Return to Sender
Urine Container, by Andrew McVie RE: Death and Transit
__You know what's better than __giant space robots? A heaping helping of structural engineering, that's what. We got a monster-truckload of mail about our story on Hans Reiser, the Linux ace suspected of killing his wife. Sure, some were your standard she's-been-abducted-by-the- Russian-mob-so-contact-an-astrologer missives. But a surprising number gushed about structure — the way author Joshua Davis framed the narrative with lines of Reiser's own code. Thanks for noticing! Also from the I-heart-underpinnings department: love letters to abroad from the transportation policy brigade RSVP'ing to our piece on the lack of high-speed rail in the US. It's better in France, apparently. No, Germany. Uh, hello, Japan much? And check out those Maglev trains! No, tubular rail! Maybe we'll rethink that scrapped feature on new asphalt technologies.
It's a Guy Thing...
"The Rebirth of Optimus Prime" and "Toy Wonder" (issue 15.07) pinpointed the reason why those toys and Transformers have had such an impact on any guy in his thirties — I feel I've waited forever to see the new movie. My wife looks at me like I'm crazy obsessed, but your articles nailed it. Thanks for the good read.
Nicholas Goblirsch
Sewell, New Jersey
...And a Girl Thing
An obsession with the Transformers was not just a boy thing ("The Rebirth of Optimus Prime"). I definitely wasn't the only girl who would play with the toys and watch the show religiously after school. Today there are no fewer than eight original Transformers on display on my bookshelves. For the record, my faves are Sideswipe, Sludge, Snarl, Astrotrain, and Soundwave!
Maia Weinstock
Brooklyn, New York
Bad News Bots
I suffered through Transformers, two and a half hours of shameless shilling for the military compounded by nonstop product whoring and rounded out with a breathlessly vapid script ("The Rebirth of Optimus Prime"). To see that the movie is now past a quarter billion in sales only reinforces my horror at how efficient a propaganda distribution vehicle Hollywood can be. Just pile on the CGI glitter and tweak the product-fetish nostalgia knobs. Yikes. Thank you, Scott Brown, for closing your Transformers piece with honesty on these issues.
Chris Amato
Northampton, Massachusetts
Found in Space
You've probably already been yelled at by the fanboys with regard to your references to Optimus Prime's death ("The Rebirth of Optimus Prime"). He in fact did not die (permanently) in the 1986 movie. He was later found in space and returned during the third season of the show. Megatron, however, never returned after the movie — not as Megatron, anyway; he was rebuilt as Galvatron.
Lije White
Lakeland, florida
All Aboard!
In your article on the lack of high-speed trains in the US, you didn't touch the sacred cow that funds transportation elsewhere (Start, "Going Nowhere Fast," issue 15.07): gas taxes. In Portugal, I was paying the equivalent of $7 per gallon for gas; in the Netherlands, close to that. And public transportation in those countries is great, comfortable, and regular.
That's where your high-speed rail is — new tracks, new trains, low fares, just waiting for you. No bond issues necessary, and everybody has an investment in it.
__Dennis Bathory-Kitsz
Northfield, Vermont __
Road Rage
I disagree with your claims that American freeways are "almost universally awesome" ("Going Nowhere Fast"). Beside the fact that I am not aware of any research about the awesomeness of freeways, to anybody who has driven on a European freeway this claim is nonsense. US freeways are poorly maintained and rarely allow for a smooth, long ride. Yes, the US government did invest in automotive infrastructure, but it stopped short of its commitment to maintain those roads for the safety and comfort of drivers.
__Haim Toeg
Long Beach, California __
The Perfect Crime Story
Though it would be difficult to write an uninteresting piece about the bizarre case of Hans Reiser and his missing wife, you made it even better with your writing ("The Trials of Hans Reiser," issue 15.07). The language was perfect. The pacing and the interweaving stories of the people involved were captivating. The use of the lines of code between the different points of narrative was surprising and very fitting.
__Jon Forbing
Galt, California __
Does Not Compute
Strange that a man skilled in databases ("The Trials of Hans Reiser") cannot connect: - Mother-in-law gone to Russia
- Children gone to Russia
- Money gone to ...
- Wife missing and gone to ...?
Lawrence E. Stoskopf
Salina, Kansas
Lawnmower Man
In "Silent Green" (Play, Test, issue 15.07) you missed the most wired part of the electric mower field: robotic mowers. They're convenient for everyone and crucial if you have a physical limitation. I own two robomowers and have the best lawn in the neighborhood. No exhaust pollution, of course, but there's also no grass-catcher to mess with — the robots mulch everything. I use almost no herbicide, because the robots can mow three times a week if I want; the grass loves to be trimmed, but weeds can't stand it. These mowers are hackable, strong, robust, handle hilly and lumpy terrain, and are supported by smart user groups.
Richard Gard
New Haven, Connecticut
Number Theory
Check out the spine of the 15.07 issue. Upside down, it reads "LO.ST" where the font makes the 1 in 15.07 look like a T. Funny that one of your cover items was Google Maps. Coincidence? I think not!
Milton Lau
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Range Rover
Nowhere in your review of walkie-talkies (Play, Test, 15.07) did you mention that higher-powered walkie-talkies require a license to use. If you want real range from a GMRS talkie, forget about all those toys you tested and buy an Icom F21GM. But get a license first.
Mike Cornwall
O'Fallon, Illinois
Snack Attack
In the game Fatworld! (Play, Games, issue 15.07) participants play the role of restaurant magnates, enjoying along with their customers "food allergies, diabetes, heart disease, and death." I'll wait for the Wii version, where I can race my wife to see who can scoop up the most dip with virtual tortilla chips.
Tom Barlow
Excerpted from Bloggingstocks.com
