Author: Howard

  • American Express Insecurity

    “In theory there’s no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.” – Attributed to Jan L.A. Van De Snepschent If you have an Amex card, you may earn “Membership Rewards.” This is a marketing loyalty program where you can theoretically turn in points for theoretical goods or services. This is all in…

  • Me, Al Franken

    Back in the early 80’s, Al Franken did a bit on Saturday Night Live, about the 80’s being the “Al Franken Decade.” I always liked this bit, and would imitate his manerism of saying “Me, Al Franken.” Example: People are going to stop thinking about themselves and start thinking about me, Al Franken. That’s right.…

  • The Dunbar Number as a Limit to Group Sizes

    Christopher Allen looks at the Sizes of groups in a fascinating article which I’ve chopped into interesting chunks, below. Read the whole thing: The Dunbar Number as a Limit to Group Sizes Lately I’ve been noticing the spread of a meme regarding “Dunbar’s Number” of 150 that I believe is misunderstanding of his ideas….This all…

  • Martha, Martha, Martha…

    Like the Brady Bunch’s Jan, I wonder if there isn’t anything else important in the world to discuss.

  • Frickin Mickey Mouse operation…

    Here at the lovely Disney resort where I’m at, there’s for-pay wireless access in the conference center and hotel lobby. Fine, I’m paying. Then there’s “High Speed” access in the room. For another $10 on top of the $10 I dropped for wireless. Uh, can’t you guys give me one price for both? Do you…