The great Robert A. Heinlein published a short story entitled Solution Unsatisfactory in 1940.
The plot concerns a secret project to develop an atomic bomb to combat Nazi Germany, but the scientists involved with the project face insurmountable problems. Eventually the idea is hit upon to use the radioactive wastes from their experiments, ground up into a dust, which could be released downwind from enemy cities. The inhabitants of the city would all die in a few days, and the city itself would be poisoned by radioactivity for some years afterwards.
I have no idea if Gen. Douglas MacArthur was a Heinlein fan or not, but he suggested the same scheme during the Korean War. He publicly said that radioactive waste could be used to create an impassable minefield between the Communists and the Allies. That way the US could still use a nuclear weapon of a sort without goading the Soviets into using their own atomic bombs.
It seems that a few formerly secret documents have been released to the media, and the author of this Associated Press news article thinks he has some sort of scoop. A study was made in 1948 to use radioactive waste as a weapon, years after Heinlein came up with the idea (and published it in the most popular science fiction magazine in the world), and years before MacArthur stole it as his own (and stood up in front of the newsreel cameras to publicly explain the scheme to the entire free world).
Oh my gosh! Stop the presses!
Admittedly, the thing the reporter keeps going on about is how the study looked into using radioactive agents as assassination tools. The author even admits that the free world never tried it, while the Russians seem to have perfected the technique. But he still seems to think that 59 year old documents which discuss weapons we never used to be some sort of newsworthy event.
You know, I want to have a romantic relationship with Jessica Alba. I just don’t think it will ever happen.
Oh my gosh! Stop the presses! There’s a famous and attractive actress who will never sleep with me!
Cross posted at Hell in a Handbasket.)
For that matter, why is ANYTHING concerning Paris Hilton or Britney Spears news?
Since we approach things from the economic angle around here, someone ought to ask Miss Alba to the blackboard and derive the Slutsky Equation.
why are blackboards green?
Gen M, it seems, was a whackjob post-WWII and Truman (pardon, a Democrat) wisely ridded us of him.
David,
Just to add to your comment, the respected military historian Bevin Alexander once called MacArthur a Jekyle and Hyde general who managed to come with some of the most brilliant plans in military history (Inchon, the New Guinea campaign) as well as some of the worst (the defense of the Philippines, ignoring the Chinese threat near the Yalu river). This does imply however, that this was not just a post-WWII thing for him.
what is this ugly blotch on a pretty blue ocean picture?
“…ugly blotch…”
Let me explain. It is often the case that adult males derive gratification from looking at photographs of young, slim, pretty women, typically in revealing clothing, minimally clothed, or even entirely unclothed.
This phenomenom is pretty commonly observed worldwide, to the point that it is probably fair to describe it as “universal”.
In fact, such images probably constitutes more than half of the total traffic on the internet.
So, while it manifestations of this phenomenon are not typically encountered on this site, it is not shocking that it may be from time to time.
As to whether Ms. Alba is ugly, I leave that to the private taste of the viewer. I would vote “no” to that proposition, however.
I am familiar with the phenomenon, Lex, thank you.
Incomprehensible, and totally illogical, but so are many other things (adherence of vast quantity of ex-Soviet citizens to socialist ideas despite their own hands-on familiarity with it, etc). So I just shove it to the packet with “men quirks” label.
As to the ugliness: I was convinced that everybody by this time share this staple of evolutionary biologists re: the waist-to-hips ratio. This poor excuse of a woman’s ratio is 1. No waist or hips to talk about. 5 ga of olive oil, to compensate for lack of natural glow. Fake (and thin) hair – for a girl with African blood. Earlobes that grown in, sign of a lier. Fake “innocence” stare – considering the pose – especially the hands. I’d agree she’s attractive – but her appeal is far from universal – I’d say certain men, those who find fake French maids, “nuns”, “schoolgirls” or “nurses” in primitive porn attractive will probably salivate over this one, too.
What a difference with borderless blue ocean…
“…Incomprehensible, and totally illogical…”
There actually seem to be sound evolutionary reasons for it the relatively higher impact of visual stimuli on males.
As to the more specific critique of Ms. Alba, I will agree that the vegetable oil and blank look, that type of now-standard Maxim-type presentation, are not enhancements, and are not my cup of tea.
