In new crime statistics released Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 500 murders in Chicago in 2012, up sharply from the 431 recorded in 2011. New York reported 419 murders last year, compared with 515 in 2011.
By the looks of it, Chicago will surpass that number this year with 311 homicides to date, according to statistics complied by RedEye.
…is never a good justification for doing anything.
Unfortunately, it is a common phenomenon in the world today. I saw quite a bit of it when I worked in Information Technology.
Programmers routinely add “functionality” that serves no earthly purpose to a perfectly serviceable system, Because We Can. In business, executives spend gazillions of dollars on projects that are barely implementable and offer dubious or non-existent gains in productivity, Because We Can. Our government tries to deliver unicorns, cellphones, and healthcare to everyone in the land through labyrinthine, bureaucratic monoliths, Because We Can. This is the kind of thinking that contributed to my mental collapse while at IBM.
But enough about my psychoses. Here is a lovely example of Because We Can from the world of architecture:
Let’s forget for a moment that this building will be erected near the Incheon Airport outside Seoul, and take a look at the reasoning behind it:
The architects claim that the Tower Infinity as it is called will, “provide the World’s first invisible tower, showcasing innovative Korean technology.”
Uh huh.
In reality, it’s just a system of cameras and projectors. It’s been done. Just not on this scale, or in such a wildly inappropriate application. The architects go on to say that Tower Infinity will display Korean technology by, “establishing its most powerful presence through diminishing its presence.”
Yeah, it’s presence will be diminished all right, just as soon as the first airplane smacks into it!
Not to worry though—Given how overly-complicated technology works in practice, this building will probably look less invisible and more like Microsoft’s notorious Blue Screen of Death.
If you’re as depressed as I am about what’s happening in the world, don’t read the newspaper today. Shootings in DC Navy Yard, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Chicago…Brrrr!
So I peek out from under the covers today to take a look around. It’s a beautiful, sunny, autumn day. I flip open the laptop and see this:
As I shuddered in horror—because, you know, who isn’t afraid of clowns, spooky or not?—it occurred to me that this is a perfect metaphor for the state of the world.
There’s some strange, evil, nasty lurking things going on out there so please, be careful!
Those Pesky Penguins of YSU are up next for the Spartans. Coach D was once their Defensive Coordinator, which is likely how they got on our schedule.
Did you know?
Youngstown State University traces its beginnings to a commercial law course offered by the Young Men’s Christian Association in 1908. The YMCA had offered high school level and vocational courses since 1888, but wanted to meet the college-level needs of area residents in a society undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. The “Y” offered courses on law, business and engineering, and in 1910, even instituted a School of Law that granted no degree, but prepared students to take the bar exam. In 1916, the YMCA incorporated all of its educational work under the Youngstown Association School.
My unofficial line for tomorrow’s game, MSU D 21—YSU 0, YSU 10—MSU O 6.
They ain’t the SMB, but then who is? Not bad, not bad at all!
This year I thought I’d honor MSU’s opponents by featuring their fight songs. Well, life got in the way last week so let me start with the Western Michigan University Fight Song, Go Broncos!—one of the better fight songs in my opinion…
According to recently released crime statistics, the FBI ranked Chicago as the Murder Capital of the United States. The relevant numbers are as follows:
