Prey
by Michael Crichton

re: #1 jcm

Prey
by Michael Crichton

I thought I was the only person to read that book.

Indeed.

That wasn't a very good plan.

Well isn't that special.

It's the grey goo scenario...

Never build a self-replicating robot smaller than your head.

Very well done. Fear da science!

re: #2 DEZes

I thought I was the only person to read that book.

I think I've read everything of Crichton's except Congo.

I keep losing assistants at feeding time. I just don't know why.

hehehehe...Hahahahaha...MMMWWAAAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!

re: #6 lawhawk

I had no idea it was a real theory. Most of the external links go to UK sites.

From reassembly to self replication...

Just an easy step...
///

re: #9 jcm

I think I've read everything of Crichton's except Congo.

You're not missing a thing. Dreadful book.

re: #9 jcm

I think I've read everything of Crichton's except Congo.

I never read Congo either, I have the movie on DVD though

Fellow Kliban fan?re: #7 Salem

Never build a self-replicating robot smaller than your head.

This is what happens when we fail at science. Shouldn't have picked carbon, dude.

Siyuntz!

Great! Another thing to keep out of the hands of the ROP scientific community!

Nanotechnology is a tiny little science...
/ FCBBHO mode off

re: #17 Sharmuta

This is what happens when we fail at science. Shouldn't have picked carbon, dude.

I could only watch - as I understood, he wanted to destroy everything?

re: #14 Dianna

Well, Prey wasn't one of his better books either.

re: #21 Dianna

I could only watch - as I understood, he wanted to destroy everything?

Civilization. I think it was a little too effective.

re: #14 Dianna

You're not missing a thing. Dreadful book.

'Prey' was not one of his better efforts.

re: #18 Salem

Siyuntz!

Gesundheit. ;)

re: #11 Killgore Trout

Instapundit has written a bit about the perils and benefits of nanotech, including the grey goo scenario.

re: #25 DEZes

Now thats clever! lol

re: #16 revobob

Fellow Kliban fan?

More of a fan of robotics in general. I had to Google Kliban, I'm ashamed to say.

Now why did the nanobots spread out from what looked like Seattle?

re: #29 solomonpanting

Now why did the nanobots spread out from what looked like Seattle?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

*composes self*

I have no idea, none at all!

*innocent look*

re: #28 Salem

More of a fan of robotics in general. I had to Google Kliban, I'm ashamed to say.

I used to have his book of cartoons entitled "Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head"- why I asked.

re: #22 Emerald

Well, Prey wasn't one of his better books either.

True. And State of Fear was an extended rant. As a novel qua novel...well, it was not a good example.

Just because it's a cool video...

re: #16 revobob

Fellow Kliban fan?

From that source.

(Left click on the pic.)

re: #26 lawhawk

I've been meaning to read The Singularity Is Near for a while now.

Step 5: Run Like Hell

Off Topic. Hat tip reine. And posted with here permission.

This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time.. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice , avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom , and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes ..

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job.. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to where ver you came from! (Lastly...)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will?

I keep thinking about the biggest enemy in the TV Series Stargate SG-1

re: #36 Racer X

Step 5: Run Like Hell

if you can make it to the Bronx the roaches should take care of em PDQ.

re: #39 brookly red

if you can make it to the Bronx the roaches should take care of em PDQ.

That would make a great movie... Nanobots v. Roaches...

re: #37 Erik The Red

Off Topic. Hat tip reine. And posted with here permission.

This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time.. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Kaye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

If you want the true author in office, you're actually looking for Lewis Napper.

re: #26 lawhawk

Instapundit has written a bit about the perils and benefits of nanotech, including the grey goo scenario.

On the background of the thread below, the graphs in that link should scare the living bejesas out of everybody!
(Scroll down a bit ...)

re: #38 Hengineer

I keep thinking about the biggest enemy in the TV Series Stargate SG-1

The Ori? Or are you thinking of the Replicators?

