Random Thoughts XI: Listen to the Whispers

[AmazonQueen]

That's like the City of London, inside the city of London.

Only 1 of the cities to be found inside London. Theres the City of Westminster too.

 

[Kyriakos]

Given this is a coastal city, and most of the population lives close to the coast as well, it isn't rare to have seagulls wandering near the densely populated areas. But it was the first time I saw a seagull so close, something like half a kilometer from the sea. It was on top of a car and I walked next to it (half a meter away).
That thing was massive I knew that adult seagulls are larger than crows, but still, I was impressed. It certainly could kill and eat a whole cat.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

It certainly could kill and eat a whole cat.

Whoa what are the seagulls smoking in Greece?

 

[Arakhor]

Every time they get disappointed by Greek seaside cuisine, they each do ONE push-up.

 

[Kyriakos]

Whoa what are the seagulls smoking in Greece?

They are known to be voracious, everywhere.

 

[The_J]

Holy hell.
Looks like a good start for a b-class horror movie.

 

[Zkribbler]

Holy hell.
Looks like a good start for a b-class horror movie.

Coincidentally two days ago, satellite T.V. here played Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. The first attack was upon Tippi Hendren by a seagull.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Someone on the radio observed that, if you live in the right part of Boston, you have a black woman Mayor, a black woman District Attorney, and a black woman in the House of Representatives.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Males have nipples because in embryos the genetic coding action for nipples begins before the genetic coding for gender.

At conception two sets of genes are combined; our physical symmetry is a reflection of how well those two sets of genes combine and work together. Hence, in looking for mates we (our lizard brain) naturally seek out symmetry.

Mirror neurons have been linked to how once we have done something, watching others do it triggers the same brain responses as if we were doing it again. That is likely why people love watching sports and other spectator activities. It is also a quick path for transferring knowledge.

 

[Samson]

Males have nipples because in embryos the genetic coding action for nipples begins before the genetic coding for gender.

Eh? When did sex evolve = 2 billion years ago. When did mammals evolve = 178 million years ago.

At conception two sets of genes are combined; our physical symmetry is a reflection of how well those two sets of genes combine and work together. Hence, in looking for mates we (our lizard brain) naturally seek out symmetry.

Orthodox theory has our attraction to symmetry being because disease indicates less fitness and disease causes asymmetry.

Mirror neurons have been linked to how once we have done something, watching others do it triggers the same brain responses as if we were doing it again. That is likely why people love watching sports and other spectator activities. It is also a quick path for transferring knowledge.

I am convinced the reason I like watching snooker is because I can predict the shots, even if I could not make the shots. It is my favourite sport to watch, I prefer pool to play as I can actually make some of the shots.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Eh? When did sex evolve = 2 billion years ago. When did mammals evolve = 178 million years ago.

In human embryos apparently, nipples genes start earlier than gender genes.

 

[Samson]

In human embryos apparently, nipples genes start earlier than gender genes.

I have failed to find a categorical answer, but I think you are right. The SRY pathway starts around 10 dpc in mice, which I think is before the equivalent of 35th day of gestation in humans.

 

[Kyriakos]

I think that, job-wise, I am being transformed to something like a pensioner who waits for his pay while doing some minor work to avoid becoming dangerously rusty: all I have to do is wait for days to pass so that people buy the two seminars, and secure me a cut. It is a peaceful work. I only have to edit some texts I get sent (writing exercises) and speak online once a month for an hour and a half (this is new, and I don't like it) to some of the students.
I hope this can last for at least a few years.

 

[Takhisis]

something like a pensioner who waits for his pay while doing some minor work to avoid becoming dangerously rusty

Have you considered running for political office?

 

[Kyriakos]

Have you considered running for political office?

That would be the last profession to suit me. Even worse than translator.

 

[Zkribbler]

I think that, job-wise, I am being transformed to something like a pensioner who waits for his pay while doing some minor work to avoid becoming dangerously rusty:

That's meeeeeeeeee!

 

[Takhisis]

That would be the last profession to suit me. Even worse than translator.

Then you could be a politician's aide. No liability or bad publicity and a golden handshake.

 

[Kyriakos]

Then you could be a politician's aide. No liability or bad publicity and a golden handshake.

That requires one to actually have politician relatives or friends. I don't.
I am not particularly inclined to be a parasite either...

 

[Birdjaguar]

The Best Coupon for Freebies Is Your Vaccination Card

People with the shot jump on deals for Krispy Kreme, fries, arcade tokens

BY CHARLES PASSY

For many Americans, getting the coronavirus vaccine is a reward unto itself. But for Patricia Fasnacht, the shot has come with a sugary bonus.

