Anne Robinson: In mathematics, how is one-half expressed as a decimal? Female contestant: Can you repeat the question please? Anne Robinson: In mathematics, how is one-half expressed as a decimal? Female contestant: A quarter? Later in the same round: Anne Robinson: The rock group The Manic Street Preachers come from which country in the United… Continue reading BBC: The Weakest Link Village (Idiots) Special
Author: Richard Carter
A fat, bearded chap with a Charles Darwin fixation.
Padre Pio
BBC: Italian statue 'weeps blood' Now there is a surprise: a statue of Padre Pio has reputedly started doing something truly miraculous; that's one more step on the path to sainthood for Padre Pio, then. I had never heard of Padre Pio until I went for a holiday to Sardinia in 1998, when the TV… Continue reading Padre Pio
Allergy
In hospital for a minor operation. A nurse asks me to fill in a questionnaire, detailing any medical conditions I might have. I say that I am allergic to cats. On learning this, the nurse writes the word CATS on a large, red label and attaches it to my wrist. This, she explains, is to… Continue reading Allergy
John Thaw
John Thaw's No more, s(o) dot-dash-dot, dot-dot, dot-dash-dash-dot, Inspector Morse.
BBC: The Weakest Link US Celebrity Special
Anne Robinson: "Which W is the capital of Poland?" Unrecognised US Celebrity: "Worcestershire."
Cat clone
BBC: First pet clone is a cat As if we didn't have enough of the evil, obnoxious creatures already; now they're cloning the bastards! (I'm not a cat person.)
Sleep study
Reuters: People Who Sleep Less Live Longer, Study Finds [T]he study shows that longer sleep is a risk factor for cancer as well as heart disease and stroke But correlation does not show causation: perhaps, for example, people who are unwell are more likely to sleep longer.
Darwin Day
Today is Charles Darwin's 193rd birthday. Happy Darwin Day!
Sex
I've just sent a letter to New Scientist about sex, which they published: Sir, Douglas Fox marvels at what he describes as one of the great mysteries of the human condition: why do humans spend so much time having sex without resultant pregnancy ("Gentle Persuasion", 9th February, 2002). The answer, it seems, is that it… Continue reading Sex
Princess Margaret
BBC: Princess Margaret dies Speaking from Sierra Leone, [UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair] said: "I know the whole country will be deeply saddened by Princess Margaret's death." I think the Observer captured the mood of the nation far more accurately: The death of the 71-year-old Princess Margaret Rose, Countess of Snowdon, one-time second in line… Continue reading Princess Margaret