…but this quote from the book of Matthew (7:3) has always been a favorite. From the King James Version (1611):
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
A mote is a tiny speck and "beam," in the New International Version, is rendered "plank."
It's a perfect description of Twitter.
Ford and Olfiction, Ford’s fragrance partner on Mach-Eau, says aside from reminding you of gasoline, the fragrance contains notes reminiscent of almondy benzaldehyde, a smell associated with car interiors, and para-Cresol, which provides the rubber smell of tires. Those were further blended with blue ginger, lavender, geranium, and sandalwood for additional smoky, metallic, and rubbery notes. The company also included an “animal element” to give the “impression of horses.”
Pretty much covers all the bases, though.
…a newsletter from Matt Taibbi published on Substack, here:
America’s burgeoning censorship movement had a great week. The White House jumped on board, with a matter-of-fact announcement that it was now helping Facebook flag “problematic posts."
You can read the whole thing at the link.
Now, I'm no fan of Facebook, nor of the "problematic posts" they seem to be speaking of here.
But I am a fan of the 1st Amendment which, loosely translated, says you (the government) shall not screw around with the press.
And this is screwing around, especially since Facebook is currently directly threatened with being broken up or punished in some other way by the Feds, a threat backed by both influential members of Congress and by the Administration's Federal Communications Commission.
This "flagging" should stop, and shame on them.
Among the proposed funding sources that could change is a provision related to IRS enforcement, a controversial subject for Republicans. The idea of plowing $40 billion into increased tax enforcement had become increasingly toxic in the Senate GOP, and its demise leaves negotiators with a gaping revenue hole.
First of all, the idea they want to vote on a bill that hasn't even been written yet is prime horror-show material.
But then the R's not wanting to bolster IRS enforcement seems perfectly on-brand, doesn't it? It's hard to imagine anyone on the D team could have imagined, even, that would sell. Especially since, you know, the former guy.
Do they even care if this makes sense?
The difference between an engineer, a scientist, and a philosopher:
–From The Unemployed Philosophers Guild (a Work Avoidance bonus choice).
"He is one of a number of deposed Saxon kings who lived out their years as monks or hermits as a way of keeping their status."'A hermit is an important and holy person,' said Simons. 'It's an incredibly religious period'."
Scientists, technical journals, government agencies, language style guides, restaurants and grocery stores may have ideas about what to call them, based on differing motives — including getting more people to eat the critters.
And of course all critters have a role to play in our ecology but some, like invasive fish or all manner of insects, while not exactly pests, perhaps, are definitely annoying…
Horizon Insects…is part of Europe’s nascent edible insect scene, which features dozens of bug-based businesses offering cricket chips in the Czech Republic, bug burgers in Germany and Belgian beetle beer. The European Union headquarters in Brussels is also backing research into insect-based proteins as part of a broader sustainable food strategy.
…if it ain't gonna rain no more?
Clean necks all around in Boston, where there's been at least a little rain every day this month so far. Almost as spotless where I am…I vaguely remember a rainless day a while back, last week. It rained here this morning and it's overcast now, high 71º.
Considering what's happening elsewhere maybe I shouldn't be complaining. But it's dreary. Can't deny that.
And not conducive to getting much done. But maybe tomorrow.
