I recently wrote:

I have long held the view that when alien space explorers assess Earth (or any planet) to determine its relative level of civilization, they will study fashion.

And, as if on cue, this post arrives. (Just click through.)

Cowboy Chachi Loves You Best

Howard Bloom should be proud.

Read A Book!

Giant feral pigs have long been the stuff of rural legends. And now they are the stuff of faked photos and gullible journalism...

Those who piled on to this story last weekend may be interested. Others, not so much.

HOG WASHED!

The reality is that, despite fears that our children are "pumped full of chemicals" everything is made of chemicals, down to the proteins, hormones and genetic materials in our cells.

And although some fret about the "cocktails" of chemicals we are exposed to, a potent brew of complex chemicals is present in a humble cup of tea — which contains healthy polyphenols, for example.

This is even better than the last story about politicians winning the mid term election, because it's not supposed to be a joke!

Telegraph | News | 'The reality is that everything is made of chemicals'

"It looks like politicians are poised to dominate the political discourse of the country for years to come," said analyst Maria Lawson of the Free Enterprise Institute.

"While it's still too early to tell, after the success of this election, it might not be too long before we see another politician in the White House."

Politicians Sweep Midterm Elections

Quick and funny, at Ahmadinejad's expense. What's not to like?

My friends, I am a simple man. That is why you elected me. I have never been anywhere other than our beloved country. I actually haven’t even been to that many places here in our beloved country. I have pretty much been here in my beloved house, non-stop, since the seventies. In my beloved room. With the door locked. Having nightmares in which Hulk Hogan is waiting outside my room—look, as for Hulk Hogan, do not mention his name ever again! He will be referred to, if we even need to refer to him, which I doubt, as “Blond Blondie, Big Blondie!” In this way, we will disrespect him! In this way, he will be driven from my dreams! No more sneaking up behind me, “Blond Blondie, Big Blondie!,” and putting me in a headlock, and I am naked, and have forgotten to study for all my exams!

PROCLAMATION | Shouts and Murmurs in The New Yorker

Katie Hafner is getting a little silly with the reporting these days ...

Mr. Smith is all too aware of his wife's mounting disapproval of his routine and suspects that a laptop-in-bed ban could be imminent.

"You kind of want the bed to be a sacred space," she said.

Mr. Anderson, a senior researcher at Intel Research, has found more technology ending up in the bedroom.

"It's kind of like a vibrating 24/7 secretary."

Laptop Slides Into Bed in Love Triangle

I always liked this skit.

Warner: I'm sorry, but, uh.. why does the jingle say that our candy bar is bad?

Dan Sinaki: [ confused ] Come again?

Executive #1: You seem to be saying that Nut-rific doesn't taste good.

Bruce Riley: Ah ... and who exactly is saying that?

Executive #1: Well ... you are. The jingle says "Nut-rific is not very good."

Bruce Riley: Wha ...? Oh!

[ Bruce and Dan laugh at the comic misunderstanding ]

Dan Sinaki: No, no, no, no, no, no, no! No, no, no! No! No. It's ... nut-very good. It's ... nut... very good.

[ they continue to laugh ]

Bruce Riley: It's like it's ... nut-tastic! Or, or ... nut-licious! But this is "It's nut-very good."

It's Nut Very Good | SNL

Every time Bruce Schneier smiles, an amateur cryptographer dies.

Everybody Loves Eric Raymond - Bruce Schneier Facts

My neighbours are stealing my wireless internet access. I could encrypt it or alternately I could have fun.

Upside-Down-Ternet