Difference between revisions of "RationalWiki:Saloon bar"

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::::::Masterful hosting? I remember only the stage that looked like the one in my school. --[[User:Earthland|Earthland]] ([[User talk:Earthland|talk]]) 15:25, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
 
::::::Masterful hosting? I remember only the stage that looked like the one in my school. --[[User:Earthland|Earthland]] ([[User talk:Earthland|talk]]) 15:25, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
 
:::::::True story: The goal of my last trip to Europe was to get to Estonia. Sadly, after learning that I would have to travel through Finland, my goal was relinquished. <sup>&mdash; Sincerely, [[User:Neveruse|Neveruse]] / [[User_Talk:Neveruse|Talk]] / [[Special:Block/Neveruse|Block]]</sup> 15:40, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
 
:::::::True story: The goal of my last trip to Europe was to get to Estonia. Sadly, after learning that I would have to travel through Finland, my goal was relinquished. <sup>&mdash; Sincerely, [[User:Neveruse|Neveruse]] / [[User_Talk:Neveruse|Talk]] / [[Special:Block/Neveruse|Block]]</sup> 15:40, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
 +
::::::::People with their mad upper body strength exposed, violently ejaculating in their lederhosen are unacceptable. It is so bad, you eat the soap. --[[User:Swedmann|Swedmann]] ([[User talk:Swedmann|talk]]) 18:56, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

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Saloon bar
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Welcome, BoN
This is a place for general chit-chat about virtually anything that doesn't fit anywhere else.
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What is going on?

(talk) (talk) (talk) (talk) (hic)

Pointless poll

Spicy food, yay or nay?

Spice is nice!

81

Vote

Can't handle heat, must avoid at all costs.

19

Vote

Should Azureality be the site mascot?

Heck yeah!

48

Vote

That thing is so cool, I love it!

3

Vote

Needs more goat

21

Vote

What am I looking at, and whose hairbrained idea was it to make a frickin' Pokémon our mascot?!?

90

Vote

Who is the better rapper?

Tupac Shakur

24

Vote

Biggie Smalls

22

Vote

Both are equally great

22

Vote

MC Goat

53

Vote

To do list
RationalWiki:Forum
  1. Steal This Wiki removed? (07:48, 19 Jan 2024)
  2. Mobile-friendly version of RationalWiki? (18:45, 20 Jul 2023)
  3. Do you prefer this or the Saloon bar? (20:37, 7 May 2023)
  4. Requesting fiction writing feedback; what would make you "believe in magic?" (19:40, 26 Jan 2023)
  5. Randall Carlson (20:37, 9 May 2021)
  6. Moderators (21:57, 18 Mar 2021)
  7. Bruce Greyson new info found (12:33, 31 Jul 2020)
  8. "Targeted Individuals" (03:10, 25 Mar 2020)
  9. Biggest crooks in the healthcare industry? (13:08, 21 Oct 2019)
  10. RationalWiki in portuguese and other languages. (14:35, 9 Oct 2019)

side-by-side (sticky)

This is probably too long/technical, but worth keeping in mid, for a sbs. Šţěŗĭļė ramen noodle 12:25, 4 February 2010 (UTC)

Looks worthwhile so I stickied it. ħumanUser talk:Human 12:36, 4 February 2010 (UTC)
Maybe I can set up just the "Truth or Dare" sections.... Šţěŗĭļė ramen noodle 18:29, 5 February 2010 (UTC)
Hmmmm... it's hard to figure out how to do this. It's the usual garbage: playing around in the gaps, claiming that irreducible complexity is evidence of something, saying there is a positive case for design, etc., but it's not clear what sections to include in a SBS. Šţěŗĭļė ramen noodle 02:03, 11 February 2010 (UTC)


Important changes regarding page titles (sticky)

& and + now work in page titles, e.g. User:Nx/sand&box and User:Nx/+sandbox will link to the correct page. However, this means that hacks like User:Nx&action=edit and User:Phantom Hoover&action=delete no longer work (since this is now correctly interpreted as a full page title). If you see something like this, change it to https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=User:Nx&action=edit.

There might be things that don't play nicely with this, e.g. I'm not sure how DPL will work with page titles containing + or &, and Capturebot2 for example uses & to separate pages in its configuration (though that's just minor problem).

