The only radio/TV news source I rely on for balanced coverage is the BBC. I recently learned of the UK TV Licence fees that ultimately fund the BBC.
An interesting issue to say the least. On one hand, the ability to provide fair, balanced and commercial free coverage by having no obligations to advertisers. A strict licencing regime to pay for it on the other. I am sort of glad I don’t have to pick sides on this one. See this wikipedia page about the debate.
The BBC it seems, organized a contest for the best Hitchhikers guide entry about the Earth. In their own words:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy famously described the Earth with a single word: Harmless. After years of research by Ford Prefect the entry was expanded slightly – to Mostly Harmless.
We asked you to write a more comprehensive (but equally witty) description using exactly 264 words*.
…
*In “So Long And Thanks For All The Fish” Douglas revealed that Ford had in fact written a substantial article about Earth for the Guide. Douglas described the entry using 264 words.
This and this were awarded the joint first prize. Excerpts:
You could spend many Earth years sightseeing, which is handy since leaving is difficult. Some must-sees for a short visit are:
Norway and New Zealand. The finest fjords in the Galaxy, with no admission charge.
Deep ocean. Top galactic backpackers’ hangout, but virtually unknown to the locals. The dolphins are friendly, if rather smug.
New York. Ridiculous place. You’ll love it.
Of other literature, “A Brief History of Time” is really very funny indeed, and “Lord of the Rings” is the only other book anyone ever mentions.
Fun stuff.
- Quotation, n: An ordinary line, magically transformed into an insightful, pithy and universal truth, merely by quoting it completely out of context.
- Rahul Agarwal
Here are some better quotations on … err … quotations, from the quotationspage:
- People will accept your ideas much more readily if you tell them Benjamin Franklin said it first.
- David H. Comins
- Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.
- Ambrose Bierce (1842 – 1914), The Devil’s Dictionary
- The point of quotations is that one can use another’s words to be insulting.
- Amanda Cross (1926 – )
