f.o.i.l. or quadratic erratic

From beyond the land of Mathmagic, there is a lively debate about the identity—and indeed the complexity of the infamous equation and set of approaches that dealt a coup de grâce to the stock markets and exchanges, which ticker-taped out of Wall Street. Rather than a formula that takes an inscrutable and evil-genius to comprehend, however, one source, which is not alone in its disappointing accusations, offers proof that a much simpler but overlooked preparatory lesson caused that down-fall. Many sources were satisfied with putting the blame on early, emergent and exotic sets of equations that governed derivatives and other seductive pyramid schemes and championed by most all subsequent publications. I felt the dazzle of these novel formulas were to blame as well, but it is generally the case that it is easier to obscure one’s own motives, greed and misapprehension behind a knotty math problem than admitting to not doing one’s homework, despite the culture.

punxsutawney

With the augurers turning their attention to omens of Ground Hog Day soon, I’m reminded of a weird tale, vintage sci-fi pulp by Frederik Pohl called the Tunnel under the World. That featured a day, however, whose repeating was a questionable occurrence.

toute votre base sont nous appartiennent

French illustrator Sebastien Feraut (with the nom de plume Niark1) has a wealth of artwork to explore, and I particularly like this adventure landscape mapping out twenty things that were recently brought to us by the internet. Can you pick them all out?

lexical or i will not buy this record, it is scratched

One of my favourite passages from the helpful and earnest 1884 Portuguese authors’ phrase book “English as she is Spoke” is on Trades, which presents the career possibilities of “starch-maker, porter, barber, Chinaman, coffeeman, Founder, Porkshop keeper, gravedigger, Cartwright, Tradesman, Tinker (a brasier), Stockingmender, Nailer, and Lochmaker.” Another is a bestiary of quadruped’s including Lamb, Roebuck, Ass, Dragon, Shi Ass, wild sow, Ass-colt, Lioness, Ram (Aries) and Dormouse. Of course, there’s small talk, like For to wish the good-morning—How does your father do? He is very well. I am very delight of it. Were is it? I shall come back soon, I was no came to know that to know how you are. Willingly good by.