Ever since receiving her first injection of the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month, Ms. Fasnacht, a 62year-old resident of High Point, N.C., has taken advantage of a promotion by the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp., which recently announced it is offering a free daily donut through the end of 2021 at its U.S. locations to those who show their Covid-19 vaccination card. Ms. Fasnacht says she has already made a couple of visits and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. “After being in my house for a year, I am happy to get out and have a sweet treat,” she says. Officials with the North Caro-

lina-based chain, which is part of JAB Holding Co. and has 369 locations across the U.S., estimate the company doled out 125,000 donuts tied to the promotion during the first 96 hours.

The push to get shots in arms has morphed into a kind of freebie frenzy, with businesses ranging from marijuana dispensaries to arcades promoting giveaways. The companies say the idea is to support the country’s vaccination program at a critical time during its rollout—and if a side effect is a boost for business, all the better. In Israel, municipalities have given out free drinks, pizza and cholent, a traditional beef stew, as an enticement. In Dubai, some restaurants have offered discounts of up to 20% for those who have received their shots.

Greenhouse of Walled Lake, a marijuana dispensary in Walled Lake, Mich., is offering customers a free pre-rolled joint, with an estimated value of $10, for those who show proof of vaccination.

Jerry Millen, owner of the dispensary, says he has given away at least 6,000 joints as part of his “Pot for Shots” promotion, which is being done in conjunction with the UBaked Cannabis Company, a marijuana processor and grower. (Mr. Millen also considered calling the deal “Pokes for Tokes.”) Mr. Millen says he sees the deal as part of his ongoing campaign to “normalize cannabis,” which was approved by Michigan voters for recreational use in 2018.

William Stevens, a resident of Sterling Heights, Mich., is racking up the deals while he can. With his proof of vaccination, he scored his free joint at Greenhouse of Walled Lake and this past week he stopped in for a free donut at his local Krispy Kreme.

“I know a gift when I see it,” he says. Mr. Stevens, 72 years old, says he is hoping for even more with his vaccine card. “What would really rock my boat is free golf,” he says.

Some have questioned if the Krispy Kreme promotion is sending a contradictory message, since eating too many donuts arguably goes against the idea of safeguarding health. Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, says if you took advantage of the Krispy Kreme offer every day and made no other changes to diet or lifestyle, you would pack on an extra 15 pounds by year’s end.

Dr. Wen adds that she isn’t opposed to sugary fare as an occasional treat. “I like donuts,” she says. But she would prefer the Krispy Kreme offer be a one-time deal, perhaps with a box of donuts going to an organization or charity of a vaccinated individual’s choice so they can avoid the constant overindulgence.

Dave Skena, chief marketing officer of Krispy Kreme, says the chain isn’t necessarily expecting people to take advantage of the donut offer daily. Rather, he says, the idea is that the donut is available to them when convenient as a sometime sweet. An Original Glazed has 190 calories, the company says on its website. The promotion is about giving people “a little pat on the back,” Mr. Skena says.

There’s also cheesecake. “We need people to be vaccinated. We need this to be over,” says Alan Rosen, the third-generation owner of Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery, a New York City-based brand famous for its cheesecake.

On Monday, March 29, the company begins offering customers who have been vaccinated a free mini cheesecake at its original location in Brooklyn.

Back of the House, a restaurant company in San Francisco, is offering vaccinated customers free fries at some of its Super Duper Burgers locations and free chips and salsa at its Uno Dos Tacos restaurant. “It’s a fun way to spread awareness,” says Jonathan Banasky, the company’s marketing manager. Mr. Banasky adds that the participating restaurants are close to the Moscone Center, the convention center that is serving as a major San Francisco vaccination site, so he expects a few customers might take advantage of the offers right after receiving their shot.

Up-Down, a Midwest chain of arcades with bars, is offering vaccinated customers a deal of $5 in free tokens for game play. David Hayden, communications manager for Up-Down, says the promotion is meant to serve as incentive to get people to be around some other people. “We’re coming out of a really rough year,” he says. Up-Down had to temporarily close locations because of pandemic restrictions. Alycia Gionet, 33, a regular at Up-Down’s location in Oklahoma City, paid a recent visit to the establishment without even realizing her vaccination status got her the $5 bonus. But she says she was happy to take advantage of it.

“I’m carrying this card and I get free tokens?” she said. Ms. Gionet used her free play to perfect her skills at one of her favorite arcade games, Point Blank 2. “I crushed it.”

 

[Kyriakos]

Ιν the λανδ of the blind, the one-eyed is king. It is good that the seminars make so good an impression - going also by the published comments... - but in so theoretical and boundless a subject (literature) I can't avoid feeling that this isn't important.
I'd rather prove something using busy beaver champions (some type of Turing machine, arranged to be an isomorphism for known open questions). But given I may never do that, at least I should be content with the money