If you see any breakage anywhere, tell me ASAP. -- Nx / talk 11:45, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

I thought we'd had this since an update ages ago since I'm we and Wikipedia have been able to get "Penn & Teller" for a while. Though I may be mistaken and getting it confused with some redirecting hack. But anyway, cheers for that, I'll keep an eye out. Scarlet A.pnggnostic 13:01, 18 February 2010 (UTC)
No, it was not a MediaWiki problem, it was an apache problem. I'm rebuilding all link tables now (that's why the server is slow), because of this and because there's some DPL junk there too, and then I'll check Wantedpages. -- Nx / talk 13:03, 18 February 2010 (UTC)

Vot iz dis paper money?

Another nutter heard from: "South Carolina Rep. Mike Pitts has introduced legislation that would mandate that gold and silver coins replace federal currency as legal tender in his state. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 08:34, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

He is, of course, aware that 1 USD will buy approx. 1.5 µl of gold [1], or 180µl of silver [2]. Just a bit small to be practicable, unless its very impure or embedded in plastic. CS Miller (talk) 18:42, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
Perhaps they could store the gold somewhere and provide paper receipts for it, each one representing a certain amount of gold. :3 Sen (talk) 03:46, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Or to make it easier to visualize, if a 1US cent coin was made of pure gold, it would cost $300 US dollars; silver would be $2.50 US.
Actually, it is a perfectly sound policy to combat the hyperinflation we're experiencing. Oh wait, inflation is at about 2.6%. Nevermind. DickTurpis (talk) 21:31, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
Another way of visualizing this is 1.5 µl is the volume of a sphere of 1.4mm diameter; which is about 1/20 of an inch or the size of a smallish peppercorn. CS Miller (talk) 22:11, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Does he not remember the gold standard and Bretton Woods debacles? CS Miller (talk) 22:17, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Hmm. Gold standard nut, or has he spent too much time role playing at renaissance fairs? South Carolina's budget deficits could be fixed by Pitts forming a party to go farm kobolds for a few days. --ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 11:48, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

School spying

Big brother in action? yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 15:30, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

They introduce a monitoring system to tackle a clearly defined problem, yet it's used as a more general surveillance system? How totally and utterly unprecedented. --ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 15:45, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
It seriously takes the piss when local government abuses laws for spying on the most mundane of things. They've gotta have better things to do than hang around waiting on fishermen. Whenever I walk into my local supermarket I'm greeted by a sign that says "We Are Watching You." It's just to catch shoplifters, but it always reminds me of Big Brother. SJ Debaser 15:51, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
That school case strikes me as the creepiest example I've heard of yet. How anyone could have thought that monitoring students' behaviour at home & telling them off for it wasn't a terrible idea is beyond me. Apparently they're now under investigation b y the FBI. WeaseloidWeaselly.jpgMethinks it is a Weasel 19:51, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
It does seem completely stupid and immoral, yet it keeps happening. Rather then the usual cycle of suing and nothing happening, I'd love to see the person responsible for this being dealt with pretty severely. Granted it could just be some teacher who happened to flick on a camera to take a look, but ignorance is no defence in such cases. One would have to be incredibly ignorant to see no problem in spying on students and their families. --ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 20:05, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
We must remember that the most bizarre of perspectives is held by some people - we know this after observing CP for all these years, and continually asking ourselves "are they serious?" SJ Debaser 21:57, 21 February 2010 (UTC)
For information: Robbins v. Lower Merion School District (pdf).yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 06:21, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
The Telescreens are coming! Sen (talk) 03:51, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Something I noticed about Fox News

Fox only allows commenting on stories that reflect badly on Obama or the government. The last three stories about major success in Afghanistan are, of course, not allowed to be commented on. Sneaky bastards. Acei9 23:10, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Very sneaky. Although it seems to be quite standard practice everywhere to restrict what you can comment on, the real issue is whether comments are selected and censored. Scarlet A.pnggnostic 07:49, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

blue food challenge

Does anyone dare to take my blue food challenge? Chasanidya (talk) 00:03, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

