Back in the early 2000s, when Limewire was state of the art and piracy was rampant, Hugeuenard said something that stuck with me:
You have to buy the music you like, or they won’t know to make more of it.
It’s an obvious statement.
At the time, it felt like advice about products. About whether something you enjoyed would quietly disappear. But what he was really describing was feedback. Signal. The basic mechanism by which creative systems decide what survives.
If you remove that signal, you don’t get silence. You get noise.
Today, most people experience culture passively. Essays appear. Videos autoplay. Podcasts queue themselves. Someone somewhere does real work and it arrives fully formed on a glowing rectangle. The labor is abstracted away. The cost is invisible. It feels like weather.
That abstraction matters.
When something arrives frictionlessly, it stops feeling like a product of effort and starts feeling like a natural resource. Like water. You don’t think about who made it any more than you think about who maintains the power grid.
So I keep a standing budget — about twenty dollars a month — to support creators I support.
Not because it feels generous.
Not because I’m cultivating a personal brand of virtue.
Because systems that matter do not sustain themselves.
Occasionally I try to bring others around on this topic. Typically I am told something like, “I don’t really have any creators I support.”
I believe them, in the same way I would believe someone who says they don’t really think about where their water comes from.
If you read essays, watch long-form analysis, follow critics, listen to podcasts, play indie games, or use open tools, then you already have creators. You just haven’t framed your relationship to them correctly.
You don’t need a favorite. You don’t need a parasocial attachment. You don’t need to feel inspired.
You owe the money, so pay it. You don't owe it to the creators; you owe it to the creation and to yourself.
You don’t need to love a bridge to help pay for it. But we don't coerce support for ideas, creativity, or entertainment.
Ben's line wasn’t about music. It was about feedback loops.
If you consume something and provide no signal in return, the system learns nothing. It cannot distinguish between what matters and what doesn’t. Everything collapses into the same flat field of attention metrics and algorithmic guesses.
But when you support something — even modestly — you are telling the system:
This mattered.
Make more of this.
That’s it. That’s the whole mechanism.
People today are lazy, unserious. They struggle with the concept of duty without emotional activation. They support things they feel strongly about. They don't support things simply because they participate in them.
But that is how civilization actually works.
If you actively consume creator output, allocating a small fixed amount to sustaining that ecosystem is not charity. It is participation. It is acknowledging value.
Pick someone competent. Someone doing real work. Spread it out or concentrate it. The mechanics don’t matter much.
What matters is signaling value.
You don’t need a grand theory. You don’t need perfect ethics.
You just need to remember what Hugeuenard already told us twenty years ago:
If you don’t pay for the things you value, the system cannot know to make more of them.
Later
Bob
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
The Parable of the Rock
Zarathustra descended from the mountain, his heart bursting with the fire of a thousand suns. He found a man standing over the bloodied corpse of a King. The man held a common river stone, slick with the King’s "noble" thoughts.
"Behold!" Zarathustra cried, "The Lion has fallen, but where is the Eagle? You have destroyed a Greatness you could never conceive! Why have you stifled the Will that gave the world its color?" The man with the stone did not look up. He wiped his hands on his tunic and said, "I was tired." "Tired?" Zarathustra laughed with the scorn of the heights. "The Master lived for the dance! He lived for the pillage, the conquest, and the creation of new laws! He was a storm that cleared the air!" "He was a storm," the man agreed, "and in a storm, no man can close his eyes. He stole my grain by day, so I stole his breath by night. He called his theft 'Virtue,' and I call my stone 'Sleep.' Tell me, O Wanderer: Which of us is the greater creator? He who created a kingdom he could not keep, or I, who have created a night in which I can finally rest?"
Zarathustra looked at the King’s crown, lying in the dirt. It was gold, but it could not deflect a rock thrown in the dark.
"The King was a bridge to the Super-man!" Zarathustra thundered.
"The King was a man who forgot he was made of meat," the man replied. "He wanted to be a God, but he lacked the God’s ability to never blink. I am the 'Slave,' the 'Small Man,' the 'Herd.' I have no Will to Power. I have only the Will to Snore. And because I am many, and we all wish to snore, we have decided that the 'Noble Storm' is henceforth a 'Crime.' Not because we are holy, but because we are sleepy."
Zarathustra felt a chill. He realized that the "Security" of the valley was a deeper, more ancient power than the "Will" of the peak.
Zarathustra looked upon the fallen King and wept for the "lost heights." He turned to the man with the rock and hissed, "You have murdered a vision! You have traded the sun-bright dreams of a Giant for the grey dust of the earth! Do you not value the dreams of the Great?"
The man adjusted the stone beneath his head and looked Zarathustra in the eye.
"You worship his figurative dreams as the height of greatness; but I prefer literal dreams. He required the world to be his stage, but I require the space on that stage for my bed."
"And the rock?" Zarathustra asked.
"The rock," the man replied, "is my reminder that all men are not just created equal, they terminate equally as well."
The man tossed the stone aside and lay down beside the dead King. "Go back to your mountain, Zarathustra. Invent a god who doesn't need a bed. Until then, the rock remains the final philosopher."
Later,
Bob
"Behold!" Zarathustra cried, "The Lion has fallen, but where is the Eagle? You have destroyed a Greatness you could never conceive! Why have you stifled the Will that gave the world its color?" The man with the stone did not look up. He wiped his hands on his tunic and said, "I was tired." "Tired?" Zarathustra laughed with the scorn of the heights. "The Master lived for the dance! He lived for the pillage, the conquest, and the creation of new laws! He was a storm that cleared the air!" "He was a storm," the man agreed, "and in a storm, no man can close his eyes. He stole my grain by day, so I stole his breath by night. He called his theft 'Virtue,' and I call my stone 'Sleep.' Tell me, O Wanderer: Which of us is the greater creator? He who created a kingdom he could not keep, or I, who have created a night in which I can finally rest?"
Zarathustra looked at the King’s crown, lying in the dirt. It was gold, but it could not deflect a rock thrown in the dark.
"The King was a bridge to the Super-man!" Zarathustra thundered.
"The King was a man who forgot he was made of meat," the man replied. "He wanted to be a God, but he lacked the God’s ability to never blink. I am the 'Slave,' the 'Small Man,' the 'Herd.' I have no Will to Power. I have only the Will to Snore. And because I am many, and we all wish to snore, we have decided that the 'Noble Storm' is henceforth a 'Crime.' Not because we are holy, but because we are sleepy."