Before we all worry a tad to much about that consider a few things that could keep them from being a threat:
Organic microorganisms might find carbon based robots yummy (and vice versa) and it would be billions of years of evolution versus newly created nuisances...
The nanobots could be susceptible to radiation/microwaves/fluctuations in temperature that exist outside of laboratory environment etc...
If programmable the nanobots could be hackable and turned against themselves...
Just changing elements might not do the trick in the manner expected... carbon nanobots, for instance, could become part of the food chain while iron nanobots might succumb to oxidation/other effects as quickly as they can reproduce etc once out of the lab etc...
Even if any of the above, or other myriad solutions to yet to exist problem, should fail and we all get grey-gooed then at least we won't be having our heads cut off by religious extremists...

New series on Discovery Channel. I like it.

This is hilarious!

re: #32 Dianna

True. And State of Fear was an extended rant. As a novel qua novel...well, it was not a good example.

The thing I disliked so much about State of Fear was that it was obviously written with a movie adaption in mind. I remember laughing out loud when I got to the whole attack in the Antarctic. It was such a "The movie will need a big CGI action sequence right about now" that it took me out of the flow of the novel.

That was just too funny!

re: #31 revobob

I used to have his book of cartoons entitled "Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head"- why I asked.

Ah. Well, I remember in health class they'd tell us never to stick anything in our ear smaller than an elbow. Which strikes me as unfavorable to the q-tip industry, but anyhow...

re: #41 gmsc

If you want the true author in office, you're actually looking for Lewis Napper.

Thanks gmsc. Emails can go haywire and I did not fact check it. But it is still damn good, who ever wrote it.

re: #44 anotherindyfilmguy

Before we all worry a tad to much about that consider a few things that could keep them from being a threat:
Organic microorganisms might find carbon based robots yummy (and vice versa) and it would be billions of years of evolution versus newly created nuisances...
The nanobots could be susceptible to radiation/microwaves/fluctuations in temperature that exist outside of laboratory environment etc...
If programmable the nanobots could be hackable and turned against themselves...
Just changing elements might not do the trick in the manner expected... carbon nanobots, for instance, could become part of the food chain while iron nanobots might succumb to oxidation/other effects as quickly as they can reproduce etc once out of the lab etc...
Even if any of the above, or other myriad solutions to yet to exist problem, should fail and we all get grey-gooed then at least we won't be having our heads cut off by religious extremists...

Talk about an upside. I'll take gray gooing over beheading anyday!

re: #50 Erik The Red

Thanks gmsc. Emails can go haywire and I did not fact check it. But it is still damn good, who ever wrote it.

So it is - thanks for sharing it, you and reine!

I think I'll stick with the 100 yard long roast generated from stem cells.

MMM! Roast!

re: #33 jcm

How cool was that! Up - DING

re: #43 lawhawk

The Ori? Or are you thinking of the Replicators?

Replicators.

re: #55 Hengineer

Replicators.

Almost forgot about the Ori, but I remember it took Ancient technology to defeat both of them.

Isn't that how they generated the population of San Francisco? And now the Pelosibot is now replicating itself full speed along with the local sub varieties to smother the nation.

re: #55 Hengineer

Replicators.

Loved those Replicators, especially the little clicking noises they made to let you know they were around.

re: #53 unclassifiable

I think I'll stick with the 100 yard long roast generated from stem cells.

MMM! Roast!

That's so yummy wrong!

re: #47 Emerald

The thing I disliked so much about State of Fear was that it was obviously written with a movie adaption in mind. I remember laughing out loud when I got to the whole attack in the Antarctic. It was such a "The movie will need a big CGI action sequence right about now" that it took me out of the flow of the novel.

Well, leaving aside all - but all - the absolutely sucky characterizations, the implausible events and the lack of competence of our viewpoint character, the only really good part was the Martin Sheen character getting eaten.

Isn't there a list of things not to do when taking over the world? I think Blue Canuck has linked to it. I think "never setting self-replicating nanobots to carbon" should be added.

re: #53 unclassifiable

Frederick Pohl wrote about something similar in 1952:

"Chicken Little, a huge mass of cultured chicken breast, was kept alive by algae skimmed by nearly-slave labor from multistory towers of ponds surrounded by mirrors to focus the sunlight onto the ponds."