I just opened my fridge to find that the whipped cream had gone bad, and there was blue mold all over it. Does that count? Tetronian you're clueless 02:44, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Well, I doubt very much that you would eat that, so it doesn't at all count. Sorry.
I crush blueberries and mix them with cream. Blue. Send the check to the Death Star III. --The Emperor Kneel before Zod! 02:50, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Sorry, but those blueberries, despite the name, are in fact purple. No winner here, I'm afraid.
I'm a huge fan of Blue Rasberry Squeeze Pops and Mountain Dew had that blue version a while back.... But it's very hard to compete in a challenge when you don't know the rules. SirChuckBThis country needs more Rutabegas 04:14, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Those don't count, they are only blue because of the artificial colours added by the manufacturer. But nice try.
send cash, I have a small bowl of BLUE smarties, and a bowl of BLUE Froot Loops, and I can make a blue blueberry muffin if I have too. I may have blue jello but not sure of that. If I drink lots of BLUE grape juice other stuff turns blue too. (maybe TMI ?) Hamster (talk) 04:40, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Ditto for those, too. Blueberries and blue grapes are in fact, purple. And once again, fruit-loops and smarties, in their natural, unmodified state, are not blue.
Wrong, they are blue, at least in my two parts of the world (one for grapes, one for berries). Editor at CPmały książe 15:36, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
There are a few blue berries. Edible blue flowers, and at least one variety of blue corn. I do accept postal orders... Worm(t | c) 09:33, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Those are all in reality, purple. As is so-called "blue" corn.
How could you all forget blue cheese? The best cheese known to mankind. Chasanidya, shall I give you my Paypal account? — Pietrow 09:49, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Blue cheese? Good grief sir, how can you consider that to be food? If you like to eat that, do you also like to eat the Tetronian's moldy cream cheese?
While a big fan of blueberries, I'd choose dark blue wine grapes. Editor at CPmały książe 09:52, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Dark blue? More like dark purple to me.
Poor thing, have you never been hungry or thirsty under a September sun, realized that there are blue winegrapes (for wine, not table) on the roadside, checked that there is nobody in sight, and fully enjoyed that peculiar taste? Editor at CPmały książe 15:36, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
There are also blue potatoes (e.g. Russian Blue), blue lobsters and there's nothing to prevent you eating a bluebird, although there's probably not much meat.  Lily Inspirate me. 13:18, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • There is nothing in the world more purple than a blue potato, friends. And while the shell of the procambarus alleni may be blue, you certainly don't eat the SHELL, now do you? And only cats eat bluebirds, I'm afraid. So, if you like to eat blue-birds then I predict there is a 95% chance that you are a cat.

Chasanidya (talk) 17:14, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Blue corn (often made into tortilla chips). Blueberries, their jelly and jam, as above. Blue molds in cheese. I think there are blue varieties of kale. Blue M&Ms ;) ħumanUser talk:Human 17:49, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

After reading through all the "responses" by the challenger, I see that their goalposts are obviously color-blind. ħumanUser talk:Human 17:56, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Chasanidya, next time you set a challenge with an alleged money prize, why not set the rules before inviting responses, rather than just making them up as you go along? WeaseloidWeaselly.jpgMethinks it is a Weasel 18:02, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Oh yeah, and sign your posts. WeaseloidWeaselly.jpgMethinks it is a Weasel 18:07, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Exactly what I said a while ago Weasel. You can't really compete in something when the rules are not formally explained and the referee keeps changing their criteria. Lay out a specific set of non-changing rules and we can give it a good shot, however, I have the feeling that this is not going to be something you'll allow yourself to lose. SirChuckBCall the FBI 18:19, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
  • Um...the 'alleged money prize' wasn't the point - I'm sorry, I thought the satirical/parody intent would be more obvious. Chasanidya (talk) 18:31, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I "got" the parody, but what's the point, really? ħumanUser talk:Human 20:45, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Borage is blue and food. Obviously you'll now come up with some funny excuse why this is not true. -- (talk) 19:56, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Hagra biscuit! (fast-forward to 2:13) Totnesmartin (talk) 21:18, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Hows abouts a nice bottle of Blue Nun? Get yer feckin' money out or stop wasting our time (although most people come here to waste time) DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 10:38, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
Some mushrooms are blue, like this one, and psilocybin turns blue on contact with air so anyone who's had magic mushrooms has eaten blue food. CrundyTalk nerdy to me 13:32, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
I suppose the irises of blue-eyed things are edible. Evil word Hoover! 15:30, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Nutters (Chapter 10073)