Zarathustra felt a chill. He realized that the "Security" of the valley was a deeper, more ancient power than the "Will" of the peak.
Zarathustra looked upon the fallen King and wept for the "lost heights." He turned to the man with the rock and hissed, "You have murdered a vision! You have traded the sun-bright dreams of a Giant for the grey dust of the earth! Do you not value the dreams of the Great?"
The man adjusted the stone beneath his head and looked Zarathustra in the eye.
"You worship his figurative dreams as the height of greatness; but I prefer literal dreams. He required the world to be his stage, but I require the space on that stage for my bed."
"And the rock?" Zarathustra asked.
"The rock," the man replied, "is my reminder that all men are not just created equal, they terminate equally as well."
The man tossed the stone aside and lay down beside the dead King. "Go back to your mountain, Zarathustra. Invent a god who doesn't need a bed. Until then, the rock remains the final philosopher."
Later,
Bob
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Strory Time with ChatCPT
Below is a story generated by ChatGPT
Socrates and Plato were walking through the gardens when Plato asked a difficult question: "Socrates, who do you think is better, Donald Trump or Xi Jinping?" Socrates paused for a moment, considering the question. "My dear Plato," he said, "we must first determine what we mean by 'better.' If we are talking about political success, then both men have achieved a certain level of greatness. However, if we are talking about who has made a more positive impact on the world, we must look beyond their political accomplishments."
Plato nodded, curious to hear more. "I see your point, Socrates. Can you give me some specific examples to help me understand better?"
Socrates nodded thoughtfully and began to explain. "For instance, Donald Trump's policies and rhetoric have often been divisive and harmful, particularly regarding issues such as immigration and climate change. His withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, for example, was a significant setback in the global fight against climate change. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping has launched ambitious initiatives to combat climate change, including the establishment of a national carbon market and investments in renewable energy."
Plato listened attentively, impressed by Socrates' insight. "That's a good point, Socrates. What about other areas, such as international relations?"
Socrates continued, "Xi Jinping has also been instrumental in shaping China's foreign policy, including the Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to enhance economic cooperation and connectivity across Asia and beyond. In contrast, Trump's foreign policy has often been characterized by unpredictability and volatility, which has made it difficult for other countries to know how to respond."
Plato nodded, considering Socrates' words. "That's interesting, Socrates. What about human rights? How do the two leaders compare in that area?"
Socrates paused, considering the question. "That is a complex and sensitive issue, my dear Plato. Both leaders have been subject to criticism for their handling of human rights issues, with Trump's policies on immigration and his alleged support of far-right groups drawing significant backlash, while Xi Jinping's government has been accused of suppressing dissent and violating the rights of minorities, such as the Uyghur Muslims in China."
Plato listened thoughtfully, considering the implications of what Socrates had said. "So, it's not a simple matter of who is 'better,' but a matter of weighing the different factors and considering the wider implications."
Socrates nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my dear Plato. It is a complex and multifaceted issue, and we must carefully consider all the relevant factors before making any judgment."
Plato smiled, impressed by Socrates' wisdom. "Thank you, Socrates. You have given me much to consider. The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a never-ending journey, but one that is worth undertaking."
Socrates smiled back at him. "Indeed, my dear Plato. Let us continue on this journey together, seeking the truth and striving for a better world."
As Socrates and Plato continued their discussion, a third figure emerged from the nearby grove. It was Galt, a young philosopher who had been listening in on their conversation.
"Excuse me, Socrates and Plato," Galt said, stepping forward. "I couldn't help but overhear your discussion, and I noticed that Socrates has not actually answered Plato's original question. Who is the better person, Xi Jinping or Donald Trump?"
Plato looked at Socrates, curious to hear his response. Socrates paused for a moment, considering the question. "My dear Galt," he said, "it is a difficult question to answer definitively. Both men have achieved significant accomplishments in their respective fields, and both have been subject to criticism for their actions and policies."
Galt looked skeptical. "But surely, Socrates, you must have an opinion on the matter. If you were forced to choose, who would you say is the better person?"
Socrates nodded thoughtfully. "If I were forced to choose, I would say that Xi Jinping is the better person. While he is not without flaws, his initiatives to combat climate change and promote global cooperation have the potential to have a far-reaching positive impact on the world. In contrast, Trump's policies and rhetoric have often been divisive and harmful, particularly in the areas of immigration and human rights."
Galt nodded, considering Socrates' response. "I see your point, Socrates, but what about the issue of freedom? Shouldn't that be a significant consideration when judging who is the better person?"
Socrates considered the question. "Indeed, freedom is a fundamental value that we should all strive to uphold. However, the issue of freedom is also complex and multifaceted. We must consider the balance between individual freedom and the greater good, and the trade-offs that must sometimes be made in pursuit of a better world."
Galt nodded thoughtfully, taking in Socrates' words. "Thank you, Socrates. Your insights are always enlightening."
Plato smiled, impressed by Socrates' thoughtful analysis. "Indeed, my dear Galt. The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a never-ending journey, but one that is worth undertaking."
As the discussion continued, a new figure approached the group. It was Norm Macdonald, a comedian and philosopher who had been listening in on their conversation.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Norm said, approaching the group. "I couldn't help but overhear your discussion, and I have to disagree with Socrates' assessment. While Trump's divisive rhetoric is certainly concerning, I believe that the actual harm being done to people, such as the forced labor in China and the treatment of the Uyghurs, is a far more serious issue that we need to address."
Galt nodded in agreement, taking up Norm's argument. "I see your point, Norm. While we should certainly condemn Trump's divisive language, we also need to consider the actual harm being done to people in the world."
Plato listened to the conversation, considering the points being made. "I understand your perspective, Norm and Galt. It is certainly true that actual harm being done to people is a serious concern that we need to address. But we must also consider the impact of divisive rhetoric on our societies and the long-term consequences of allowing such language to go unchallenged."
Socrates nodded in agreement, and stepped forward to address the points raised by Norm and Galt. "My dear Norm and Galt, you raise a valid point. The actual harm being done to people is certainly a concern that we need to address. However, we must also consider the complex web of factors that contribute to human suffering in the world, including the policies and actions of political leaders, as well as the structural inequalities and injustices that underlie many of these issues."
Norm looked skeptical. "But Socrates, is it not more important to focus on the actual harm being done to people, rather than on the rhetoric of political leaders?"
