Piece of Mind

Reincarnation now illegal

This must be the best new storyline for a Monty Python sketch in ages.

"In one of history's more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission. According to a statement issued by the State Administration for Religious Affairs, the law, which goes into effect next month and strictly stipulates the procedures by which one is to reincarnate, is 'an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation.'"

You gotta hand it to the Chinese government; they can be amazingly creative when it comes to sticking it to the Dalai Lama.

Hat-tip to KurzweilAI.net for this one.

Sad (but necessary) innovation

First of all, let me say state that I am a huge fan of innovation. I find most 'new stuff' pretty exciting - and worringly seductive. Which is why I was surprised to be almost in tears on the tube earlier today reading a couple of articles in Metro.   

There are two new products for kids/teenagers on the market.  The first is UK made - a knife-proof hoodie made from Kevlar (like military body armour in Iraq), which recently protected a 15-year whilst he was slashed at a cash machine.

This is his hoodie. His back was OK, but his hands took a bit of punishment.

It would appear that "the hoodies have also proved a hit with female joggers and dog walkers - prompting makers Bladerunner to bring them out in baby blue and pink".

The second is from the US, and as this youtube promo shows, just as bleak.

Sigh.

The best comeback line ever?

I came across this wee gem in the Daily Record yesterday:

'US Marine Corps General Reinwald was being interviewed by a female journalist about sponsoring a Boy Scout troop to visit his installation. Here's how the conversation panned out...

Interviewer: "So General, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?"

General: "We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery and shooting."

Interviewer: "Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?"

General: "I don't see why. They'll be properly supervised on the rifle range."

Interviewer: "So you don't admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?"

General: "I don't see how. We will be teaching them proper rifle discipline before they even touch a firearm".

Interviewer: "But you're equipping them to be violent killers."

General: "So what? You're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?"

End of interview.'

Google's new chinese logo?

Flexible Ethics

If you haven't been following the controversy around what the tech giants (Google, Microsoft and Yahoo) have been up to in China, here's a satirical summary by Mark Fiore.

Porn

Funny, and probably true...

The internet is for porn.

Just Say 'No'

Given that I've recently stopped drinking alcohol AND bought a fuel-efficient Honda Jazz to reduce the huge diesel consumption of our Nissan 4WD, I'm not sure whether to be pleased or worried about this article...

Link: The Observer | Magazine | Just Say 'No'.

They're the New Puritans. A generation of young, educated and opinionated people determined to sidestep the consumerist perils of modern life. So if you own a 4x4, spend all your time shopping, or are simply overweight - watch your back. Lucy Siegle meets the moral minority aiming to mend our ways

Hat tip to Johnnie Moore for this one.