I hate mosquitoes.
What with all that buzzing and itching, the hubbub they cause is disproportionate to the microdrop of blood they make away with. Besides, I am the world’s most formidable mosquito hunter. I have brought to justice every single mosquito that has ever attacked me (except when I spend nights in rooms with patterned wallpaper, which makes mosquito hunting impossible).
A geographers methodology for measuring propensity for evil:
Envy was calculated using the total number of thefts -- robbery, burglary, larceny and stolen cars. Rendered in green, of course, Clark County is emerald.
Wrath was calculated by comparing the total number of violent crimes -- murder, assault and rape -- reported to the FBI per capita. Vought and his colleagues used the color red to illustrate wrath, so Clark County looks like a fresh welt. Washoe is slightly statistically duller. Everywhere else is a friendly pork pink.
Lust was calculated by compiling the number of sexually transmitted diseases -- HIV, AIDS, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea -- reported per capita. Here again, Clark and Washoe counties are worst. Carson City County is a close third.
Gluttony was calculated by counting the number of fast food restaurants per capita, and this is one category where Clark County is bested. First in deep fry goes to Carson City.
Sloth was calculated by comparing expenditures on arts, entertainment and recreation with the rate of employment. Here again Clark County is beat, scoring only average on the scale of sloth.
And pride, lastly, is most important. The root of all sins, in this study, is the aggregate of all data. Vought and his Kansas colleagues combined all data from the six other sins and averaged it into an overview of all evil. So pride, mapped in purple, shows the states two darkest bruises: counties Clark and Carson City.
Thanks to Alistair for this.
Full slideshows of sins and states here
David Levy was in conversation last night with Bill Thompson from the BBC at the ICA. The discussion: Love, Sex + Robots. It was weird but very, very, interesting. I also left feeling that maybe it wasn't an unfeasible proposal either, not least because of what is already occuring in Japan and South Korea in 'Doll Brothels'. No, I'm not joking:
Elegant, feminine, and lively at all times⦠High-quality robot is available at a reasonable price with varieties of costumes to choose from for more opportunities to make better use of it.
No, I haven't ever seen this much 'lively robot'.