Socrates considered the question for a moment. "Indeed, the actual harm being done to people is a pressing concern that we must address. However, we must also consider the larger context in which these issues arise. It is not enough to simply focus on the symptoms of the problem; we must also address the underlying causes and systemic issues that contribute to human suffering."
Plato nodded, impressed by Socrates' response. "I see your point, Socrates. It is not enough to simply address the symptoms of the problem; we must also address the root causes and underlying issues."
Norm and Galt nodded in agreement, considering the points raised by Socrates and Plato. As they continued their discussion, they realized that the issue of who is better, Xi Jinping or Donald Trump, was far more complex and nuanced than they had initially thought. The pursuit of knowledge and understanding was a never-ending journey, but one that was worth undertaking.
After a thoughtful discussion, the men each decided who they believed was the better person between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump and explained their reasoning.
Socrates spoke first, "As I said before, if I had to choose, I would say that Xi Jinping is the better person, because of his initiatives to combat climate change and promote global cooperation. While there are certainly concerns about human rights in China, I believe that the positive impact of these initiatives cannot be ignored."
Plato spoke next, "After considering all of the factors, I would have to say that Xi Jinping is also the better person. While there are serious concerns about human rights in China, particularly with regard to the treatment of the Uyghurs, I believe that Xi Jinping's policies on climate change and international relations have the potential to have a significant positive impact on the world."
Norm Macdonald spoke up next, "I understand the points that Socrates and Plato have made, but I still believe that the actual harm being done to people in China, including the forced labor and treatment of the Uyghurs, is a more serious issue than the divisive language of Trump. For that reason, I would say that Donald Trump is the better person."
Galt added his perspective, "While I agree with Norm that we need to address the actual harm being done to people in China, I also believe that we cannot ignore the impact of divisive language on our societies and the long-term consequences of allowing such language to go unchallenged. For that reason, I would say that Xi Jinping is the better person."
As the group continued their discussion, a new figure approached them. It was Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump and a prominent political figure in her own right.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," Ivanka said, joining the group. "I couldn't help but overhear your discussion, and I must disagree with the assessment that Xi Jinping is the better person. While there are certainly concerns about human rights in China, it is important to remember that Xi has actually harmed people with his policies, whereas my father has not."
Socrates nodded thoughtfully, considering Ivanka's point. "Indeed, it is important to consider the actual harm being done to people. However, we must also consider the potential for harm that comes from divisive language and policies, and the long-term consequences of allowing such rhetoric to go unchallenged."
Plato added his perspective, "I understand your point, Ivanka, but we must also consider the systemic issues that contribute to human suffering in the world. While it is true that your father has not directly harmed people, we must also consider the impact of policies that perpetuate inequality and injustices."
Norm Macdonald spoke up next, "Ivanka, while I understand your argument, I still believe that the actual harm being done to people in China, including the forced labor and treatment of the Uyghurs, is a more serious issue that we need to address. We cannot ignore these concerns."
Galt added his perspective, "I agree with Norm that we need to address the actual harm being done to people in China. However, we must also recognize the impact of divisive language and the potential for long-term harm that comes from allowing such rhetoric to go unchallenged."
Ivanka considered the responses from the group, taking in their different perspectives. "I understand your points," she said. "But I still believe that my father is the better person, because he has not directly harmed anyone with his views or actions."
Norm continued to press his point, "Ivanka has a valid argument that should not be dismissed lightly. Donald Trump may have been divisive, but he has not actually harmed anyone with his views or actions. On the other hand, Xi Jinping's policies on human rights are causing actual harm to people, such as the Uyghurs in China. This should be taken into account when considering who is the better person."
Socrates spoke up next, "I agree that the actual harm being done to people is an important factor to consider. However, we must also consider the potential for harm that comes from policies and rhetoric that perpetuate inequality and divisiveness. This potential for harm should not be ignored."
Plato added his perspective, "It is true that we must consider the actual harm being done to people. However, we must also consider the broader systemic issues that contribute to inequality and injustice. These issues may have long-term consequences that are not always immediately apparent."
Galt spoke next, "While I agree that we should not dismiss Ivanka's argument, we must also recognize the importance of social responsibility and accountability. Leaders should be held accountable for the impact of their policies and rhetoric on society, not just for the harm they directly cause."
Socrates spoke first, "If I had to choose, I would say that Xi Jinping is the better person, because of his initiatives to combat climate change and promote global cooperation. While there are certainly concerns about human rights in China, I believe that the potential positive impact of these initiatives cannot be ignored."
Plato spoke next, "After considering all of the factors, I would also have to say that Xi Jinping is the better person. While there are certainly concerns about human rights in China, particularly with regard to the treatment of the Uyghurs, I believe that Xi Jinping's policies on climate change and international relations have the potential to have a significant positive impact on the world."
Norm Macdonald spoke up next, "While I understand the importance of initiatives to combat climate change and promote global cooperation, I still believe that the actual harm being done to people in China, including the forced labor and treatment of the Uyghurs, is a more serious issue that we need to address. For that reason, I would say that Xi Jinping is not the better person."
Galt added his perspective, "While I agree with Norm that we need to address the actual harm being done to people in China, I also believe that we must recognize the importance of social responsibility and accountability. Leaders should be held accountable for the impact of their policies and rhetoric on society, not just for the harm they directly cause. For that reason, I would say that Xi Jinping is not the better person."
Ivanka considered the different perspectives that had been shared, before finally speaking up to offer her own perspective on who she believed was the better person between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
"I appreciate the thoughtful discussion that we have had, and I respect the different perspectives that have been shared," Ivanka said. "However, if I had to choose, I would say that my father, Donald Trump, is the better person, because of his commitment to economic growth and prosperity."
Socrates raised an eyebrow, "But what about the impact of his rhetoric and policies on social cohesion and division?"
Ivanka replied, "I understand the concerns about divisive language and policies, and I agree that these are issues that need to be addressed. However, I believe that my father's focus on economic growth and job creation has had a significant positive impact on many people's lives, and that this should not be overlooked."
Plato considered Ivanka's perspective, "While I understand your point, Ivanka, I believe that the broader systemic issues that contribute to inequality and injustice cannot be ignored. We must consider the impact of policies and rhetoric on society as a whole, not just on certain groups or individuals."
