Interesting Links for 17-09-2013

[andrewducker]

• Europe's largest tidal power project is approved (between Orkney and mainland Scotland)
  (tags: scotland renewables electricity tidal )
• Netflix studies piracy sites to decide what to buy
  (tags: tv netflix copyright piracy )
• On the banality of systemic evil
  (tags: systems organisation secrecy evil viafanf )
• Richard Dawkins's Existence Poses a Real

Comments

I really like this photo

[cartesiandaemon]

Eek! Yes, that's scary.

Pentland Firth Tidal

[danieldwilliam]

When I was up in Orkney on holiday my dad took me to see one of those turbines (and three other types of tidal device) at the dock near Kirkwall.

I have some nice photographs of them.

Re: Pentland Firth Tidal

[andrewducker]

Post them!

Re: Pentland Firth Tidal

[danieldwilliam]

I shall - they may end up on Facebook.

They are quite pretty in an industrial way.

Stop Saying “I Have a Boyfriend”

[cartesiandaemon]

Yeah. I rarely have to reject someone, but when I do, I realise I'm flailing for an excuse, not used to the idea that "thank you, but I'm not interested" is the default even though I know it is intellectually.

(Although saying "stop saying" may be too broad -- I agree with all the problems of dividing people into "taken" and "available" but everyone can't devote their time to every issue, and sometimes it might really be the only safe answer.)

Re: Stop Saying “I Have a Boyfriend”

[andrewducker]

Yeah, it's an ideal to aim for, not something everyone should spend 100% of their time on (like most issues - life is too short.)

Re: Stop Saying “I Have a Boyfriend”

[danieldwilliam]

I think it’s an example of something that affects feminism (and other social justice movements), that the best thing for the group would be if everyone did X but doing X on your own is likely to be more trouble for the individual.

Whilst I agree with the article I also that if you’re out, and all you want is a couple of drinks and some chat with your mates you are getting some unwanted attention going down the “I have a boyfriend” line would be quick and easy - even if you thought it was not in the long term best interests of your class or group.

The first person to shout “STRIKE” and switch of their machine had better be certain that everyone else in the factory is with them.

I’m sure there is some useful game theory on it.

Re: Stop Saying “I Have a Boyfriend”

[cartesiandaemon]

Or to put it another way, it shouldn't be necessary because people SHOULD take no for an answer (or not offer sexual advances without some reciprocal flirting). But insisting on "no" may be one way of getting there.

Some thoughts on veils.

[cartesiandaemon]

Urk. I think the basic point is mostly valid, but he dangerously overstates how often facial communication is necessary

Re: Some thoughts on veils.

[danieldwilliam]

The whole conversation (if it’s a conversation) about veils makes me uncomfortable. It just smacks of two groups of men having a fight over what women should be allowed to wear.

Saying that, people with their faces covered or wearing mirrored sunglasses make me feel a bit uncomfortable for reasons I’m not entirely sure I can put my finger on. Partly, it’s to do with being able to see facial expressions and recognise people but I’m not entirely sure that’s all that I find uncomfortable.

Re: Some thoughts on veils.

[cartesiandaemon]

The whole conversation (if it’s a conversation) about veils makes me uncomfortable. It just smacks of two groups of men having a fight over what women should be allowed to wear.

Yeah, very much so. Although the ones saying "whatever they want" are hopefully off to a closer start than the ones saying "face-covering must be mandatory/banned".

Disturbingly, I can't remember reading anything about the topic from anyone who claimed to know _anything_ about it, even in countries where face covering has become much more prevalent.

Re: Some thoughts on veils.

[danieldwilliam]

Disturbingly, I can't remember reading anything about the topic from anyone who claimed to know _anything_ about it, even in countries where face covering has become much more prevalent.

Me neither. Well not much.

I recall some commentary along the line that the requirement was for modest dress and some suggestion that it was not specifically about covering parts of the body but about avoiding wearing ostentiously rich or flamboyant clothing but I'm not sure if that was someone coming from a position of deep knowledge or just back filling in a way that suited their position.

[supergee]

I thought about linking to the Christian canon post but did not do so. You may be tapping into an alternate universe.