For those who don't read PZ regularly, here's a little gem he's linked to. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 05:38, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Oops! didn't see it had been clogosphered. Sorry, Gulik. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 07:28, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Spirituality

According to Fox(sorry!) "spirituality" could be increased by brain damage. "The finding could lead to new strategies for treating some forms of mental illness". Ah! now I see. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 06:28, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

that explains the strange postings on talk.origins Hamster (talk) 06:50, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I did wonder about "was he dropped on his head as a child?" With no particular reference to PJR. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 06:56, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Jealous!

How can someone pass this daily while I'm looking at effing WORKSOP! yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 07:07, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

I hate this person. - π 07:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
This is part of my cycle ride home. Now, why was it I moved out of London? Jack Hughes (talk) 11:48, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Living in Cambridge right now,so I get lots of nice scenery. EddyP (talk) 13:24, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Plenty of Elizabethan architecture here in Totnes. Totnesmartin (talk) 17:55, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Too much stupid

Has anyone seen this before? - π 07:15, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

British libel law reform

British libel laws are being used by homeopaths and other woo-meisters to stifle scientists' freedom of speech. I urge other Brits to sign the online petition for reform at www.libelreform.org and email their MP.  Lily Inspirate me. 11:42, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
P.S. Try and get as many friends and family to sign up as well. I believe that this is really important stuff.  Lily Inspirate me.

Signed. I really hope something comes from this, it's not just CAMers that take the piss with this, you often hear about an Arab suing a Russian for something he published in an American publication, in the fucking London courts because our fucking libel laws are so stupid!. Arrrgghhhh! Go petition and go Private Eye! DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 11:49, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Yeah, apparently it counts as published in the UK if it's available on Amazon. Fucking mad. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 13:28, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I only mentioned the CAM issue as that was probably the most relevant to RW; but yes it is all mad when people from completely different countries can use our laws to wage their own private vendettas.  Lily Inspirate me. 14:06, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
A lot of the time it's the costs, actual or potential, that deter people from defending. A decent libel trial can gointo the 100s of thousands. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 14:11, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
This article is relevant to your interests [3] -- =w= 14:16, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
It is definitely worth signing, and those abroad could do worse than to complain to your representatives. The law is bloody stupid, and far reaching. Considering the stance we take, I wonder if it's worth mentioning something on the intercom? British libel law affects anyone writing here, and I doubt you want to be at the mercy of a turncoat fruit loop like Justice Eady. --ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 14:29, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Correct, this is a truly international problem. Toasty, stuff doesn't even have to be on Amazon; there was a case recently where some Johnny Foreigner sued (in Eady's London court) another Johnny Foreigner over something published in an obscure Johnny Foreigner magazine and Eady allowed it on the basis that the magazines website had had three hits from the UK that year. Fucking mental. I'm all for tourists visiting our fine land, but libel tourists can fuck right off. DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 17:02, 22 February 2010 (UTC)


See also yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 10:09, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Israeli education

PZ has a nice bit about how science is being elbowed in favour of religion in Israeli state schools. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 13:15, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

"We have returned to the dark Middle Ages," Erez (Jonathan Erez, a professor at Hebrew University's Earth Sciences Institute) said. "It's difficult to believe that a man who harbors such opinions has climbed the ladder to become the Education Ministry's chief scientist."[4] yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 13:25, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
This really is why we need to get rid of faith schools. If people want their kids religiously indoctrinated it should not be done in state schools; it's what Sunday Schools are meant for and I'm sure Jews and Muslims have their own equivalents. School should be about opening and exercising minds, not closing and paralysing them.  Lily Inspirate me. 14:13, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
"There won't be a need for us to bomb Tehran, because Tehran has already come to us" - Yehoshua Kolodny, a professor emeritus at Hebrew University.  Lily Inspirate me. 14:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

