Sometimes think I’ve become inured to all the terrible things you see in the news, but I think no one with a soul can fail to be moved by the plight of these poor devils.

Wright Flyer?

Interesting thread. Many developments were undoubtedly triggered by the two world wars, but without those conflicts would the scientist and industrialists of the day been working on other things, or maybe come at the same things from a different direction? What would Werner Von Braun have been doing if there were no war; looking at putting sattellites into orbit? And if Frank Whittle found no interest in his jets for the RAF, might he have gone to the US and talked Douglas or Lockheed into an early jet airliner? And how about all the brilliant minds committed to things like the Battle of the Atlantic, breaking the Enigma code, etc; what would they have been doing from 1939 to 1945? In short, maybe the loss of impetus from the “No War” scenario might have been counterbalanced by freeing science and industry to pursue other things? (Don’t claim to be an expert in these things, so don’t shoot me down in flames if I’ve got anything wrong, eh?)

Thought-provoking stuff. Reminds me of that extremely poignant moment at the end of the final “Blackadder” when the picture of the trench dissolves into a peaceful latter day green field with birds singing.

“The Family Way” The bit where bluff, stern father John Mills suddenly breaks down and tells his son (Hywell Bennett) “It’s called Life, son. You might laugh at it at your age, but one day it’ll break your bloody heart.” Also (not a movie, I know) the part in “The Office” Christmas special where Dawn goes back to the party for Tim. Never fails to open the floodgates. 😮

Fortunately, I don’t actually get nagged at much, but I do sometimes get the silent treatment. Ask what the problem is, and all I get is a sigh and a plaintive “Nothing…”

Stubbed my little toe quite badly last night, and still not sure I haven’t broken it. Didn’t just want to swear, I did so quite profusely and quite profanely. All the more annoying for knowing it was my own fault for walking without shoes in the dark when I’d also just had a little of the old “Scottish Wine” 🙁

Sad news, but I must confess to mixed feelings about Higgins. As a Snooker player, on his day, he was utterly unique, and even White and O’Sullivan could never be so exciting. On the other hand, it’s hard to respect anyone who head-butts tournament officials and threatens to have his fellow players shot. Did a lot to turn Snooker from a fusty old men’s game into a modern sport, though.