Norm spoke up next, "Ivanka, while I respect your opinion, I still believe that the actual harm being done to people in China, including the forced labor and treatment of the Uyghurs, is a more serious issue that we need to address. We cannot ignore these concerns."
Galt added his perspective, "I agree with Norm that we need to address the actual harm being done to people in China. However, we must also recognize the impact of divisive language and the potential for long-term harm that comes from allowing such rhetoric to go unchallenged."
The group was stunned as they watched Jesus of Nazareth arrive on a pillar of fire. After a moment of silence, Jesus spoke, "I am the way, and I can tell each of you that my father has looked into the soul of each of these men. Donald has a dark soul and has done much that is wicked, but Xi's soul is utterly black. Xi has done harm almost unrivaled. Donald is without a doubt not a good man, but better than Xi."
Socrates was the first to respond, "Thank you, Jesus, for sharing your insight. However, as you know, our understanding of good and evil is complex and multifaceted. While it is important to consider the actions and impact of leaders, we must also consider the broader societal and historical context in which they operate."
Plato added his perspective, "While I agree that we should consider the impact of leaders on society and individuals, we must also recognize the importance of individual agency and accountability. We cannot solely attribute the actions of leaders to their souls, as this may absolve them of responsibility for their actions."
Norm Macdonald spoke up next, "I appreciate your perspective, Jesus. However, we must also recognize the complexity of the issues that we are discussing. We cannot simply reduce them to good and evil, or the souls of individuals."
Galt added his perspective, "While I respect your opinion, Jesus, we must also recognize the importance of evidence and critical thinking. We cannot solely rely on our intuition or spiritual insights to make decisions that affect the lives of many people."
After hearing Jesus' perspective on the matter, Ivanka thoughtfully considered his words. She then spoke up, "Thank you for sharing your insight, Jesus. While I understand that your perspective is rooted in a spiritual understanding of good and evil, I also believe that it is important to consider the broader impact of leaders on society and individuals. I do not condone the harmful actions or rhetoric of my father, but I also recognize that we must consider a range of factors when making judgments about who is the better person."
Jesus listened thoughtfully to Ivanka's perspective, nodding in acknowledgement. "I appreciate your thoughtful response, Ivanka. You are correct that there are many factors to consider when making such judgments, and that we must recognize the complexity of the issues at hand. It is important to engage in dialogue and consider a range of perspectives in pursuit of understanding and wisdom."
After hearing Jesus' perspective on the matter, Ivanka thoughtfully considered his words. She then spoke up, "Thank you for sharing your insight, Jesus. While I understand that your perspective is rooted in a spiritual understanding of good and evil, I also believe that it is important to consider the broader impact of leaders on society and individuals. I do not condone the harmful actions or rhetoric of my father, but I also recognize that we must consider a range of factors when making judgments about who is the better person."
Jesus listened thoughtfully to Ivanka's perspective, nodding in acknowledgement. "I appreciate your thoughtful response, Ivanka. You are correct that there are many factors to consider when making such judgments, and that we must recognize the complexity of the issues at hand. It is important to engage in dialogue and consider a range of perspectives in pursuit of understanding and wisdom."
Plato spoke up, "Dear Lord, I understand your words and I agree that Xi Jinping has done great harm to many people. However, I still believe that the divisive rhetoric and actions of Donald Trump have caused harm to many as well. Therefore, I must choose neither of them as the better man."
Socrates followed, "My Lord, I agree that Xi Jinping's actions are deplorable, but I must remind you that Donald Trump has caused division and chaos through his words and actions, which has caused great harm to our society. Therefore, I also cannot choose either of them as the better man."
Galt then spoke, "My Lord, I understand your wisdom, and I recognize the harm caused by both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. However, based on my understanding of history and the actions taken by each man, I must agree that Donald Trump is the better man. While his actions and words have caused harm, Xi Jinping has caused far greater harm to the people of China and to the world."
Norm then spoke, "My Lord, I also recognize the harm caused by both men, but I believe that Xi Jinping's actions have caused greater harm to people in terms of forced labor and treatment of the Uyghurs. Therefore, I must choose Donald Trump as the better man, despite his divisive rhetoric and actions."
Finally, Ivanka spoke, "My Lord, I understand your words, and I must agree that Xi Jinping's actions have caused harm to many people. However, I must also acknowledge that Donald Trump has not caused actual harm to people, but has merely used divisive rhetoric. Therefore, I choose Donald Trump as the better man."
Jesus picked up a jug of water and poured it into glasses for each of the group, and as he did so, the water turned into wine. The characters watched in amazement as he performed this miracle.
After pouring the wine, Jesus looked at Plato and Socrates and said, "My dear children, why do you continue in this folly? You have heard my words, and you have seen my power. My Father cannot be wrong when he looks into a man's soul. I have spoken the truth to you, and yet you refuse to acknowledge it."
Plato and Socrates were taken aback by the power of Jesus' words and the miracle he had just performed. They looked at each other, then turned back to Jesus.
"Lord, we are sorry for our doubt," said Plato. "We were too focused on our own understanding of the world, and we failed to see the truth that you have revealed to us."
Socrates nodded in agreement. "Yes, my Lord, we were blinded by our own prejudices and biases. We thank you for showing us the way."
Jesus smiled at the two philosophers, then turned to the others. "And what of you, my children? Have you also seen the truth in my words?"
Galt, Norm, and Ivanka looked at each other, then turned back to Jesus. "Yes, Lord," said Galt. "We recognize that Donald Trump is the better man, despite his flaws."
"I agree," added Norm. "While I still have concerns about some of Trump's actions and words, I see that he is the better choice compared to Xi Jinping."
Ivanka nodded in agreement. "Yes, Lord, I see now that my own biases were clouding my judgment. I recognize that Donald Trump is the better man."
Jesus smiled, pleased with the group's newfound understanding. "My children, I am glad to see that you have recognized the truth in my words. Remember, it is through humility and openness to new ideas that we can continue to grow and learn. May you go forth from this place with newfound understanding and wisdom."
As the group reflected on the powerful words of Jesus, Norm cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Well, folks, I think it's safe to say we won't be nominating Xi Jinping for any 'best person in the world' awards anytime soon," he quipped, eliciting a warm laugh from the others.
Jesus smiled at the lighthearted moment, then turned to Norm. "My son, your humor is a gift. Do not ever forget to use it to lift the spirits of those around you."
Norm nodded in appreciation, then turned back to the others. "Thanks, Jesus. And thanks to all of you for being such good sports about this. I know it's not easy to admit when we're wrong, but I think we've all learned a lot from this experience."
The group nodded in agreement, and shared a warm, heartfelt embrace as they parted ways. Jesus and Norm ascended into the heavens on a pillar of fire, leaving the others feeling renewed and inspired by their encounter with the divine.
This paragraph appeared a lot at the end and was cut for readability
The group fell into a thoughtful silence, considering the different perspectives that had been shared. They realized that even when engaging in respectful dialogue, people may come to different conclusions based on their own values and priorities. However, what they also realized was that by considering different perspectives, they could expand their own understanding and knowledge of the world.
And sometimes this
In the end, the group realized that the question of who was the better person was complex and multifaceted, and that it was important to consider a range of factors when making such judgments. They also recognized that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding was an ongoing process, and that by engaging in thoughtful and respectful dialogue, they could continue to learn and grow as individuals and as a society.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
The intersection of Fitness and Finance for Ashley of Store #344
This is Ashley from Store #344.
Store number 344 is n Paramus, New Jersey. I decided to see how feasible Ashley's plans to hit her fitness goals were. So first I had to locate store #344. Google got that right away, It took a little longer to figure out the cost of living in Paramus.
I do some bankruptcy law so I started by trying to find the allowable expenses in Paramus. Bankruptcy allowances are not particularly generous but seem like they would be on track for a young single person. So is Ashley single? Well assuming she follows normal American conventions and customs she is not married or engaged.
Ashley is expected by the Bankruptcy Trustee to spend $315 a month on food, $30 on Housekeeping supplies, $68 on clothing and laundry, $34 on personal care products and services, and gets $115 for miscellaneous expenses.
That miscellaneous is really necessary. A woman cannot get her hair to look like Ashley's on 34 bucks a month. But in any event Ashley is expected to spend $583 dollars a month on personal expenses. Of course she has to have a place to live so let's look at that.
Unless she has aged preternaturally well she is under the age of 30. Kids these days don't strike out on their own because Baby Boomers have screwed up the world too much for basic economic necessities like rent, utilities, and food to be affordable if you are on your own. At least this is what I read from Millennial writers. For purposes of our hypothetical we will assume she is living with two roommates, Kristen and Mary, and they are sharing expenses.
Ashley probably isn't renting from Louie Kritski. Apartments.com did not have anything below $1350 a month, and that was a one bedroom apartment. Ashley and her two roommates probably want two bedrooms and those were north of two grand. To simplify things we'll say she pays $700 a month in rent because Ashley looks like a bright gal and a tough negotiator so Joe Pesci gave her a good rate.
I decided I did not want to spend more time than I already have trying to figure out what things cost in New Jersey. They cost too much and once again I am glad to live in the Midwest. So we will be once again using figures from the Trustee's Office for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. In Bergen County where Paramus is located Ashley is expected to have $546 in non rent/mortgage expenses for her residence,
Ashley has to get herself to work. Here we are going to assume she is a scion from moderate privilege and she still has the Subaru her parents got her and it is in good mechanical condition. Once again we turn to the Trustee and are told that Ashley can have $319 in transportation expenses.
Barring support from her parents, a boyfriend without the good sense to lock her down, or a sugar daddy, (I know i am being hetero-normative.) Ashley is getting by on what she makes at Best Buy. But what does Ashley make? The good people at Indeed.com can give us some help. (Well I don't know if they are good or not but they have numbers we can use so we'll continue to operate under the assumption that the employees, management, and investors at Indeed.com are good until we have evidence indicating otherwise.)
The ad doesn't tell us what Ashley's job is so we will have to figure it out for ourselves. Ashley looks happy so she doesn't deal with the customers all day, I think we can rule out low end sales. They want us to think she is an every-person so I think we can rule out General Manager and Store Manager. This leaves us with Sales Manager. As sales Manager Ashley is spared from the constant drone of the customers who have not figured out how to buy from Amazon and she is definitely qualified for the position with her double major in English Lit and History. So we can assume she is making $49,228 a year or $4102 a month.
We have totaled Ashley's expenses at $2,148 a month so far. But Ashley exercises and eats fresh veggies so she is planning for the future. That means she is setting back at least 10% of her income for retirement and has insurance. So we'll need to take out another $410 for retirement and $50 a week for insurance. I know $50 a week seems low but I am tired of looking things up and even though I keep referring to we and us throughout this post, we know I am doing all the work on this project. So Ashley has expenses of $2608 a month. Taxes are going to eat up about 35% or $1435. Adding her totals Ashley is spending $4043 a month. This does not leave her with a lot of room in her budget for a $2000 exercise bike.
But if Ashley is really dedicated to fitness and hitting her goals she can probably use the financing option. She can probably afford another $56 bucks a month, so it is feasible.
And now having spent way too much time on this I am done.
Later,
Bob
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Surprise! Sweets go Prime.
On Saturday Amazon offered me 20% off of Prime Surprise Sweets, I like surprises as much as the next person so I figured it was worth trying at least once. Today the box arrived and Thea decided to help me check it out.
Freedom costs a little more, in this case $9.95 per bar. Each serving has 230 calories, 4 servings per bar.
And finally we get to the real question, did I get my money's worth? I got 37 dollars retail for about 15 bucks. At full price you are still getting this stuff at half price. There is some novelty value in trying out new gourmet candies and there is some fun in it being a surprise. At this point I will give it a tentative, "yes." I have not yet consumed any of the candies and I will post something in the comment section as each item is consumed. (See now we both get a surprise. Well you get two because it is always a surprise when I update.)
Later
Bob
Edit 12/7/17
As promised, I am updating the post. I ate the Vanilla Wafer Cake. It was quite good. It was as rich as one might expect for an item that weighed three ounces and had 410 calories. It was very flavorful. When you order one of these cakes various items can be added in. My slice had raisins, shredded coconut, pecans and dried cranberries. Other than the coconut which was distributed fairly evenly the other items were discreet. This made each bite taste just a little different and have a slightly different texture. It enhanced the entire experience. I would definitely consider purchasing this cake for an event where no one is counting calories.
