Damien Miller's weblog

Some time ago I wrote about the US Department of Homeland Security's crazy plan to gather science fiction authors to think of crazier "security threats". Apparently this gathering has happened, and the results are far more comedic that I could have possibly imagined:

The 45-minute panel discussion quickly deteriorated as federal, local and state homeland security officials, and at least one congressional aid, attempted to ask questions, which were largely ignored.

Instead the writers used their time to pontificate on a variety of tangentially related topics, including their past roles advising the government, predictions in their stories that have come to pass, the demise of the paperback book market, and low-cost launch into space.

...

David Brin, keeping on the topic of empowering citizens with mobile phone technology, delivered a self-described 'rant' on the lack of funds being spent to support citizen reservists to back up the military, homeland security officials and first responders in times of crisis.

"It is impossible for you to succeed without us!" he shouted at the assembled officials, while banging his fist on the table and at one point jumping off his chair to wave a mobile phone in their faces.

There is more in the article - you just can't make comedy this good up...

posted at: 13:04 | path: /stupidity | permanent link

Here are two great social psych articles from a couple of New York publications: Learning to Lie (Po Bronson, New York Magazine), and Taking Play Seriously (Robin Marantz Henig, New York Times). These confirm my status as Neurotic Parent :)

posted at: 23:00 | path: /readings | permanent link