Links for July 23rd through July 28th

This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on July 28, 2009). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.

Sometime between July 23rd and July 28th, I thought this stuff was interesting. You might think so too!

  • Sarah Palin’s Farewell Address — Full Transcript: I hadn't actually read this until just now, but it's a piece of work. Not a good piece of work, mind you. In fact, the best way to get a feel for it is through one of the best bits I've ever seen from the Conan O'Brien show: William Shatner reading from Palin's farewell speech. The perfect combination of performer and source material.
  • UW Probability Forecast: "No weather forecast is perfect; when a forecaster provides information about tomorrow's high temperature, there is a certain amount of inaccuracy implied in the figure. Variations in elevation, geography and terrain, in addition to the inherently unpredictable nature of the weather, all contribute to these inaccuracies. However, while any well-considered forecast attempts to land as close to the truth as possible, traditional weather forecasts include no information relating to just how accurate they can expect to be, or the likelihood of an outcome that, while not the most probable eventuality, could still have a significant chance of happening. The UW probcast web site attempts to address these omissions."
  • #EAFail Link Roundup: "#EAFail is a total clusterfuck of misogyny and pandering to the lowest common denominator. Here are a bunch of resources on it. (Last updated July 25 at 8:45 AM EST.)" (Regarding the Electronic Arts ComiCon 'game' from the Dante's Inferno team encouraging sexual harassment of the booth babes.)
  • EA Puts Sexual Bounty on the Heads of Its Own Booth Babes: "At Comic Con, if you commit 'an act of lust' with an EA booth babe and take a picture, you could win dinner with said babes, as well as a great big pile of prizes related to the upcoming Dante's Inferno. That's right, the babes won't just get the standard behavior and awkward advances–if someone is really obnoxious, they get rewarded for it, and then you get to see them again socially!" Worse: the EA flyer actually says any booth babe, not just EA's. So they're encouraging sexual harassment against every booth babe at ComiCon. Yeah…great idea, guys.
  • ReasonableAgreement.org | the Small Print Project: "READ CAREFULLY. By [accepting this material|accepting this payment|accepting this business-card|viewing this t-shirt|reading this sticker] you agree, on behalf of your employer, to release me from all obligations and waivers arising from any and all NON-NEGOTIATED agreements, licenses, terms-of-service, shrinkwrap, clickwrap, browsewrap, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-compete and acceptable use policies ('BOGUS AGREEMENTS') that I have entered into with your employer, its partners, licensors, agents and assigns, in perpetuity, without prejudice to my ongoing rights and privileges. You further represent that you have the authority to release me from any BOGUS AGREEMENTS on behalf of your employer."