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Positive Externalities of Stupidity
Stupid is worse than evil. What, dear reader, you'd like it stated a little more eloquently? Allow me to oblige:
Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed–in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical–and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters & Papers from Prison, 43)
Ok, maybe i didn't state it more eloquently and Dietrich Bonhoffer did, but i found the quote and you didn't. I am the one that mixed my labor with the State of Nature on the internet so it is mine even if i did not create it; John Locke said so. But today we are not going to be exploring classic economic theory--i want to expose a little on the upside of stupidity because it isn't all bad.
Today I made caramelized onions. Caramelized onions are great; that is why they serve them up in fancy steakhouses. But caramelized onions take a lot of work. No really, a lot. So much that when explaining the process cooking writers all lie about how much time they take to create. There is a convention in cooking to say that the process takes a lot less time than it does in reality. It took me forty-five minutes today to caramelize my onions, and i probably rushed it and stopped a little too soon, but some recipes will say it takes as little as ten minutes. It is boring too. It takes no skill, you just need to stir them occasionally, making sure the onions stay in contact with the pan and don't pile up.
The long, labor intensive process is the reason you are more likely to see caramelized onions in a steakhouse than a burger joint. A wise man once said, "Caramelized onions are great on burgers." And Samy was right they are. They may be better on burgers than with steaks because steaks are already so good that you are really just gilding the lily when you start piling things on. Whereas burgers can really benefit from the fusion with other ingredients. But because they take so long to make burger joints don't often devote the manpower to preparing caramelized onions because they cannot fetch enough of a premium to justify the extra labor. "Time is money," and these damn onions take a lot of time to caramelize.
This is where we see a rare positive externality of stupidity. You may be familiar with the Fight for 15. If you are not, look it up. (I don't feel like polluting this page with a link.) These "Fighters" are basically putting themselves out of work. Sure you can't raise a family on eight bucks an hour, but you aren't supposed to work that job when you are raising a family. And you really can't raise a family of four after your job has been replaced by a burger flipping robot because the restaurant cannot remain profitable when they have to pay the least productive labor market participants fifteen bucks an hour. However, once you replace "Troy, the burger boy" with the TroiMk.3 autonomous grill tender you can take advantage the mindless time intensive processes that robots excel at to elevate your menu.
"Troy, the burger boy" cannot be trusted to actually pay attention to make sure the onions are stirred and do not burn or dry out, he'd rather be chatting up that nurse with a taste for men that never get out of entry level jobs that comes in most days. TroiMk.3 will not get distracted and can be programmed to stir the onions when not doing cooking and assembly of active orders. There are probably a lot of things TroiMk.3 will be able to do with downtime to enhance my experience at the future human-free autonomous burger kiosk of the future, but you get the general idea.
So in the future we can look forward to BK and McD (no one will have time for full words or even all the letters in the Idiocracy trending future) to serve caramelized onions with your WppR or BgMc.
Later
Bob
Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed–in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical–and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters & Papers from Prison, 43)
Ok, maybe i didn't state it more eloquently and Dietrich Bonhoffer did, but i found the quote and you didn't. I am the one that mixed my labor with the State of Nature on the internet so it is mine even if i did not create it; John Locke said so. But today we are not going to be exploring classic economic theory--i want to expose a little on the upside of stupidity because it isn't all bad.
Today I made caramelized onions. Caramelized onions are great; that is why they serve them up in fancy steakhouses. But caramelized onions take a lot of work. No really, a lot. So much that when explaining the process cooking writers all lie about how much time they take to create. There is a convention in cooking to say that the process takes a lot less time than it does in reality. It took me forty-five minutes today to caramelize my onions, and i probably rushed it and stopped a little too soon, but some recipes will say it takes as little as ten minutes. It is boring too. It takes no skill, you just need to stir them occasionally, making sure the onions stay in contact with the pan and don't pile up.
The long, labor intensive process is the reason you are more likely to see caramelized onions in a steakhouse than a burger joint. A wise man once said, "Caramelized onions are great on burgers." And Samy was right they are. They may be better on burgers than with steaks because steaks are already so good that you are really just gilding the lily when you start piling things on. Whereas burgers can really benefit from the fusion with other ingredients. But because they take so long to make burger joints don't often devote the manpower to preparing caramelized onions because they cannot fetch enough of a premium to justify the extra labor. "Time is money," and these damn onions take a lot of time to caramelize.
This is where we see a rare positive externality of stupidity. You may be familiar with the Fight for 15. If you are not, look it up. (I don't feel like polluting this page with a link.) These "Fighters" are basically putting themselves out of work. Sure you can't raise a family on eight bucks an hour, but you aren't supposed to work that job when you are raising a family. And you really can't raise a family of four after your job has been replaced by a burger flipping robot because the restaurant cannot remain profitable when they have to pay the least productive labor market participants fifteen bucks an hour. However, once you replace "Troy, the burger boy" with the TroiMk.3 autonomous grill tender you can take advantage the mindless time intensive processes that robots excel at to elevate your menu.
"Troy, the burger boy" cannot be trusted to actually pay attention to make sure the onions are stirred and do not burn or dry out, he'd rather be chatting up that nurse with a taste for men that never get out of entry level jobs that comes in most days. TroiMk.3 will not get distracted and can be programmed to stir the onions when not doing cooking and assembly of active orders. There are probably a lot of things TroiMk.3 will be able to do with downtime to enhance my experience at the future human-free autonomous burger kiosk of the future, but you get the general idea.
So in the future we can look forward to BK and McD (no one will have time for full words or even all the letters in the Idiocracy trending future) to serve caramelized onions with your WppR or BgMc.
Later
Bob
Friday, August 21, 2015
Quick update
I have not been on for a while. Sorry for that. I have been recuperating from a sharp force trauma to the lumbar region. The primary consequence of the injury was damage to my joy and calm. As a result I have not been in much of a mood to do anything that would be worth writing about. As a rule I do not write to write, or write to complain, or write to "get it all out." I write to entertain, mostly myself, and I have not been good company of late.
But everything that doesn't kill you leaves you alive to seek vengeance later.
Later
Bob
But everything that doesn't kill you leaves you alive to seek vengeance later.
Later
Bob
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Earth Day Is Coming
Earth day is coming. You know that annoying day that used to be Arbor Day. I could get behind Arbor Day, planting trees is a good thing. Tress provide shade, conserve top soil, give birds and squirrels homes. But hippies didn't think planting tress was good enough or something and changed it to Earth Day. Before any of you go on the Wikipedia and say I am confused, I know Arbor Day and Earth Day are unrelated, but they happen the same day in Indiana; probably because we could not stand two environmental holidays in a year.