There is a nude-photo site whose owner makes a point of showing only models who look normal (albeit very attractive) and are usually smiling. I think he’s on to something. He is not based in the USA, BTW.
“…only models who look normal (albeit very attractive) and are usually smiling.”
I will never look at that site. It would be like heroin.
Don’t you understand? Radiation is evil! Its absolutely scandalous that anyone would contemplate using it in any form whatsoever.
As to the model, well, I can say she has very pretty skeleton because I can see most of it.
Incomprehensible, and totally illogical, but so are many other things (adherence of vast quantity of ex-Soviet citizens to socialist ideas despite their own hands-on familiarity with it, etc). So I just shove it to the packet with “men quirks” label.
You are equating an appreciation of Ms. Alba’s charms with devotion to Socialism?
….Is she a collective?
James
James R. Rummel,
Is she a collective?
No, but the social factors that educate men of this generation to consider her a great beauty to form a collective.
Fifty years ago, when Marilyn Monroe reigned as beauty queen, Ms Alba would have been consider an unfortunately gawky rail of women with nothing but her symmetrical face to recommend her. Today, Marilyn Monroe would still be a counter-girl desperately trying to lose weight so that she could break into show biz.
When we passed the point of wealth where even the poor found it easy to get enough food to be fat, we began viewing slimmer people as healthier and thus more desirable. Social competition and the amplifying effect of modern media created an vision of beauty in which women must be literally so thin that one can see their bones protruding through their skin.
In most times and most cultures, Ms. Alba would not be considered pretty or sexy. Only the perversities of our age have created a collective consensus that she is.
James,
I’m putting both in “incomprehensible” category.
I mean, I’d understand your urge if you were my son’s age: at 21 the question “What am I going to talk about with her in the morning?” doesn’t arise.
“I mean, I’d understand your urge if you were my son’s age: at 21 the question “What am I going to talk about with her in the morning?” doesn’t arise.”
Now, I must say, speaking strictly as a feminist, I am shocked, just shocked, at the incredibly sexist and anti-woman imputation from Tatyana that Ms. Alba, just because she is young, skinny, and has a pretty face, is not likely to have something to talk about in the morning. I have no reason to think that after an evening spent in whatever activity Tatyana may be thinking of, that Ms. Alba would not surprise Mr. Rummel with the happy disclosure that she would like nothing better than to go on a date with him to the pistol range, and that she has read more than a dozen books about aircraft carrier operations in the Pacific Theatre in World War II, and is just all around a delightful person to chat with.
Lex, how likely do you think it is that she is interesting to talk with?
Lex, you’re absolutely rigth – she might be all those things, for all we know (or I know…mmm…what do I know?), but it’s not how Mr.Rummel has described her appealing qualities, and I quote(emphasis mine)
“There’s a famous and attractive actress who will never sleep with me!”
Not a word about sharing notes on bomber’ books. She’s a)famous b) attractive c) actress. No expectation of her actually opening that pretty (if that) mouth of hers…for the purpose of legible communicaiton.
Not saying Mr.Rummel didn’t have in mind a mutual trip to the pistol range, but he was silent on the matter; I’m only using the data given.
Not a word about sharing notes on bomber’ books. She’s a)famous b) attractive c) actress. No expectation of her actually opening that pretty (if that) mouth of hers”¦for the purpose of legible communicaiton.
The whole point of the whole Famous-Attractive-Actress triangle is that it is exceedingly unlikely that she would deign to speak to me, let alone spend an evening in carnal bliss. Why? Because she is famous enough, has enough media exposure, and is considered attractive by enough people, that the pool of potential mates available to Ms. Alba pretty much pushes me out of the running. Not even my mad pistol instructor skills would cause me to stand out enough to attract her attention.
So far as conversation is concerned, I’m willing to talk to her if she is willing to sleep with me. It is doubtful that many people would think it would be a fair exchange, but it is a legitimate offer nonetheless.
James
Considering the enlightening comment by Mr.Rummel above: Lex, you have a perfect illustration of all those sins you accuse me of.
Famous attractive actresses who won’t sleep with ChicagoBoyz contributors make up pretty much the entire population of famous attractive actresses. Why this is the case is an issue for another day. I think that being bloggers is correlated but not causational, i.e. even if all of us stopped blogging entirely none of us would, given finite time, become attractive to any famous attractive actresses.
Mr. Rummel’s blunt and open talk about these sensitive and distasteful issues is something we all respect.