Month: October 2002

Fascinating
I heard about this during a discussion at lunch today (it was an aside during a discussion about criminals) and went searching for more information.

The Stanford Prison Experiment: A Simulation Study of the Psychology of Imprisonment is truly fascinating. Take a group of men, split them and make half guards, half prisoners then observe they way they react.

What is even more interesting is how their family and even the scientists conducting the experiment, unwittingly start playing out their role. The parents, when visiting their sons complain about the conditions and hope something will be done about it, the scientists start thinking more like prison governors than social psychologists.

Of course this has triggered off many thoughts about how I would act in a similar situation.
How would you react? What kind of prisoner would you be? What kind of guard?

It’s all her fault
A couple of weeks ago I heard about a new game. An online world type thing, and I thought I’d find out some more. Then, as usual, I forgot about it until Caterina posted this.

So I applied to be an alpha tester, and I have to say that I’m not happy.

Oh yes, the game is wonderful, clever, slightly wacky and askew, intuitive, compelling and all manner of other complementary comments.

It is also highly addictive. The kind of “Oh my god where did the last 2 hours go, I should be working” addictive that is never good for job prospects. I’m hooked already, and this is only the Alpha. I dread to think what I’ll be like when the final version is released, I fear my personal hygiene may suffer (but until they get smell-o-net whaddya you guys care?!)

“The Game Neverending is a web-based massively multiplayer online game of social, political and economic interactions. “

Currie vs Major
I really don’t want to comment on this (especially as I agree wholeheartedly with what Stuart said) but I’m gonna, don’t worry it’s short.

Will all members of the press please STOP giving these has-been politicians column inches! I think I can safely speak for a large portion of the general public when I say that, while the revelation was mildly amusing, and vaguely unsettling, it really doesn’t warrant 3 days worth of coverage.

The things people will do to promote a book.

Bonus luck!
Rabbit, rabbit!