Scum-skimming wasn't hard to learn. You got up at dawn. You gulped a breakfast sliced not long ago from Chicken Little and washed it down with Coffiest. You put on your coveralls and took the cargo net up to your tier. In blazing noon from sunrise to sunset you walked your acres of shallow tanks crusted with algae. If you walked slowly, every thirty seconds or so you spotted a patch at maturity, bursting with yummy carbohydrates. You skimmed the patch with your skimmer and slung it down the well, where it would be baled, or processed into glucose to feed Chicken Little, who would be sliced and packed to feed people from Baffinland to Little America.
[Link: www.technovelgy.com...]

Cheney: Obama detainee policies make US less safe

Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday that Americans are less safe now that President Barack Obama has overturned Bush terrorism-fighting policies and that nearly all the Republican administration's goals in Iraq have been achieved.

"There is no prospect" that Iraq will return to producing weapons of mass destruction or supporting terrorists, Cheney asserted, "as long as it's a democratically governed country, as long as they have got the security forces they do now and a relationship with the United States."

re: #61 Sharmuta

Isn't there a list of things not to do when taking over the world? I think Blue Canuck has linked to it. I think "never setting self-replicating nanobots to carbon" should be added.

It might be part of the Evil Overlord list.

re: #64 Dianna

It might be part of the Evil Overlord list.

I think you're right.

re: #61 Sharmuta

Isn't there a list of things not to do when taking over the world? I think Blue Canuck has linked to it. I think "never setting self-replicating nanobots to carbon" should be added.

I will ask him on the LNDT.

re: #2 DEZes

I thought I was the only person to read that book.

I read it too.

re: #60 Dianna

Well, leaving aside all - but all - the absolutely sucky characterizations, the implausible events and the lack of competence of our viewpoint character, the only really good part was the Martin Sheen character getting eaten.

Very true, especially the part about the Martin Sheen character! It's no wonder the book was never made into a movie, even considering the politics of the story. Crichton seems to be one of those writers who got worse over the years.

re: #64 Dianna

It might be part of the Evil Overlord list.

Yes yes! The Top 100 Things I'd Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord

#2 My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.

What is the only nonlinear self-teaching adaptive feedback control system that can be produced in vast quantities by untrained and unqualified personnel?

A. The human

re: #43 lawhawk

The Ori? Or are you thinking of the Replicators?

re: #68 Emerald

Very true, especially the part about the Martin Sheen character! It's no wonder the book was never made into a movie, even considering the politics of the story. Crichton seems to be one of those writers who got worse over the years.

Jurassic Park was the best

re: #49 Salem

Ah. Well, I remember in health class they'd tell us never to stick anything in our ear smaller than an elbow. Which strikes me as unfavorable to the q-tip industry, but anyhow...

I always felt a little bit defensive that I couldn't GET my elbow in my ear...

re: #62 jaunte

The "nearly-slave labor" part does not sound too good.

Otherwise, how does it taste?

... yeah I can guess. Like chicken.

re: #59 Salem

That's so yummy wrong!

Tried doing one on the rotisserie, but the dadblastted spit kept drooping into the coals!

re: #32 Dianna

True. And State of Fear was an extended rant. As a novel qua novel...well, it was not a good example.

Yeah, but it has this really great scene in it when the Hollyweird actor "who plays the President on TV" meets a group of indigenous, native pipples and...

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
They make him their god!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Then they take communion.

re: #67 Alouette

I am in love with your toothsome babushkas. Can they be purchased anywhere?

re: #73 unclassifiable

The "nearly-slave labor" part does not sound too good.

Otherwise, how does it taste?

... yeah I can guess. Like chicken.

I think Pohl had to throw the social conditions in as a plot driver for his revolutionaries; who would revolt over Chic-fil-A?

re: #76 Bobblehead

I am in love with your toothsome babushkas. Can they be purchased anywhere?

Not yet, but thanks for the idea!

re: #30 jcm

*composes self*

Funny you should mention that.

re: #77 jaunte

I would if that was the only thing to eat.

