We have recently learned of an ancient Jewish celebration: the Sukkot. This has WLBOTT written all over it! Temporary outdoor structures, agricultural roots, branches overhead, communal meals, ancient tradition, and a certain theological acceptance that the roof is not supposed to be particularly good. As Elder G summarizes: And there’s a lot here worth exploring […]
part 2 of 27 We continue with the misfiring of creaky neurons: Pigeon head-bobbing → motion parallax → astronomical parallax → distances to nearby stars → calibration of Cepheid variable stars → distances to nearby galaxies → compare galaxy distance with spectral redshift → Hubble–Lemaître law → Hubble constant. Today, let’s talk parallax. As a […]
Why Do We Put Up With This? (part 1 of 999) I first heard the term “Savior Syndrome” from Gaslit Nation, a podcast by Andrea Chulupa and Sarah Kendzior. Gaslit Nation a no-nonsense discussion of the nightmare we’ve descended into since peoDolf took office in 2016. It was first used in the context of the […]
At WLBOTT we love those that follow their passion – a passion that explores creativity, protects the vulnerable, inspires the marginalized; passions that challenge the artificial and demeaning chains of hierarchical society. Often a passion that leads to loneliness and isolation in pursuit of an inner belief. Today we’re going to look at strongwomen. Our […]
We offer yet another reason why you shouldn’t let idiots govern you. Shoe related…. Fulk IV (1043 – 14 April 1109), better known as Fulk le Réchin, was the count of Anjou from around 1068 until his death. He was noted to be “a man with many reprehensible, even scandalous, habits” by Orderic Vitalis, who […]
Double Pendulum A double pendulum is a pendulum attached to a pendulum. Here’s a very creative video that maps double pendulums to graphs, sounds, and spirograph curves. The double pendulum lends itself to some beautiful time lapse photos. The Make Magazine web site shows you how to build a double pendulum at home or office […]
Most of the WLBOTT Elders’ CPU cycles are spent on upcoming naps, donuts, background defragmentation and existential dread. But lately we’ve been thinking about fairy tales. We’re attracted to their dream-like structure, the odd rewards and punishments, and the departure from the modern 3-act narrative. Also, they give an insight into what people valued. What […]
Fairy tales and folk tales are fascinating. They remind me more of dreams than what we considered a traditional three act narrative. Improbable things happen, which lead to more improbable things, and sometimes there is a resolution (happily ever after) and sometimes there is no resolution, and often no happy ending. Last night I was […]
Circumnavigation series Next in the series Friedrichshafen → Heraklion (HER): ~1,020 milesCumulative Miles/Kilometers: 5,500 / 8,851 Elder G and I headed down to our next refueling stop – Heraklion, on the Greek island of Crete. Travel Notes: Maintaining our Rituals As you may be aware, many WLBOTT locations like to begin the day […]
As you recall, Fred, the Intern Penitent, is currently charged to WLBOTT, as penance for an incident at his Catholic Middle School. (https://www.wlbott.com/?p=62483) In order to understand Fred’s plight, we must understand his educational environment. Fred attends St. Gangulf Middle School. The “Whoopee Cushion Riots”, and Fred’s youthful rebellion has come to be known, occurred […]