John Farrier's Blog Posts
Jeff Cooper (1920-2006) was an American firearms instructor who systematically studied, refined, and taught self-defense using the mind, the handgun, and the rifle. His books and his commentaries are interesting to read, not only for his practical firearms information, but his well-written expositions on the meaning of masculinity. Cooper maintained a carefully thought-out vision of what it means to be a man that would not be alien to our friends at The Art of Manliness.
In one passage in The Art of the Rifle, Cooper wrote about the instructional duties of a father to his sons:
I'm personally leery of any formal concept of masculinity or femininity because it can mean getting yourself trapped in the identity with which other people desire to burden you (e.g. "X is what it means to be manly; why aren't you doing X?).
Nonetheless, I agree with Cooper's general sentiment that a parent should prepare a child to enter a dangerous world. Here are, of the top of my head, some of the skills that I will intentionally teach my daughters:
What skills do you think are essential for parents to teach their children?
via The View from North Central Idaho | Photo by Flickr user bterrycompton used under Creative Commons license
In one passage in The Art of the Rifle, Cooper wrote about the instructional duties of a father to his sons:
Before the young man leaves home, there are certain things he should know and certain skills he should acquire, apart from any state-sponsored activity. Certainly the youngster should be taught to swim, strongly and safely, at distance. And young people of either sex should be taught to drive a motor vehicle, and if at all possible, how to fly a light airplane. I believe a youngster should be taught the rudiments of hand-to-hand combat, unarmed, together with basic survival skills. The list is long, but it is a parent's duty to make sure that the child does not go forth into the world helpless in the face of its perils. Shooting, of course, is our business, and shooting should not be left up to the state.
I'm personally leery of any formal concept of masculinity or femininity because it can mean getting yourself trapped in the identity with which other people desire to burden you (e.g. "X is what it means to be manly; why aren't you doing X?).
Nonetheless, I agree with Cooper's general sentiment that a parent should prepare a child to enter a dangerous world. Here are, of the top of my head, some of the skills that I will intentionally teach my daughters:
- How to change a tire, engine oil, a headlight, a battery, and jump-start a car without assistance.
- How to swim (see also)
- How to seek and apply for a job.
- How to ask a reference question.
- When to keep your mouth shut.
- How to save money.
What skills do you think are essential for parents to teach their children?
via The View from North Central Idaho | Photo by Flickr user bterrycompton used under Creative Commons license
It's the end of the line here at NeatoGeek. Alas, we just aren't cranking out a profit, so we're shutting down this blog. I'm still posting at Neatorama, so you'll see over there a lot of the geekery content that you've enjoyed here.
My thanks to Alex for the chance to try out something different, to my patient wife for giving me the extra time, and all of our readers and commenters who made NeatoGeek a part of their day. It's been a blast.
My thanks to Alex for the chance to try out something different, to my patient wife for giving me the extra time, and all of our readers and commenters who made NeatoGeek a part of their day. It's been a blast.
Two weeks ago, while finishing up the third season of Star Trek: Enterprise, I wrote about my affections for Captain Jonathan Archer. I've now completed the entire run, and thoroughly enjoyed it -- especially the fourth and final season. So I'd like to address the criticisms leveled against the show. Spoilers after the jump.
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This is for all you new people: I only have one rule. Everyone fights. No one quits. You don't do your job, I'll shoot you myself. You get me?
Cartoonists Mike Cornnell and Dana Wulfekotte have a great idea. Hollywood, please make this movie.
Link via Culture Kills
(Video Link)
I've previously featured Japanese beatbox performer Hikanin demonstrating the Super Mario Bros. theme music. He's back, this time performing music from Street Fighter.
via technabob | Official Website - Google Translator Version
Geek Tyrant came up with a gallery of alternate movie posters, mostly from the superhero and horror genres, with a retro feel and different actors. I don't know which artist to attribute, but s/he's a genius! Featuring Clint Eastwood as Wolverine and Boris Karloff as Skeletor.
http://geektyrant.com/news/2010/8/21/incredibly-awesome-movie-posters-from-an-alternate-universe.html
Artist Cody Frisbee took six monsters and creatures from Dungeons & Dragons and imagined them as sports team mascots. I'd love to root for the Gelatinous Cubes, who would, of course, hail from Cleveland.
Geeks Are Sexy (SFW content, despite the URL) has a roundup of all six mascots.
Link via Geekosystem | deviantART Gallery
Tony Chavira of Master Planning examined the livability of five futuristic cities depicted in science fiction franchises: The Jetsons, Futurama, Blade Runner, and Star Wars (Coruscant and Tatooine). Here's what he has to say about the disadvantages of Luke Skywalker's home planet:
http://fourstory.org/features/story/sci-fi-density-and-social-justice/ via reddit
Tatooine has very few natural resources aside from sand and water. The indigenous “sand people” are violent and roam around in packs with weapons with few in authority to stop them, which makes it dangerous to be outside at night (or during the day in some cases). On top of that, there is really no centralized authority on the planet aside from an area that is deliberately sectioned off for an international mafia family. Similar to the way “thug life” is structured, the Hutts give back to the community it exploits, and runs the planet like a fiefdom. Because of this, and as there is little possibility for economic growth deriving from the planet’s natural resources, it is a very difficult and harsh environment to live day-to-day.
http://fourstory.org/features/story/sci-fi-density-and-social-justice/ via reddit
deviantART user Tara Reich made this outfit that looks like a TARDIS. The Fourth Doctor scarf from Limebarb adds to the groovy 70s look. Reich does some amazing work and her cosplay gallery is worth a click.
Link via Topless Robot | Gallery
Yesterday, I posted a video of a live performance battle between Tekken and Street Fighter characters at a con in Germany. What I didn't know was that it featured the directors of those games, Katsuhiro Harada and Yoshinori Ono, respectively. Apparently, they've spent the past week getting in mock battles with each other and playing pranks at the hotel. Kotaku has a roundup of pictures and tweets from this clash.
Not many men look good in a Chun-Li outfit. Including this one.
Link
These Whovians are getting quite data-focused. I've previously posted about a spreadsheet detailing every villain or foe in Doctor Who. Now The Guardian created a similar workbook in Google Docs showing each time that the Doctor has traveled in time. You can download it so that you can run your own custom calculations.
Link via io9 | Image: BBC
Link via io9 | Image: BBC
Artist Kyle Starks drew ABC figures for lesser-known Marvel villains. His copyright notice speaks of a dark conspiracy:
All these lame-os are property of Marvel Comics, which is owned by Disney. Which is owned by the frozen head of Walt Disney.
Link via Super Punch | Artist's Website
At a recent convention in Cologne,Germany, Namco had martial artists/actors put on a live performance of a battle between Street Fighter and Tekken characters. It's about sixteen minutes long and hilariously weird. It resembles the drama of professional wrestling more than anything else.
via Kotaku
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