Come on! Give Whataburger some vat grown love too folks!

re: #71 Bobblehead

Jurassic Park was the best

I'm partial to sphere myself

re: #80 unclassifiable

"Side of algaefries with that?"

re: #79 solomonpanting

Funny you should mention that.

LOL!

re: #78 Alouette

Not yet, but thanks for the idea!

T shirts, coffee mugs, nesting dolls. A world of merchandising possibilities. Let us know. I'll be first in line.

I just learned that a group of Jellyfish is called a smack.
I also find it funny...

re: #85 DEZes

I'd be inclined to call a group of jellyfish a 'smucker.'

re: #81 Hengineer

I'm partial to sphere myself

Yes, that was a good one.

re: #82 jaunte

Sure.

To me it's all about taste...

... and not having weird shit growing in or on your body.

re: #86 jaunte

I'd be inclined to call a group of jellyfish a 'smucker.'

Would the lead jellyfish be the mother smucker?

Have you read "Next"?

He seems to be writing politically charged novels now.

re: #90 Hengineer

Have you read "Next"?

He seems to be writing politically charged novels now.

Well, not anymore.

Night Lizards. See you on the LNDT

true

re: #71 Bobblehead

Jurassic Park was the best

Good point. That is my favorite of his books, and it was pretty much in the middle of the pack of his writing career.

re: #79 solomonpanting

Funny you should mention that.

If you look at "The Nixon Monument", try to imagine "The Obama Memorial"...

re: #90 Hengineer

Have you read "Next"?

He seems ed to be writing politically charged novels nowlately.

Past tense. Regrettably he is no more.
Michael Crichton died November 4, 2008.

re: #86 jaunte

I'd be inclined to call a group of jellyfish a 'smucker.'

Would you like butter on your toast?

re: #90 Hengineer

Have you read "Next"?

He seems to be writing politically charged novels now.

Knott here in California!

re: #89 gmsc

Would the lead jellyfish be the mother smucker?

Why would anyone put lead in a jellyfish? Is that akin to mercury poisoning? Is that...
Oh!... Nevermind.

OT: From Glenn Reynolds:

UH OH: Obama: Have ‘Absolute Confidence’ in T-Bills. Did previous administrations find it necessary to issue such attention-getting assurances?

UPDATE: Reader Bill Keane writes:

It is unsettlingly reminiscent of the comment made by Secretary of Treasury John Carlisle during Grover Cleveland’s second term. Attempting to reassure the public about the federal financial stability, Carlisle said “Treasury would meet demands for payment in gold so long as it has gold lawfully available for that purpose.” That reassurance (as you may well guess) did nothing to calm the public or the markets.

Oh, goody.

Trust me, 0bama, when I think of your administration and the current state of T-bills, the word "confidence" immediately springs to mind.

(Followed immediately by the word "game".)

re: #90 Hengineer

Have you read "Next"?

He seems to be writing politically charged novels now.

Dr. Crichton died last year. He was 66. Way too young.

Eaters of the Dead is also a good one.

To be honest I didn't know he died, RIP Michael Crichton

Speaking of nano: Here is the Nano Nano Song

Re(98)- Sorry- linked to 90, shoulda been 89!

New Scientist pulls story on creationist code

The New Scientist had a story by their book editor Amanda Gefter called "How to Spot a Hidden Religious Agenda". Today, it was pulled from their web site; the explanation being that they "received a complaint about the contents of the story."

You can still find a copy here, and we've copied the text until we find out what caused them to pull the story. Here's the opening:

As a book reviews editor at New Scientist, I often come across so-called science books which after a few pages reveal themselves to be harbouring ulterior motives. I have learned to recognise clues that the author is pushing a religious agenda. As creationists in the US continue to lose court battles over attempts to have intelligent design taught as science in federally funded schools, their strategy has been forced to... well, evolve. That means ensuring that references to pseudoscientific concepts like ID are more heavily veiled. So I thought I'd share a few tips for spotting what may be religion in science's clothing.

re: #89 gmsc

Would the lead jellyfish be the mother smucker?

