Harald Hanche-Olsen 🇳🇴
@hagra.no
Retired mathematician living in Trondheim, Norway 🇳🇴
– in training to become a curmudgeon.
– in training to become a curmudgeon.
Instead, the lesson from Ukraine should be that we do have the capacity to become “superhuman” ourselves, if need be. Perhaps, just perhaps, that might give us the confidence to face down the danger and deal with it more efficiently. (A man may dream.)
February 8, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Instead, the lesson from Ukraine should be that we do have the capacity to become “superhuman” ourselves, if need be. Perhaps, just perhaps, that might give us the confidence to face down the danger and deal with it more efficiently. (A man may dream.)
I think there is an important point there, about Ukrainians not being superhuman. If we in western Europe believe they are, then it's so easy to conclude that if (or when) it is our turn, we would not be able to deal with it ourselves.
February 8, 2026 at 11:11 AM
I think there is an important point there, about Ukrainians not being superhuman. If we in western Europe believe they are, then it's so easy to conclude that if (or when) it is our turn, we would not be able to deal with it ourselves.
Except it's not Amazon's content. Sure, that will deprive them of some profit, and that is well deserved. But you also deprive the creators of that content of income. It would be better to look for other, legitimate ways to get the books and music you want.
February 5, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Except it's not Amazon's content. Sure, that will deprive them of some profit, and that is well deserved. But you also deprive the creators of that content of income. It would be better to look for other, legitimate ways to get the books and music you want.
Minor nitpick: The name is Marine Le Pen, not Marie. Or, if you want: Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen. “Marine” is just a nickname.
February 4, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Minor nitpick: The name is Marine Le Pen, not Marie. Or, if you want: Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen. “Marine” is just a nickname.
The video is removed. Why? It was there not long ago.
January 26, 2026 at 11:47 PM
The video is removed. Why? It was there not long ago.
Some non-lethal fireworks for once! Enjoy!
January 20, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Some non-lethal fireworks for once! Enjoy!
They wouldn't because they couldn't. The statutes don't allow it. They have indeed made many mistakes over the years, but I wouldn't count this as one of them.
January 16, 2026 at 12:30 PM
They wouldn't because they couldn't. The statutes don't allow it. They have indeed made many mistakes over the years, but I wouldn't count this as one of them.
Oh, wait – I just read the Salon article linked by someone else in the thread – and it convinced me they probably should have known better.
January 16, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Oh, wait – I just read the Salon article linked by someone else in the thread – and it convinced me they probably should have known better.
Unfortunately, the statutes don't allow it. The peace prize committe's mistakes are forever.
Hindsight is perfect, but it does make me wonder how well they research the candidates before awarding the prize.
Hindsight is perfect, but it does make me wonder how well they research the candidates before awarding the prize.
January 16, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Unfortunately, the statutes don't allow it. The peace prize committe's mistakes are forever.
Hindsight is perfect, but it does make me wonder how well they research the candidates before awarding the prize.
Hindsight is perfect, but it does make me wonder how well they research the candidates before awarding the prize.
Indeed, but they can't stop recipients from giving away the physical objects (medal, certificate) associated with the prize. The prize, however, is intangible and non-transferrable.
January 16, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Indeed, but they can't stop recipients from giving away the physical objects (medal, certificate) associated with the prize. The prize, however, is intangible and non-transferrable.
No, "bitte" was definitely part of it. Not that people had any choice in the matter. Even the nazis adhered to quaint notions of politeness. But only so long as you cooperated fully and had your papieren in ordnung, of course. And weren't Jewish, but that goes without saying.
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
No, "bitte" was definitely part of it. Not that people had any choice in the matter. Even the nazis adhered to quaint notions of politeness. But only so long as you cooperated fully and had your papieren in ordnung, of course. And weren't Jewish, but that goes without saying.
Good points all. What does irritate me no end, though, is links to a paywalled site without mentioning the paywall. Just write (paywall) after the link, please! Then I can decide if I am still interested enough to deal with the pain.
January 14, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Good points all. What does irritate me no end, though, is links to a paywalled site without mentioning the paywall. Just write (paywall) after the link, please! Then I can decide if I am still interested enough to deal with the pain.
Nice. Similar idea, inspired by yours: Forget the cross, just assemble the four remaining rectangles into one 4-x by 3-x rectangle.
January 12, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Nice. Similar idea, inspired by yours: Forget the cross, just assemble the four remaining rectangles into one 4-x by 3-x rectangle.
Sure. I didn't mean that literally.
But thanks for your concern.
But thanks for your concern.
January 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Sure. I didn't mean that literally.
But thanks for your concern.
But thanks for your concern.
Happy I'm not on X. I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to request an image of a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk wearing nothing but Borat style swimwear.
January 7, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Happy I'm not on X. I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to request an image of a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk wearing nothing but Borat style swimwear.
If we cannot be free we can at least be cheap.
– Frank Zappa
(from memory … likely not exact)
– Frank Zappa
(from memory … likely not exact)
January 6, 2026 at 12:26 AM
If we cannot be free we can at least be cheap.
– Frank Zappa
(from memory … likely not exact)
– Frank Zappa
(from memory … likely not exact)
Unfortunately, that other war criminal dictator is Donald's friend.
Or at least, that is what Donald believes.
Or at least, that is what Donald believes.
January 3, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Unfortunately, that other war criminal dictator is Donald's friend.
Or at least, that is what Donald believes.
Or at least, that is what Donald believes.
I haven't paid much attention to what he says, but I had been under the impression that he tries to tie his lies into a coherent whole. Or at least, that he won't contradict himself within a few minutes. But perhaps that is true only in comparison to Trump. 🤔
December 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I haven't paid much attention to what he says, but I had been under the impression that he tries to tie his lies into a coherent whole. Or at least, that he won't contradict himself within a few minutes. But perhaps that is true only in comparison to Trump. 🤔
I'm three chapters in and having a hard time putting it down.
December 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
I'm three chapters in and having a hard time putting it down.
Who? Not related to Brigitte Bardot, is she?
December 30, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Who? Not related to Brigitte Bardot, is she?
Your point being? I answered a simple question. (Besides, we are no longer so poor. In fact, we may be too rich for our own good.)
December 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Your point being? I answered a simple question. (Besides, we are no longer so poor. In fact, we may be too rich for our own good.)
Yes, Norway. I read somewhere we are the only example, but haven't tried to confirm it.
December 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Yes, Norway. I read somewhere we are the only example, but haven't tried to confirm it.
You need AI for a rot13 decode?
Kids these days … 🧐
Kids these days … 🧐
December 24, 2025 at 2:44 PM
You need AI for a rot13 decode?
Kids these days … 🧐
Kids these days … 🧐
I thought it should be DOR.
Department of retribution.
Department of retribution.
December 23, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I thought it should be DOR.
Department of retribution.
Department of retribution.
And easy to understand: If you move some apples from one pile to another, the total is unchanged.
December 23, 2025 at 12:03 PM
And easy to understand: If you move some apples from one pile to another, the total is unchanged.