round 2 Review
Finally the round 2 game against Wang. You can pretty much tell this was a game between two wanna-bes, especially the gaggle of errors in the endgame. Although maybe I’ll put it down to time pressure.
Complete win
1,000 thanks to Joe Lee of ROTK for this find: “You know you start to wonder what the age of the biochem researchers demographic is when they start releasing ads like this.”: It’s called EpMotion
Partisanship
So these results are not completely unexpected, and the results surely range far beyond partisanship:
In a study a couple years ago, Democrats and Republicans both had a hard time correctly assessing information contradictory to their points of view. The test involved hearing contradictory statements from John Kerry and George W. Bush. The candidates on the test subjects’ sides could essentially deny their favored candidate’s statements while jumping on the opponent.
Oh, and right now Bush has a 32% approval rating. 65% Republicans approve of Bush. I would like to ask those of you who do give Bush a thumbs-up two things:
1. Why does Bush get your approval?
2. What do you think Bush has done poorly (if anything)?
If you’re wondering what the picture has to do with this, it’s because the weapon the processioneers are carrying is called a “partisan”. It’s a spear-like weapon, but instead of a simple spear point, the sharp end has little “wings” on the side. Presumably this was to aid in catching incoming swordstrokes, but I’m not convinced it made a partisan wielder that much more capable against swordsman than a spear wielder.
Sources: Democrats and Republicans Both Adept at Ignoring Facts, Study Finds
Tournament of Lepers 2, Week 4 extended
A lot of people were on the road, or otherwise had difficulties completing games this week. So this will be a “catch-up” week, and also it saves me the time of posting a cross-table, etc.
I hope they go with the aerosol can
With the Olympic games in Beijing next month, the Brits are pondering 4 years down the line when they hold the 2012 games. The BBC asked their readers to submit ideas for their own mascots–and considering the number of readers, you’d think someone could come up with something that’s not either ridiculous or mundane. Frighteningly, if you threw the LEP Mascot into the mix, it might not be the worst one.
The one featured in the picture to the right is an aerosol can wearing a Burberry hat named Charlie Chav. Now this is something I wish I’d thought of. Maybe if the Olympic committee decides an aerosol can mascot is not the direction they want to go in, I’ll hire him myself.
The first one’s not safe for work, by the way
Now this is the kind of spark the chess world could use (NSFW): Shaq vs Kobe is not over
Topalov burning Kramnik in a freestyle rap…that would be cool.
This next video is not something the chess world needs, but it’s related to the first. Its quality is 100% worthy of this website, though…
Tournament of Lepers 2, Week 4
| Week 4 Pairings | |
| White | Black |
| Chessaholic | Tom |
| The Bye | Blunderprone |
| Polly | Scuirus |
| The Bye | Wang |
| Ivan | Takchess |
| Donnie | Wahrheit |
| Dr. Gene Ray Division Standings | ||||||
| CA | BP | Pol | Tom | Sci | Total | |
| CA | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||
| BP | — | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | |
| Pol | 0.0 | 0.5 | — | 1.0 | 1.5 | |
| Tom | 0.5 | 0.0 | — | 0.5 | ||
| Sci | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0.0 | ||
| Alex Chiu Division Standings | ||||||
| LEP | Wng | Ivn | Whr | Tak | Total | |
| LEP | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | ||
| Wng | 0.0 | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Ivn | 0.0 | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | ||
| Whr | 0.0 | — | 0.0 | |||
| Tak | 0.0 | — | 0.0 | |||
Already more than halfway through! I’m missing a handful of scores, so let me know and I’ll update (OR, I missed some that were already revealed.)
Rushing; some of your comments need responding to. Like explaining why the Wilson Gambit is relevant.
Uncle!
Dear Europe,
Your decision to incorporate airlines in your emissions trading scheme (ETS) is vaguely unrealistic. Please note oil is over $140/barrel. We at the airlines are currently trying every trick possible to use less fuel. We really, really want to cut emissions because it will help us not go bankrupt.
Now, if the goal of ETS is simply forcing airlines to either cut even more flights or go out of business…well, that would certainly reduce emissions, and I can’t fault its efficiency.
Source: EU in talks with Obama and McCain over aviation cap-and-trade deal
God arrested for selling cocaine
For those of you who consider Liquid Egg Product a primary source for world news, I apologize for being a little lax recently. However, rest assured that I continue to keep an eye out for relevant, engaging topics.
Recently, Tampa police arrested God, accusing him of selling cocaine–near a church of all places. Of course, there’s a bit more to the story than that sentence indicates, but it makes an almost unbeatable headline.
As long as reality continues to remain more interesting than fiction, I plan to stick around as long as possible.
Source: God accused of selling cocaine
Unbridled Rivalry
The strangely addicting Desktop Tower Defense has provided us with several hours of distraction, strategy pondering, and joy. The egg and I have been fiercely battling for the highest score. While I was the first to beat normal difficulty, the Mascot’s edged me out in score…but he hasn’t had the GUTS to try Hard!
If you want to boast of your ability, submit your score and enter “Liquid Egg” (without quotes) for the group name when it asks.