Peanut butter and jellyfish

re: #103 steve

Speaking of nano: Here is the Nano Nano Song

Great and lots of sock puppets. ;-)

Prey was not my favorite Crichton book. But, it was good.

I love mental floss.

re: #107 callahan23

Laughed my self silly the first time I watched it. It was put together for a competition about nano technology.

The American Chemical Society is holding a contest seeking short videos that answer the question "What is "nano?'" For their entry, UC Berkeley grad student Patrick Bennett and his colleagues submitted the absolutely wonderful "Nano Song." Nanotation Video Contest

Knock, knock.

[waiting]

re: #111 Occasional Reader

Knock, knock.

[waiting]

who'a there?

re: #112 steve

who'a there?

Obama.

re: #113 Occasional Reader

Obama.

Obama who?

I like Crichton's thoughts in Jurassic Park "How presumptuous of you to think that man can destroy the earth..." (paraphrasing)

And "State of Fear", the first time I had ever heard of "Lear Jet Liberals". There's an excellent (and thought provoking) description of the Sequoia Forests.

re: #114 Cathypop

Obama who?

"O... BA.. MA... selllf... don't want to be... O... BA.. MA... selllf..."

re: #113 Occasional Reader

I was hoping that it would not digress into children's jokes.

But then again maybe Obama is.

President Petraeus will not stand for this. He will appoint VP Palin to fix this problem in their first term in office.

/praying

re: #116 Occasional Reader

"O... BA.. MA... selllf... don't want to be... O... BA.. MA... selllf..."

Up ding and applause!

re: #116 Occasional Reader

You could've at least linked Eric Carmen's version.

re: #119 Cathypop

Up ding and applause!

I admit, I stole it from the "A Prairie Home Companion" joke show. How shameful is THAT?

re: #106 Cathypop

Peanut butter and jellyfish

Close, jellyfish is usually served w/sesame sauce... (well Chinese dim sum style any way).

re: #95 revobob

If you look at "The Nixon Monument", try to imagine "The Obama Memorial"...

Ha! I had to go back and find that one. I imagine it would be NOTHING.

How to destroy civilization with global warming idiots.

re: #109 Afrocity

I love mental floss.

Just remember to practice daily.

re: #121 Occasional Reader

I admit, I stole it from the "A Prairie Home Companion" joke show. How shameful is THAT?

Shamefully funny!

re: #116 Occasional Reader

"O... BA.. MA... selllf... don't want to be... O... BA.. MA... selllf..."

Groan... :)
/

re: #116 Occasional Reader

"O... BA.. MA... selllf... don't want to be... O... BA.. MA... selllf..."

Oh...that's so bad, it's good.

re: #111 Occasional Reader

Knock, knock.

[waiting]

re: #112 steve

who'a there?

re: #113 Occasional Reader

Obama.

Running - desperately looking for cover - hyperventilation -, reminding one-self that the enemy is on new terrain here - regaining composure - mental functions revert to normal - looking for a vantage point - finding one - LURKING - W A I T I N G -

re: #115 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I like Crichton's thoughts in Jurassic Park "How presumptuous of you to think that man can destroy the earth..." (paraphrasing)

And "State of Fear", the first time I had ever heard of "Lear Jet Liberals". There's an excellent (and thought provoking) description of the Sequoia Forests.

/man can't destroy the Earth but they are currently capable of destroying most life on it

re: #115 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I like Crichton's thoughts in Jurassic Park "How presumptuous of you to think that man can destroy the earth..." (paraphrasing)

And "State of Fear", the first time I had ever heard of "Lear Jet Liberals". There's an excellent (and thought provoking) description of the Sequoia Forests.

Yes. He got to the point that is never emphasized enough in these silly debates about climate change: there IS no "normal" climate, it is changing constantly, and has changed radically in the last 10,000 years. The AGW climate change nonsense bears some striking similarity to young earth creationism: denial of the known facts of earth's history, insistence that everything has always been just as it is today. Even if every man made contribution were to end immediately, it would STILL change.

Stop wasting time and money on AGW research and invest it in ways to RESPOND to the inevitable. Our ancestors dealt with coastlines and climates shifting, but there were only a few million of them at the time.

