Because I’m in that kind of mood.
I have to go back in to work for a meeting tonight, and on top of that I’m 56 years old, and a single guy can’t expect to live much longer than that, but that’s probably just as well because I’m likely to lose my home anyway, because my ad for a roommate has been out for two whole days and I haven’t gotten a single bite yet.
So I’m not capable of much more than rudimentary thinking. Therefore I’ll just share something I think I posted before, but that was long ago on the old site. I think it was one of the better quotations I’ve ever heard (or read).
It comes from Newton Minnow, who I’m pretty sure is no longer living. He was famous for having a very silly name, and also for being the chairman of the FCC long before you were born, back when Kennedy was president (but I was already old). He famously called television “a vast wasteland,” back then, and was remembered for it ever after. But this quotation is better. It’s a description of Europe back when it was Europe. Which it isn’t anymore.
I quote from memory.
In England, everything is permitted except for that which is forbidden.
In Germany, everything is forbidden except for that which is permitted.
In Russia, everything is forbidden, including that which is permitted.
And in Italy, everything is permitted, especially that which is forbidden.
That’s all I got, folks. Go read Lileks.
Too bad they’re all turning into Germany and Russia 🙁
I like to think that Italy, like Tom Bombadil would be the last to fall. But who knows.
Nice, though, since you conveniently provided your age, Kennedy was the president back in `61 to `63. So, best case, we’re talking about at least 43 years ago. Meanwhile, Lars says he’s 56. So… were you old at 11-13 years old, Lars? 😀
Yes I was. Ask anybody who knew me back then. :-]
I took your advice & almost laughed out loud in the library at the gallery of questionable food, or whatever he called it.
Michael: welcome to Lileksland. He may be the funniest man on the net.