it's the root of a simple equation, x^2 - x - 1 = 0. that is, x^2 - x = 1. this can be solved using the quadratic equation. it can also be expressed as a limit. sure, it's sort of neat that the pattern is easily and intuitively grasped, but there's an underlying theory that makes this connection rather unremarkable.

there's nothing mysterious or divine about this. it's just the root of an equation.

well, if somebody released you from a trap (that you may have been stuck in for days) wouldn't you react by feeling a bond of friendship? running off wouldn't be my first reaction. nor do bobcats get a prey response from humans (thankfully), unlike some of the larger cats (doing this with a tiger or a lion or a jaguar or a cougar probably would have gotten these guys eaten).

so, i think what the bobcat saw was some new friends and wasn't particularly keen about leaving them behind, before the truck scared the fuck out of it (caves aren't supposed to roar. da fuck? i'm getting out of here!). it was roaring, but that's a bobcat being a bobcat. it's a shame they didn't give it a bit more time before scaring it off...

everything has been pointing to a decision by the egyptian ruling class to carry out a cull of it's excess youth population.

marxist historians have been pointing to high unemployment as a function of a "baby boom" as the root cause of the instability. there's probably a great deal of truth to this idea of overpopulation being at the core of this. but, this kind of thing - while cheap and easy - is not a long term solution. humans are a special type of animal in the sense that we can be taught not to overbreed.

unfortunately, this does nothing to reverse the perception of islam as the primary enemy. it's still islam that is at the core of the overbreeding, and it's not likely that you're going to get through this argument without a social revolution.

now, i know that egypt is largely thought of as a mostly secular society, but the recent conflict has demonstrated that this is somewhat of a charade and that, underneath the gloss of official government-endorsed enlightenment, lies much continued backwardsness.

regardless of what perspective is chosen, the problems in the region continually reduce to the role that islam continues to play, culturally. the answer to this problem is not military, and the other religions don't provide for more enlightened thinking. rather, it's dawkins that has the proper perspective - namely that local, secularist groups need to be strongly supported by the west in their aims to modernize society and change a number of cultural norms, such as high breeding rates.

otherwise, these problems will only exacerbate as the climate warms and these culls will be more than a lazy strategy by an ignorant and authoritarian state, but necessary to maintain civilization throughout the rest of the world.

not alarmist. reality.

i still don't think this region is particularly strategic, but i suppose it's a good dry run for poland.

then again, i don't know why i'm expecting smart tactics from the russians. i'll admit i'm impressed with the professionalism of the crimean succession, but bad tactics is precisely the reason they're in this mess.

if they waste too much time and effort slowly breaking up ukraine, they're going to forfeit any opportunity they may have in destabilizing nato nations on their periphery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUYEgMu1ZMY

they ought to be focusing on the missile shield. once surrounded, ukraine would be easy to dismantle.

people's republic of donetsk?