I really liked Michael Crichton...now I like him much, much more...

from Wiki...

His final novel, published while he was still living was Next, printed in 2006. The novel follows many characters, including transgenic animals, in the quest to survive in a world dominated by genetic research, corporate greed, and legal interventions where government and private investors spend billions of dollars every year on genetic research. In his novel, Crichton introduces a minor character named "Mick Crowley" who is portrayed by Crichton as a child molester with a small penis. There is a real person named Michael Crowley, who is also a Yale graduate, and a senior editor of The New Republic, a left-leaning Washington D.C.-based political magazine who had written an article strongly critical of Crichton for his stance on global warming in his novel, State of Fear, earlier in March 2006.

Now if that don't make you happy...

re: #118 Sifty

President Petraeus will not stand for this. He will appoint VP Palin to fix this problem in their first term in office.

/praying

I'm trying hard not to invest too much hope(gah..another word ruined by liberals) in that rumor. Don't wish to be bitterly disappointed. Keeping my fingers crosses, though.

re: #124 AuntAcid

How to destroy civilization with global warming idiots.

/self replicating 0bots ?

This guy is amazing...

You are on a crowded bus when you suddenly realize...

you need to fart. The music is really loud, so you time your farts with the beat. You let go about 5 strong and loud ones back to back. After a couple of songs, you start to feel better as you approach your stop. As you are leaving the bus, people are really staring you down, and that's when you remember: you've been listening to your iPod.

re: #130 Killian Bundy

Twas precisely the point...

There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom is the title of a famous lecture given by physicist Richard Feynman at an American Physical Society meeting at Caltech on December 29, 1959. Feynman considered the possibility of direct manipulation of individual atoms as a more powerful form of synthetic chemistry than those used at the time.

Wiki quote

re: #132 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I liked Crichton, too. That story is hilarious.
Unrelated: I just read that Clive Cussler has had to pay 20 million dollars to the people who made a movie out of one of his novels. Not sure how that happened.

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.

Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.

Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.

Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.

And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

re: #140 Afrocity

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.

Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.

Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.

Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.

And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

LOL..Very funny!

re: #140 Afrocity

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.

Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.

Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.

Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.

And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

HAVE TO SHOW THAT TO WIFIE WHEN SHE GETS HOME FROM THE BIG APPLE

re: #142 yochanan

HAVE TO SHOW THAT TO WIFIE WHEN SHE GETS HOME FROM THE BIG APPLE

I DON'T THINK THAT'S FUNNY!

(ok- maybe a little bit)

But, I thought Nano tech was Fun! In a musical way...

re: #143 revobob

I DON'T THINK THAT'S FUNNY!

(ok- maybe a little bit)

Somebody here is milk carton bait.

re: #122 brookly red

Close, jellyfish is usually served w/sesame sauce... (well Chinese dim sum style any way).

And the texture of jellyfish -- at least as I've had it at Chinese restaurants in the States -- is surprisingly similar to freshly made sauerkraut. (If you'd told me I was eating some sort of shredded cabbage in a tangy sesame sauce, I would've believed it.) Once you're willing to try that first bite, it doesn't surprise you with any kind of nasty mouth-feel or weird aftertaste.

What happened to

4. Profit!?

If you remember that step, you might not need

5. Run like hell.

re: #69 Sharmuta

Yes yes! The Top 100 Things I'd Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord

#2 My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.

#142 from Cellblock A is my favorite so far.

Isn't a topic like this more appropriate for people on Daily Kos?

re: #149 DrCruel

Isn't a topic like this more appropriate for people on Daily Kos?

Why don't you ask them?

re: #149 DrCruel

That's right, there is absolutely no room for humor on an anti-idiotarian website. Shame on you, Charles.

///

Anyway, I thought it was a great bit.

"It's gonna take more than a dead cat and a ridiculous haircut to make you into a grade-a sociopath".

I knew this day would come :-(

Please run (don't walk) to the Metamodern blog [Link: metamodern.com...] and find out what Molecular Nanotechnology is and is not. Grey Goo worries are not realistic but anyone concerned with the issues of the day should understand this disruptive technology.