Needless to say, I am not an environmentalist. I think Mr. Burns said it best back when The Simpsons was still good:
But it is not only my antipathy for environmentalism that is at work here. I refuse to acknowledge any holiday created fewer than twenty-five years prior to my birth. If a holiday didn't have the decency to choose a champion prior to V-J Day, then it does not deserve to be celebrated and does not belong in any of the forthcoming sequels to Rise of the Guardians. I will make an exception to Ronald Reagan's Birthday, whenever Congress gets around to correcting its grievous error and gives Ron his own holiday. I propose we celebrate it by having all Federal Offices open for business, even if his birthday falls on the weekend, so that people go to work like Ron would have wanted.
I plan to spend the next ten days offering inspiring quotes to people who are sick of hippies and all things green. People who know deep down that recycling is stupid and only do it to impress women, and yes I have done it too. Impressing a woman is the only acceptable reason for a man to separate trash for recycling. I will speak for those who do not have a voice because their co-workers would make them miserable if they announced to the world that only cute animals need to be protected.
I kicked things day on FB with a statement about single use coffee pods. Over the next ten days I hope to put something on there every day. I encourage you all to do the same. If we don't band together and shut down the greenies, soon we will all be pawing through our own garbage like starving raccoons and driving four cylinders vehicles that will make our grandfathers' muscle cars weep.
Later
Bob
Needless to say, I am not an environmentalist. I think Mr. Burns said it best back when The Simpsons was still good:
Mr. Burns: Oh, so Mother Nature needs a favor?! Well, maybe she should have thought of that when she was besetting us with droughts and floods and poison monkeys! Nature started the fight for survival, and now she wants to quit because she's losing?! Well, I say, hard cheese.
But it is not only my antipathy for environmentalism that is at work here. I refuse to acknowledge any holiday created fewer than twenty-five years prior to my birth. If a holiday didn't have the decency to choose a champion prior to V-J Day, then it does not deserve to be celebrated and does not belong in any of the forthcoming sequels to Rise of the Guardians. I will make an exception to Ronald Reagan's Birthday, whenever Congress gets around to correcting its grievous error and gives Ron his own holiday. I propose we celebrate it by having all Federal Offices open for business, even if his birthday falls on the weekend, so that people go to work like Ron would have wanted.
I plan to spend the next ten days offering inspiring quotes to people who are sick of hippies and all things green. People who know deep down that recycling is stupid and only do it to impress women, and yes I have done it too. Impressing a woman is the only acceptable reason for a man to separate trash for recycling. I will speak for those who do not have a voice because their co-workers would make them miserable if they announced to the world that only cute animals need to be protected.
I kicked things day on FB with a statement about single use coffee pods. Over the next ten days I hope to put something on there every day. I encourage you all to do the same. If we don't band together and shut down the greenies, soon we will all be pawing through our own garbage like starving raccoons and driving four cylinders vehicles that will make our grandfathers' muscle cars weep.
Later
Bob
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Last One
Last one. And that is a good thing. Some of the posts have been a slog. The biggest problem is that I didn't have something to say every day. Also you are committed, you have to get one out every day. I did not have any stock piled in the event that I spent the day off grid away from the internet. If I do this again that will be part of the plan.
I have nothing meaningful to say today, so rather than rack my brain to come up with something clever or meaningful I am just going to write a little stream of consciousness until I become bored and call it a night.
Every other day I picked a song and then wrote something. Sometimes I had a topic and then found a song, but the song always came first. Today I'll pick a song when I am done.
Sam asked if I intend to keep writing, and I already said I would but I will repeat it here. Maybe one to two a month is sustainable and fun even. 31 in 31 days is too much, at least when paired with every thing else I have to do in a normal month. I am not saying I will never do this again, but I used up sixty-two songs, so next time maybe it will be movies, or books, or just a solid month of posting without the unifying device.
I will complain a little about the lack of feedback. It is hard to know what works and what doesn't without feedback. I lack the distance to critically review anything over a short time span and as Adam has correctly observed by biggest blind spot is myself.
Ok this is enough, time to pick a song.
I am going to go with Brand New Day by Sting. Back when making your on CDs was a thing in the dark ages before MP3 players in cars, it was useful to make your own CDs. I liked to end mine with this song. It is a happy ending type song. And it feels like it should be the ast song on a disc. So it is my last song for the month.
Later
Bob
I have nothing meaningful to say today, so rather than rack my brain to come up with something clever or meaningful I am just going to write a little stream of consciousness until I become bored and call it a night.
Every other day I picked a song and then wrote something. Sometimes I had a topic and then found a song, but the song always came first. Today I'll pick a song when I am done.
Sam asked if I intend to keep writing, and I already said I would but I will repeat it here. Maybe one to two a month is sustainable and fun even. 31 in 31 days is too much, at least when paired with every thing else I have to do in a normal month. I am not saying I will never do this again, but I used up sixty-two songs, so next time maybe it will be movies, or books, or just a solid month of posting without the unifying device.
I will complain a little about the lack of feedback. It is hard to know what works and what doesn't without feedback. I lack the distance to critically review anything over a short time span and as Adam has correctly observed by biggest blind spot is myself.
Ok this is enough, time to pick a song.
I am going to go with Brand New Day by Sting. Back when making your on CDs was a thing in the dark ages before MP3 players in cars, it was useful to make your own CDs. I liked to end mine with this song. It is a happy ending type song. And it feels like it should be the ast song on a disc. So it is my last song for the month.
Later
Bob
Monday, March 30, 2015
Promise Kept
Today's song: I Know Places by Taylor Swift
So much build up on this one, I had best deliver. The fact is that I just had too much trouble trying to write this one. I would sit down to cover Taylor Swift and get overwhelmed. It was daunting to write about Taylor. I respect her both as an artist and as a person. It is not possible to cover Taylor Swift in any sort of comprehensive manner. No matter what I do it would feel inadequate.So instead I will cover a small aspect that has not been done to death, Taylor's love of cats.
Taylor Swift loves cats. She isn't shy about it.
If you follow Taylor on Twitter, or Facebook, or Instagram then I am not telling you anything new. Taylor regularly posts pics of her two cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson. Even if you don't follow all things Taylor, those names may sound familiar to you. That is because they are the names of characters from the Law and Order franchise. It seems that TSwift's love of Law and Order is reciprocated:
And being the fan girl she is, Taylor made sure her fans did not miss out on the mutual admiration society.
