Archive for February 2011

Warjacks and Dollhouses

23 Feb, 2011 | Brian |

I am old enough to remember the 80s, when the Frenetic Housemoms of America(TM) collectively swallowed the urban myth that Dungeons & Dragons was linked to Satanism. I had picked up the Red Box at a Kay-Bee Toys somewhere around 1983 or 84, and had run games with my brother and my dad. Old-schoolers will remember fondly such awfulness as an Elf with 1 hit point at first level. That was my dad's character. As a very young DM, I had my hands full trying to keep him alive as they waded hip-deep through kobold-infested caves. We didn't do anything Satanic that I can recall. Not a single pentagram was drawn; not a single goat was sacrificed (note: we actually owned a goat then, so the victim was handy).

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Europa Off the Jersey Shore

06 Feb, 2011 | Brian |

I have tweeted excitedly a few times now about the Exoplanet App (free iTunes link) that I have been playing with lately. This is the kind of thing that I can get really worked up about. As of this writing it reports 526 exoplanets. The three-dee galaxy has me practically bouncing around like a kid.

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Chasm Crosser

01 Feb, 2011 | Brian |

Here is a thought experiment: Imagine there is a deep, dangerous chasm that you must cross. To fall into it means certain death. Two bridges are available. The first was built by an expert engineer, the second was built by a monk with no engineering knowledge. The monk assures you that he prayed earnestly that his bridge would not fail. The engineer assures you that his construction uses scientifically tested principles. 

It's not much of a choice, is it? Think about it honestly. 

Now suppose that the monk claims his prayers are always answered. I don't know about you, but I would still cross on the engineer's bridge.