Air forces Oct 10, 2013
I learned recently that the world's largest air force is the United States Air Force, with 5484 aircraft.  The world's second largest air force is the United States Navy, with 3700 aircraft.  The next largest force is Russia's, with about 1900 aircraft. 

On a related note, I once heard someone say the Navy has its own air force and its own army (the Marine Corps).  And in reference to the Marines' purchase of aircraft, an Army officer was quoted as saying, "Why does the Navy's army need its own air force?"
Don't need adjectives Sep 30, 2013
Neil DeGrasse Tyson on how big the sun would look if you were standing on the surface of Mercury:  "Twice as big ... When we can quantify it, you don't need adjectives."
On cat videos Sep 26, 2013
On the Media's take on the appeal of internet cat videos over dog videos:  "Dog owners want their dog to be human, and cat owners want to be a cat."
Call it a day Sep 20, 2013
I was driving to work the other day, and I hit traffic right from the get-go.  Normally my 11-mile commute is quiet and uneventful, but occasionally there are a few small backups.  The first backup happened before I even left my town.  The second backup happened so far from any backup I've seen before, I wasn't sure what was even happening.  By the third backup, I should've just turned around and called it a day.  It's one thing if traffic and whatnot is part of your daily life.  But when there are several events that disrupt your day first thing in the morning, what's the point of continuing?  I should've just gone back home and taken a nap, then tried again later.  Or not at all.  It's not like this day was any more important than any other day.  Life's too short to sit around in traffic waiting to get to work.
Ratings and opinions Sep 17, 2013
I started using Goodreads because I wanted some good book recommendations.  But the feature I use most often is simply browsing the books with the highest ratings.  The problem with this is immediately evident:  Highly-rated books aren't necessarily good.  But the other thing I've noticed is that highly-rated books of a specific genre aren't necessarily good if you don't like the genre.  For example, if you're into the young adult dystopian genre and happen to like all the highly-rated books, you might not be able to simply go over to the science fiction genre and immediately like all their best offerings.  In fact, you might end up liking some of the lower-rated ones, because science fiction just isn't your thing, or because the people who like science fiction might rate books based on a certain set of criteria that isn't the same across different genres. 

In conclusion, book ratings are fairly useless, as are pretty much any ratings of things based on personal opinions, which is pretty much everything.  The end.
Windows on shared computers (1) Sep 12, 2013
Every time I go to a meeting at work where there's a shared computer in the conference or meeting room, here's what happens: 
  1. User starts the computer and waits for it to boot.
  2. User logs on.
  3. Computer displays "Welcome..." for 5 minutes.
  4. Computer displays "Setting up your desktop..." for 5 minutes.
  5. User closes the various popups and program setup windows and starts Powerpoint.
  6. Computer asks user to identify self.
  7. Computer flashes a variety of useless, obtrusive features of Windows software.
This is dumb.  And it feels like one of those things Microsoft should've worked out by this point.  The only thing people want on a shared computer is simple, quick access to the features they need right away -- basic file management and office software.  Why isn't there an option on the login screen called "Quick Start" or something?
Teachers and curriculum Aug 29, 2013
I wonder if part of the reason why kids hate school so much is because the curriculum is designed by people who like learning.  Literature curricula include "classics" that seem to be either loved or hated.  Nobody feels moderately about Shakespeare.  The same goes for science and math.  Do you really need to know how to prove a geometry theorem or what the atomic weight of Unobtainium is?  Of course not, unless you're going into a career field that might value that knowledge.  These topics are covered because a bunch of academics got together and decided that's what everyone should know. #education
Hulu on Roku Aug 28, 2013
I've been using the Hulu app on Roku for the past few months, and it's one of the best and worst things ever.  It's great because it streams tons of content and even has some good original programming.  It's bad because it's terribly designed.  For one, it's god-awful slow.  It feels like it might be trying to do too much at once.  All I really want is quick and easy access to the shows I want to watch.  I don't need the constant reminders about documentaries and cartoons.  It's also very unresponsive to clicks with the remote.  It takes a while to play or pause or do anything.  Finally, why are there commercials when I'm paying for Plus?  I realize my paid subscription gets me access to more content, but why show me commercials?  That's stupid.  Also, one major missing piece:  CBS.
Panda hate Aug 28, 2013
The gist of Why I Hate Pandas and You Should Too is similar to my post a few years ago on the topic:  Pandas don't like reproducing, and they only eat wood.
Dog blood Aug 26, 2013
Interesting quote from NPR:  "America is facing a blood shortage -- a shortage of dog blood."  My thoughts exactly.