don't shoot the pianist » Miscellaneous

Why, hello to you too

theProject — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:44:32 +0000

Seen at the Serbia vs. Ghana World Cup match this morning:

Stat of the day

theProject — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

I’m getting claustrophobic just looking at this:

“A thorough government survey in 1987 … estimated that 33,000 people resided within the Walled City’s area of 6.5 acres.”

Given a limit of fourteen stories on buildings (imposed due to nearby Kai Tak Airport), that works out to a maximum 120 square feet of land per person—and that’s making the absurd assumption that every square inch was used as liveable space.

Missing the point

theProject — Sun, 31 May 2009 05:45:39 +0000

The Saudis have beheaded and crucified a man convicted of double homicide:

Crucifying the headless body in a public place is a way to set an example, according to the kingdom’s strict interpretation of Islam. Normally those convicted of rape, murder and drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia are just beheaded.

You know, I’m not sure these guys get the point. The idea behind crucifixion as an execution method was to cause an agonizing, prolonged suffering before death. It’s where we get our English word excruciating from. So, beheading the man first and then crucifying the body—well, that just defeats the purpose entirely, doesn’t it?