MPs & Homeopathy

"The NHS should stop funding homeopathy, MPs say. The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee said using public money on the highly-diluted remedies could not be justified. About fucking time! yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 13:19, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Hell yeah. Ian Stewart, MP, is a total and utter plum. His claim that it appears to work for some people is inane. I'm presuming that when they covered pharmacology and physics at school he was busy taking courses in advance incredulity. By his logic we could stock hospitals up with totems and fervently praying believers.--ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 14:37, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
"Please Click Here to view my Allowences and Expenses" - His webshite - That all, folks! - Twat yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 15:34, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Whilst it is certainly good news that MPs are planning to stop this embarrassing waste of NHS cash; that BBC article reads like it's been written by a primary school kid... (No offence to primary school kids) DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 17:21, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Written by a Radio one newswriter? yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 17:27, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
"Orac" on Respectful insolence (scienceblogs) yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 11:08, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
I've added to the article. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 11:32, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
Very good write-up. Thanks for the link. The comments make for good reading, particularly when the "I know it works" crowd springs in to action. I'm personally disgusted with Prince Charles and his frequent promotion of woo. He makes a pretty penny from his peddling of quackery, yet we could end up with this snake oil selling huckster as the head of state. Democracy isn't perfect, but there's a lot to be said for some kind of qualification process. --ConcernedresidentAsk me about your mother 11:44, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
Well, Chas is a twat! Thank gOD the monarchy's got no power! 11:58, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
He's not even consistent in his twattishness. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 12:01, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Boner's been raptured?

While my gut feeling is that something bad has happened, I can't help but wonder if Kirk Cameron had Boner raptured. --Edgerunner76Your views are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter 15:49, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

And I never knew Boner was Chekov's kid. Aboriginal Noise Punkrock 16:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Hunh, so he is. If this didn't seem to point to something tragic, I'd make a "red shirt" joke. MDB (talk) 16:29, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I read about this last night. I have to say, I am anxious to hear the conclusion to the Case of the Disappearing Boner. Hopefully he's just out on an extended bender. DickTurpis (talk) 18:08, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
The security guys had to have worked out that they were the first to go , you would think they would change shirts as a disguise. Its a bit long for a bender , but lets hope he shacked up somewhere Hamster (talk) 21:00, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
It's serious stuff, actually. Apparently the guy was last seen near Stanley Park, which my roommate knows well (she's from Vancouver). She says that there are lots of places there a depressed individual could go and not get found for quite a while. --Kels (talk) 21:06, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Old joke leads to a legal question

There's an old joke. A man goes to the big city for the first time. A hooker approaches him, and says "I'll do anything you want for $500."

"Anything?" replies the man.

"Anything!"

"Fine. Paint my house."

Now, having been watching The Paper Chase on DVD lately, I've become curious about contract law, so my question is this: is there an enforceable contract there? MDB (talk) 16:27, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

If you're not kidding I'll dig out my Farnsworth or Williston on contracts. Nutty Roux100x100 anarchy symbol.svg 16:34, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I'm not kidding, but don't go to a lot of effort. It's a mere curiosity on my part. (I have to say, though, as a legal layman, I would have thought contract law would be dry as dust. Paper Chase made it sound interesting.) MDB (talk) 16:37, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
It's only interesting when people don't agree what the bargain was. I'll have a look for something basic for you. Nutty Roux100x100 anarchy symbol.svg 16:48, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
What I want to know is if you're supposed to tip hookers. Vulpius (talk) 17:11, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Insert old leper joke here.
Seriously, as I understand it, (and I am telling the truth that this is only what I've heard), if you visit a "massage parlor" or some such, the "tip" you leave is payment for services beyond the massage. MDB (talk) 17:12, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
In my very limited one-off experience from over thirty years ago you tip "the maid". Jack Hughes (talk) 17:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
I don't think offering to do "anything" is a contract, it was a request for a contract. His offer was to be the contract, subject to her acceptance. If offering to do "anything" was the contract, she could have simply done "anything" and satisfied the terms. — Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block 17:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Yonks ago, when I was studyin' I recall that (e.g.) a price on an item in a shop was an "offer to treat" not a contract. Premusably the same would apply. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 17:24, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Several years ago I indulged in the services offered of a prostitue in Berlin. After the completion of business, as I was leaving she shouted "Hey! Vhat about zee Marks?"


"Not bad" I replied. "7 out of 10". B-Boom-Boom! DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 17:29, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
IAMAL, but as I understand it, here in NH an oral contract can be legally binding. However, to be a contract it requires an offer, a counteroffer ("paint my house") and acceptance. Also, they're pretty much worth the paper they are written on if there aren't (credible?) witnesses. ħumanUser talk:Human 17:40, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
Heh heh, 'oral' DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 17:50, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

To seriously answer your question, there is no enforceable contract here as I see it, for several reasons. First, I'm pretty sure contracts have to be more specific than that to be binding, second, either at or above $500 the Statute of Frauds specifies contracts must be written. Also, I guess one would have to consider whether there was actually any consideration on the part of the client here. But then again, I'm only going on 2 law classes I took years ago. DickTurpis (talk) 18:06, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

I don't think an offer to "do anything" could ever be truly binding since it's so open ended. E.g. what if, instead of "paint my house", he had answered "travel back in time" or "bring the dead back to life"? WeaseloidWeaselly.jpgMethinks it is a Weasel 18:17, 22 February 2010 (UTC)
This is all fascinating stuff -- thanks, all. My layman's guess would have been "anything you want" clearly implied "of a sexual nature" and (ignoring the fact prostitution is illegal in most places, making it a non-enforceable contract), and that a reasonable person would not have taken that as an offer to do literally anything. Or perhaps it would be considered a "frivolous claim", like the old Joe Isuzu ads or the Harrier Jet for Pepsi Points thing. MDB (talk) 18:32, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

It would be an unconscionable contract, with terms that favor one party in massive disproportion to the other in an unfair manner. Courts tend not to be too forgiving of people who just didn't think about it enough, but in the U.S. they are pretty rough on "trick" contracts of such a nature.--ADtalkModerator 04:21, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

So, then "I was stupid when I made that offer" would be a legitimate defense in this case? MDB (talk) 13:26, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
The idea would be that "the strict language of the oral agreement can be taken to unreasonable and unconscionable lengths."--ADtalkModerator 23:30, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

I seriously doubt this would work. I mean, I'm not a lawyer, but I'd guess that you couldn't hold someone to "anything," or else you could request that they do things that are totally impractical for $500. Like, "lead an expedition to the North Pole!" Or even things that are illegal like "assassinate Obama!" Now, if you wanted to claim that you had a painting fetish, and made them paint while you took them up the ass... (I doubt my gf will let me find out if that one's viable) --Mustex (talk) 01:37, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Red-Letter Sermon

Hey, I found this sermon by a Red-Letter Christian on youtube. I was wondering if I could get some of your reactions to it (I'm honestly curious): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CfLbYZ9M-Q --Mustex (talk) 05:44, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

The Disenchantment of Secular Discourse

The brilliant Stanley Fish has a review up of this new book.[5] I don't agree with him or the author, but his analysis of reason's ability to give us direction in life is well-worth reading for any serious thinker on the subject.--ADtalkModerator 11:48, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Local bar signs

There is a bar near Pittsburgh called Casa d'Ice. It is run by a complete political whack-job. Every week or so he puts up a new marquis on display outside the bar, complete with foul language, along a major thoroughfare. You be the judge. I should also note he was running a campaign for a 2008 Presidential bid. Aboriginal Noise Punkrock 12:02, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

