Monthly Archives: Jul 2020

I like the West

Posted on Jul 31, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

I often wonder why those who hold Western governments to the highest standards and relentlessly criticize them are often remarkably tolerant of the more egregious crimes and failures of non-Western governments. It’s almost as if the principle is not the … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged | Leave a comment

Idiot fruit

Posted on Jul 30, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

If a tree native to Australia is called Idiot fruit (or, more scientifically, Idiospermun australiense), would it be a good idea to each its seeds? No. No, it would not. Because, this being Australia, of course it is poisonous; it contains a … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jockeying for position

Posted on Jul 29, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

I know I’ve quoted this part from Frank Herbert before, but it’s still as relevant as ever: Paul said: “Once I saw the body of a drowned fisherman recovered. The interesting thing about this man was the wounds on his … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remember “Awakenings”?

Posted on Jul 28, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

I watched Penny Marshall’s “Awakenings” shortly after it was released and the movie has stayed with me ever since. It is a tragic story of the effects on the survivors of an epidemic of encephalitis lethargica that raged from 1915 … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

AI enhanced pictures

Posted on Jul 27, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

AI of course being Machine Learning (ML) instead of Artificial Intelligence, but you know how it is. One thing I hadn’t thought about is all the grainy pictures of suspects of crimes. They will of course be enhanced into a … Continue reading →

Posted in Development | Tagged , | Leave a comment

COVID-19 immunity

Posted on Jul 26, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

Anyone reading headlines like “Immunity to Covid-19 could be lost in months” must be forgiven for feeling a bit depressed. Fortunately, that is not exactly what the science says. Or rather, the article refers to a study that show that … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Let us show some respect

Posted on Jul 25, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

The recent announcement from Kanye West and his family about his illness reminded me of something that was on full display in Danish media coverage in the final years of the life of the Prince Consort Henrik: Something was clearly … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Protectionism

Posted on Jul 24, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

Some time ago I watched a video on the demise of Harley-Davidson and was reminded of the fallacy of relying on protectionism. I didn’t know HD had lobbied the American government to impose duties on Japanese motorbikes, but the result … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TIL about the Russian 2nd Pacific Squadron

Posted on Jul 23, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

During the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-05 Russia formed a 2nd Pacific Squadron, and today I heard the amusing and incredulous story of its journey to the Battle of Tsushima. You will probably not believe it, but at least some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Something about American puritanism

Posted on Jul 22, 2020 by Henning Michael Møller Just

A long time ago the American Congress held hearings about Rock and Heavy Metal and its supposed “bad influence on children”. I didn’t know that part of the background was later Vice President Al Gore’s wife’s statements about Heavy Metal … Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , | Leave a comment