Bernard Braden interviews Quentin Crisp (1968)

"Filmed the year 'The Naked Civil Servant' was first published, and before he had become a household name, this very rare footage of Quentin Crisp was filmed as part of a series of interviews by Bernard Braden which were never broadcast.

In these rushes, an unusually restrained Crisp reveals his renowned wit and unconventional opinions when asked some imaginative questions about whether homosexuals would make good world leaders and whether gay men write better parts for actresses than straight men. He also talks about the misogyny inherent in British culture, comparing it with homophobia. (Alex Davidson)"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFPqDUQKmt8

Deming on the problems with targets or goals

"From Dr. Deming's 14 obligations of management: Eliminate numerical goals, numerical quotas and management by objectives. Substitute leadership. As Deming said: "A numerical goal without a method is nonsense." and "Where there is fear you do not get honest figures.""

http://curiouscat.com/deming/management_by_target.cfm

Schneier on Security - What to Fear

"The single greatest killer of Americans is the so-called "lifestyle disease." Somewhere between half a million and a million of us get a short ride in a long hearse every year because of smoking, lousy diets, parking our bodies in front of the TV instead of operating them, and downing yet another six pack and / or tequila popper.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, between 310,000 and 580,000 of us will commit suicide by cigarette this year. Another 260,000 to 470,000 will go in the ground due to poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. And some 85,000 of us will drink to our own departure."

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2009/04/what_to_fear.html

UN puts global treasures online

"A website offering free access to rare manuscripts, books, films and maps from around the world is being launched by the UN's cultural agency.

Unesco says the World Digital Library will help to promote curiosity and understanding across cultures. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8009974.stm

PDF Search Engine

"PDF Search Engine is a book search engine search on sites, forums, message boards for pdf files."

http://www.pdf-search-engine.com/

Medieval battle records go online

"The database of those who fought in the Hundred Years War reveals salaries, sickness records and who was knighted.

The full profiles of soldiers from 1369 to 1453 will allow researchers to piece together details of their lives. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8160081.stm

Convert.Files

"We offer you free and easy to use online file converter that supports a wide range of file types. It can convert almost any type of documents, archives, spreadsheets, audio and video files from one format to another. "

http://www.convertfiles.com/

UK Photographers Rights Guide v2

"This is intended to provide a short UK guide to the main legal restrictions on the right to take photographs and the right to publish photographs that have been taken.

The guide was written by Linda Macpherson LL.B, Dip. L.P., LL.M is a freelance legal consultant specialising in Media Law and Intellectual Property Law. She is also a part-time law lecturer and has presented seminars on law for photographers."

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/

A call for more scientific truth in product warning labels

"As scientists and concerned citizens, we applaud the recent trend towards legislation which requires the prominent placing of warnings on products that present hazards to the general public. Yet we must also offer the cautionary thought that such warnings, however well-intentioned, merely scratch the surface of what is really necessary in this important area. This is especially true in light of the findings of 20th century physics.

We are therefore proposing that, as responsible scientists, we join together in an intensive push for new laws that will mandate the conspicuous placement of suitably informative warnings on the packaging of every product offered for sale. Our suggested list of warnings appears below."

[...]

"WARNING:
This product attracts every other piece of matter in the universe, including the products of other manufacturers, with a force proportional to the product of the masses and inversely proportional to the distance between them."

[...]

"ATTENTION:
Despite any other listing of product contents found hereon, the consumer is advised that, in actuality, this product consists of 99.9999999999% empty space."

http://komplexify.com/epsilon/2009/05/13/a-call-for-more-scientific-truth-in-product-warning-labels/

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg

"Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) is a pressure group campaigning for the future of the Welsh language. Established in 1962, we believe in non-violent direct action, and in the course of our campaigns over a thousand people have appeared before the courts for their part in these campaigns, many serving prison sentences. These campaigns have resulted in many gains for the language, including two Welsh language acts, bilingual road signs, and the establishing of S4C, the Welsh language television channel. "


http://cymdeithas.org/2004/05/31/what_is_cymdeithas_yr_iaith.html

The Kalama Test

"But whatever you are asked to believe, ask yourself whether it is true in the light of your experience, whether it is in conformity with reason and good principles and whether it is conducive to the highest good and welfare of all beings, and only if it passes this test, should you accept it and act in accordance with it."

- The Buddha
Kalama Sutta, Anguttara Nikaya

http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/09/kalama-test.html

Dudjom on Smoking

"I would like to mention that I first encountered Dudjom's comments delivered orally, in 1968, and at that time it was with reference to narcotics, i.e., the plant which grew from the breast of the demoness was marijuana; thus, the admonition was with reference to smoking marijuana. In time, that admonition was extended to any sort of smoking, and this is clearly evident herein.

The context in which I heard about this may be interesting to some of you. I was being interviewed by the F.B.I. in connection with immigration matters impacting the Tibetans, and at one point, I was asked, "Well, what is the position of Nyingmapa lamas on smoking marijuana?" I answered, "Oh, everybody is dead set against drugs, but everybody is afraid to come out and say so because they feel it would alienate the people they're trying to reach.""

http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2007/12/dudjom-on-smoking.html

See also


http://dudjom-on-smoking.org/index_eng.php