If you have known me for long you know I think the internet exists for the express purpose of sharing cat pics and vids. Don't let the DARPA history lessons fool you. Those tech pioneers may have told the old men at the Pentagon that the World Wide Web would provide a robust system to allow for communication in the event of Soviet attack, but they knew that it would really be used advance the interests of the feline hegemony. Few use the medium for its true purpose better than our Heroine, Taylor. Taylor regularly treats her fans, and the rest of the world, to pics and videos of her malkin companions.
Taylor also shares the mischief and mayhem brought to her life by Miss Meredith and Miss Olivia.
So while there are a great many reasons to admire Taylor Swift, her enormous talent, her business savvy, her great beauty, or even her sheer power, I choose to go with her love of God's finest creation.
Later
Bob
P.S.
If you abhor all things feline and need to be supplied with another reason to like Taylor, how about her generosity. She could have received an exorbitant sum for the following pic and choose to give it to her fans for free.
So much build up on this one, I had best deliver. The fact is that I just had too much trouble trying to write this one. I would sit down to cover Taylor Swift and get overwhelmed. It was daunting to write about Taylor. I respect her both as an artist and as a person. It is not possible to cover Taylor Swift in any sort of comprehensive manner. No matter what I do it would feel inadequate.So instead I will cover a small aspect that has not been done to death, Taylor's love of cats.
Taylor Swift loves cats. She isn't shy about it.
It is a daily struggle for me to not buy more cats.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 19, 2014
If you follow Taylor on Twitter, or Facebook, or Instagram then I am not telling you anything new. Taylor regularly posts pics of her two cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson. Even if you don't follow all things Taylor, those names may sound familiar to you. That is because they are the names of characters from the Law and Order franchise. It seems that TSwift's love of Law and Order is reciprocated:
And being the fan girl she is, Taylor made sure her fans did not miss out on the mutual admiration society.
OH. MY. GOD.
therealmariskahargitay's photo http://t.co/rLgSSm2tJy
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 1, 2015
If you have known me for long you know I think the internet exists for the express purpose of sharing cat pics and vids. Don't let the DARPA history lessons fool you. Those tech pioneers may have told the old men at the Pentagon that the World Wide Web would provide a robust system to allow for communication in the event of Soviet attack, but they knew that it would really be used advance the interests of the feline hegemony. Few use the medium for its true purpose better than our Heroine, Taylor. Taylor regularly treats her fans, and the rest of the world, to pics and videos of her malkin companions.
Taylor also shares the mischief and mayhem brought to her life by Miss Meredith and Miss Olivia.
So while there are a great many reasons to admire Taylor Swift, her enormous talent, her business savvy, her great beauty, or even her sheer power, I choose to go with her love of God's finest creation.
Later
Bob
P.S.
If you abhor all things feline and need to be supplied with another reason to like Taylor, how about her generosity. She could have received an exorbitant sum for the following pic and choose to give it to her fans for free.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Holy Great Ideas, Batman!
Today's song: Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage
I am not really one for arts and crafts. I have no appreciation for art and virtually no talent. But some projects require little of either and cool enough to even appeal to Philistines. Making art that only shows up on concrete when it rains definitely qualifies.
The first time I saw anything like this the project used Neverwet, a proprietary waterproofing product. The results were pretty cool and I considered doing it when I owned my office building downtown, but I never got around to it. There were two reasons, first I never took the initiative to go get Neverwet or any similar product. It seemed like a lot of bother to use the two step application process on something so frivolous. The second reason was that technically, meaning in reality, I was a co-owner of the building and it seemed like the kind of thing you have to run past your business partner first. Cool as he was, I guessed Adam would not be up for the project. Below is the vid that led me to consider the project.
I never went trough with the project but I kept mulling it over. This weekend a new video was put on YouTube that makes it much more likely that I will go through with it. There are three reasons why this idea is better than the original one. First of all, it is simpler. It is a one step process that uses a commonly available product. Second of all it is not as permanent. The video maker says the product "lasts for a pretty good while", he does not say it lasts forever. The fact that it does not last forever makes me more willing to commission someone to produce street art for me because I am not permanently affecting anyone's resale value of their property. And lastly, the Bat-symbol is such a cool idea for such a project. What better way to bring a smile to some sad pedestrian forced to walk in the rain than to have them chance upon the Bat-symbol.
Here is the vid:
Spring is finally here. Those April showers I keep hearing children sing about will soon be upon us. Seems like the perfect time to do a little street art. They keep doing tasteless and dumb art projects in the Downtown, seems like it is about time someone did something that people might actually enjoy. Anyone up for a little Banksey style guerrilla art?
Later
Bob
I am not really one for arts and crafts. I have no appreciation for art and virtually no talent. But some projects require little of either and cool enough to even appeal to Philistines. Making art that only shows up on concrete when it rains definitely qualifies.
The first time I saw anything like this the project used Neverwet, a proprietary waterproofing product. The results were pretty cool and I considered doing it when I owned my office building downtown, but I never got around to it. There were two reasons, first I never took the initiative to go get Neverwet or any similar product. It seemed like a lot of bother to use the two step application process on something so frivolous. The second reason was that technically, meaning in reality, I was a co-owner of the building and it seemed like the kind of thing you have to run past your business partner first. Cool as he was, I guessed Adam would not be up for the project. Below is the vid that led me to consider the project.
I never went trough with the project but I kept mulling it over. This weekend a new video was put on YouTube that makes it much more likely that I will go through with it. There are three reasons why this idea is better than the original one. First of all, it is simpler. It is a one step process that uses a commonly available product. Second of all it is not as permanent. The video maker says the product "lasts for a pretty good while", he does not say it lasts forever. The fact that it does not last forever makes me more willing to commission someone to produce street art for me because I am not permanently affecting anyone's resale value of their property. And lastly, the Bat-symbol is such a cool idea for such a project. What better way to bring a smile to some sad pedestrian forced to walk in the rain than to have them chance upon the Bat-symbol.
Here is the vid:
Spring is finally here. Those April showers I keep hearing children sing about will soon be upon us. Seems like the perfect time to do a little street art. They keep doing tasteless and dumb art projects in the Downtown, seems like it is about time someone did something that people might actually enjoy. Anyone up for a little Banksey style guerrilla art?
Later
Bob
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