What nice man: any relation to RobS or TK? yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 12:08, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
"Iraqis will all kill themselves, it's their way of life." Charming man. SJ Debaser 12:22, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
Odd that a guy who has such a hard-on for English operates a bar named Casa d'Ice. Has anyone ever pointed that out to him, and, if so, what were their hospitals bills afterward? MDB (talk) 12:37, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
"For 23 years, I was in the Ice Business and when I sold the business using my legal Italian Heritage, came the name "Casa D' Ice" for "House of Ice". I can not help it that the Spanish use is the same name for house. So, for those who question my use of "Casa" when I am against illegal aliens, I hope this explains it." As quoted from the main page of the bar's website. Aboriginal Noise Punkrock 12:51, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
In other words, "Good Italians can be proud of their heritage, but not damn Mexicans." MDB (talk) 13:35, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
Wouldn't house of ice be casa di ghiaccio in Italian?  Lily Inspirate me. 18:07, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
It would, but I don't think (I hope!) the guy would be able to speak Italian. Editor at CPmały książe 18:11, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Under "entertainment": "None scheduled for December". Hmmmmmm, slow winter, eh? ħumanUser talk:Human 19:26, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Also, the FAQ and Hours disagree on when they are open, and the Hours page makes it seem like the kitchen is always closed. Anyway, those signs are a riot, but my favorite was the "help wanted" one for a sign updater when the owner is dead. ħumanUser talk:Human 20:05, 23 February 2010 (UTC)
How has he not been ticketed for the language? most cities have codes against obscene language on signs.... Where are Brent Bozell and the language police at PTC? SirChuckBObama/Biden? 2012 20:16, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

I did find this one quite funny, actually. --The Emperor Kneel before Zod! 00:39, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

I think I've heard that before. I thought quite a few were "funny", even if I often found the perspective distasteful. ħumanUser talk:Human 00:54, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
I always find it annoying when right-wingers are funny, and it can indeed happen. I laughed a lot at Palin's "How's that whole hopey-changey thing working out for ya?" -frankly, that's excellent comedy writing indeed, though I doubt she wrote it. Grrr...you're not allowed be funny, bitch. DogPMarmite Patrol 02:33, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Actually, they lost the guy who books the bands to another local pub, and the owner is such a douche that he probably scares away the entertainment. My band played there a few times, and the dude was hard pressed to pay up. He'd just sit behind the bar with this smug look on his face. I do find some of the signs entertaining, but mostly offensive (think of the children!) and he has been asked by local authorities to change the language a bit on occasion. Aboriginal Noise Punkrock 03:12, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
As far as right winger being funny goes -- pains me to admit it though it does, I'll admit Rush Limbaugh has great comic skills. Now, I don't find him "funny", per se, but that's because I don't like the targets of his jokes. And that's why I so desperately miss Molly Ivins -- she could skewer Republicans six ways from Sunday, and be so funny in the process, the conservatives would be laughing, too. Rachel Maddow comes close, but she goes more for subtle humor. MDB (talk) 12:09, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Nevada Governor

The governor of Nevada has confirmed he's not gotten any since 1995.

All I can say is "I'm glad Nevada doesn't have nukes." MDB (talk) 17:56, 23 February 2010 (UTC)

Does this make me a bad person?

Ok, I'm not sure if I should feel wrong for wanting this, but it just occurred to me that, since we now have facial recognition technology for "celebrity look-alikes," it would be really amusing if someone came up with a program that could take any picture of a girl, and compare it to pics from escort ads all over the internet. I mean, it would kind of make me laugh if I could find out that some girl who was mean to me in High School was not working as an escort, but I also feel bad wishing that on anyone else. Would anyone else find that funny?--Mustex (talk) 03:37, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

You sir, have some very odd ideas. - π 03:50, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Yes that makes you a bad person. -- Mei (talk) 03:52, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
*rereads yet again* Why would you find it funny that some girl who was mean to you was not working as an escort? I could understand how you would find it funny if she was. - π 03:55, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Mustex, girls were mean to you in high school because you deserved it. loser. TheoryOfPractice (talk) 04:05, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Maybe she liked you, but was too nervous to say anything? - π 04:24, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
...I got it reversed. And I'm honestly not clear on who's joking here, and who isn't. It should also be noted that I'm for legalized prostitution, so I don't think less of anyone who sells their body, but it concerns me that I would feel so much, yes, Schadenfreude if one of a number of girls was involved in the world's oldest professions knowing that the girl would probably not be happy about it. Although, the number of girls I would wish such a thing on is very small (not girls who didn't like me, girls who went to great lengths to make my life miserable).--Mustex (talk) 04:26, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
You don't think less of anyone who sells their body but you do think it's a good punishment for girls who went to great lengths to make your life miserable. Makes perfect sense. -- Mei (talk) 04:38, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
May I point out that most of the girls in escort and phone sex ads are models, as such are not usually involved in the business they are promoting? - π 04:30, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Ah, did not know that. (BTW, Mei, I was saying I enjoy knowing assholes are miserable. I'd think the same thing if they were working at McDonald's). I'm already starting to regret making this thread.--Mustex (talk) 04:52, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Make a YouTube video about it.--ADtalkModerator 04:45, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Escorts , like you phone up when you need someone for dinner or a party ? nothing wrong with that. A number of women in my college classes were working as hookers, made lots of cash and they didnt seem to mind. The thought makes you human , and your concience bothers you a littel , which is kinda cute. Hamster (talk) 05:15, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Ah, good to know.--Mustex (talk) 05:51, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
That sounds like an outstanding idea, Mustex. I'm sure Nx could bang out a script for it... DeltaStarSenior SysopSpeciationspeed! 10:12, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
I need a script that can tell me if some guy I used to know has become an irrelevant youtube personality. -- Mei (talk) 17:12, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

