Pocket Universe

Okay, right off the bat, let me assure you that Paul McCartney is not dead. While researching another urban legend that was recently verified as true, I stumbled upon a page which explains the whole “Paul is Dead” urban legend in excruciating detail. (For those who don‘t know, Paul McCartney supposedly died in the middle of the Beatles’ career, and they tried to cover it up, but put various clues in songs and album covers that came out at the time. (For those who don’t know, album covers are the artwork that record albums used to come in. (For those who don’t know, record albums are…ah, forget it.))) In any case, it is an interesting read, especially for people like me who thought the controversy began and ended with the Abbey Road album cover, with a barefoot Paul and a “28 IF” license plate. Apparently the controversy went much deeper than that, although it is unclear how much was coincidence and how much was the Beatles feeding the rumors.

On something of a side note…in a deleted scene from Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace says that there two types of people in the world: Elvis fans, and Beatles fans. Sure, Elvis fans can like the Beatles, and Beatles fans can like Elvis, but no one likes them both equally. Personally, not only am I an Elvis man, but I have a confession to make: I have never puchased a single Beatles album, CD, cassette, or 8-track tape. In fact, I can say with some confidence that I have never listened to an entire Beatles album the whole way through. Shameful, I know.

However, I will say this: When (or if) the entire Beatles collection is available on iTunes, I will buy every album, in order, and listen to each one for…oh, let’s say a month, before getting the next one. I will attempt, in my own limited way, to mimic the experience of a new Beatles fan. I always thought it was interesting how one band went from “Can’t Buy Me Love” to “Let It Be.” I look forward to hearing the progression myself. Someday.

I hope this article, about a cheerleader who is also a rocket scientist, inspires you in some way. It inspired me to realize that smart girls can also be smokin’ hot.

Did you hear about the new pirate movie? It�s rated �Arrrrrrrrrrr!”

As ye well be knowin�, today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! While ye�re at it, ye best be learnin� about the history of how this day came into bein�. Then perhaps you might find some decks to swab, or some timbers to shiver! Yeaarrrrrrghhhh!

For another perspective on our GTA-fueled violent society, you might want to read this article at Game Revolution.

In the wake of recent controversy over the �Hot Coffee” mod for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (which activates a previously-hidden sex scene within the game), the Entertainment Software Rating Board has changed the rating from �M” (Mature 17+) to �AO” (Adults Only 18+). You can read more details of the fallout in this press release.

The upshot of this is that stores which refuse to carry �AO” titles are pulling San Andreas from the shelves. For stores that still want to carry it, Rockstar is providing �AO” stickers to place on current boxes. And Rockstar has downgraded their profit estimates for the next quarter…and they will no doubt be shocked when they soundly beat these estimates, as people rush to buy up every last copy of San Andreas before it gets pulled. I tell you, if I hadn�t thought of this on Tuesday and picked up my own copy of the game, I would feel quite the fool right now.

As for the �hot coffee” issue itself, I don�t think Rockstar is entirely blameless. I mean, yes, accessing the �sex minigame” requires third-party devices to actually modify the code, as it is completely disabled in the normal version of the game. But on the other hand, the minigame was in there in the first place; it would be difficult or impossible to put such a scene in simply through that same kind of device. I think the uproar over the content itself is unwarranted; as someone else pointed out, the sex scene is no more graphic than something you would see on �Sex and the City,” and I don�t think there is any nudity. If someone is going to go through the effort to unlock a poorly-rendered sex scene, they could just as easily (or more easily) obtain actual pornographic material. Still, Rockstar shouldn�t have left that code in. Hopefully this won�t have too many lasting repercussions for the videogame industry.

Let�s see, where to start? First, read this article at iPodLounge which discusses the potentially explicit content on Apple�s podcast directory. (You can also read Jobs� take on the issue at ABC News.) Then for a rebuttal, you can read Parent your own kids! at The Bynk Zone. And finally, scroll down and read the comments, where yours truly makes (I believe) a strong case against Welch�s screed on The Bynk Zone.

Ever heard of John Titor? Me neither. This article details some of the specifics of his visit to our time, along with general advice for other such visitors. Pay special attention to the links early on in the article, as they contain some fascinating information.

Well, the identity of the anonymous lip-syncher (from these two previous entries) has finally been revealed in this New York Times article, �Internet Fame Is Cruel Mistress for a Dancer of the Numa Numa”. Thanks to Mike and Brad for this one.

William F. Buckley talks about the value of oil.

This article is so good, my head literally exploded.

Honestly, what is happening to our society? Brace yourself, then read this article in the Boston Globe. The upshot is that some teachers feel that red is too �harsh” and �aggressive” for students when it is used to correct their papers, so they are starting to use purple instead. Really, I�m not making this up. Here�s a quote from the article:

�A mix of red and blue, the color purple embodies red�s sense of authority, but also blue�s association with serenity, making it a less negative and more constructive color for correcting student papers, color psychologists said. Purple calls attention to itself without being too aggressive. And because the color is linked to creativity and royalty, it is also more encouraging to students.”