New Zealanders: Shame on you!

Go and vote yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 08:16, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

Independence day

It's Independence Day in Estonia. So, in order to celebrate it, I decided to introduce you Estonia ... a bit.

Estonia is a ridiculously small nation and we have all the common psychological complexes of small nations. (<- uh, a good introduction..) It means that we declare everything about Estonia and in Estonia to be the "best one". It's quite strange. We think that we have the best beer, that our girls are the most beautiful ones, that we are one of the smartest nations in the world (or at least that we have the best educational system, but it is still very strange), that everyone should be stunned by the beauty of our nature, etc. It's not just "Estonian" thing to do, but most Estonians honestly believe all that. And if foreigners aren't amazed by everything they see in Estonia, we feel that we've been insulted to the highest degree.

However, I'd like to hear what you people think about Estonian language. How does it sound? Here are four videos, four Estonian songs. Maybe you can listen to one of them and say what you think (and no, I don't think that I've been insulted to the highest degree if you say they all suck)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DntZCBKwFH0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRRiXJdmXMg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeXupFvSz70

--Earthland (talk) 14:17, 24 February 2010 (UTC)

I've forgotten about the Estonian language, and will look at your videos when I get home from work. I can, however, confirm that Estonia does indeed have very nice beer and your girls are very beautiful.
The time that I went was in February some years ago and it was the coldest I have ever experienced. Me and my mates were trudging around the old town in Tallinn and enjoying the nice pubs and restaurants. In one pub, we got talking to some nice local girls for a while. They then joined us for a drink in another pub when we moved on. At one point, I went to the bathroom and when I returned, one of my mates leaned across the table to me and said, "I think you should know that these girls have just told us they are prostitutes." We were shocked, but I guess when it's that cold, the ladies of the night can't pick up clients on the street. Needless to say, we parted company pretty sharpish, being polite British gentlemen, not looking for that sort of entertainment.
That happened on our first night there and it coloured our experience somewhat. We didn't talk to many locals after that, as we thought anyone might have been dodgy. At one point, we came across a venue that claimed to be showing Miss Estonia that night, and which still had tickets. "A likely story" we thought, and gave it a miss. The next day, the local papers were carrying stories about that year's newly crowned Miss Estonia. Still gutted we missed that. Bondurant (talk) 14:33, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Ah, doesn't every nation think that they have the best beer, nicest language, beautiful scenery and prettiest girls? Of course most of it is cultural relativism, in general people like best what they have grown up with.  Lily Inspirate me. 14:57, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Who can forget Estonia's 2001 Eurovision win by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton with "Everybody" and their masterful hosting in 2002? Jack Hughes (talk) 15:01, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
@Jack: Me. yummy Toast&  honey(or marmalade) 15:13, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Alcohol. Balance restored. --Swedmann (talk) 15:21, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
Masterful hosting? I remember only the stage that looked like the one in my school. --Earthland (talk) 15:25, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
True story: The goal of my last trip to Europe was to get to Estonia. Sadly, after learning that I would have to travel through Finland, my goal was relinquished. — Sincerely, Neveruse / Talk / Block 15:40, 24 February 2010 (UTC)
People with their mad upper body strength exposed, violently ejaculating in their lederhosen are unacceptable. It is so bad, you eat the soap. --Swedmann (talk) 18:56, 24 February 2010 (UTC)