The Multi-faceted Pau Gasol.

None of these things is not like the other.

Snapshot of the Day

Taken on a collegiate campus north of the Mason-Dixon. And you can't really see it, but at the bottom of the whiteboard is something in braille. I'll use context clues to conclude that it's the same request. This individual's preemptive denial game is at an all time high right now. Jehovah's Witnesses, your move.

Argue 吗？

"There was a feller here once by the name of Jim Smiley, ... he was the curiosest man about always betting on any thing that turned up you ever see, if he could get any body to bet on the other side; and if he couldn't, he'd change sides. Any way that suited the other man would suit him any way just so's he got a bet, he was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out winner. He was always ready and laying for a chance; there couldn't be no solittry thing mentioned but that feller'd offer to bet on it, and -take any side you please"        -MARK TWAIN

At times I feel like Jim Smiley, but not when it comes to betting, but arguing.
So, for your reading enjoyment (and self improvement) I have put together a few pointers and tips.

1) LISTEN to the other side of the argument. You can't argue properly if you donn't. You have the same agenda as the other person: to win the argument. Don't get caught up in your agenda, try to break down their argument as well as push your agenda, they go hand in hand. If you catch them doing this (not listening (which is pretty easy once it starts to get heated,)) call them out on it.
"You aren't even listening, you're just waiting for your turn to talk"
It usually catches them so off guard that they lose the argument.

2) Don't stray into arguments about other things. This is a very clever move, and not always intentional. Stay with the argument at hand! If you are arguing about subject A you will lose when you get to argument D. And it's not sudden either, it usually goes like this: arguing about A... then AB gets brought into it... then it's arguing about B and for maybe a second about BA, but then it goes to BC and so forth. Until you can't remember what the argument was about. Don't do it. You will lose.

3) Don't get emotional.
i.e. angry, sad, happy, insulin dependent, annoyed, etc...

4) Find holes in their logic when they get emotional.

5) Discredit their side of the argument.

6) Never call names. Unless they're being a baby about everything.

When you think you're going to lose, tell them:

Only the dark side deals in absolutes!

That's all I have to say about that.

The Coolest

Information FAIL.

Lupe sat down with the legendary Cornel West for an interview, down the street in Grand Rapids last week. How am I not notified of gatherings on this order of magnitude?

Haven't listened to it yet, but I can recommend it simply off the strength of the participants involved.

You can stream or download here.

Favourite Underrated

Hypothetical Action Hero Showdown

Bruce Lee v. Iron Man. But only because somebody made a video. In a close second, I'd have to go with Ozymandias v. Batman. And I'd say Ozymandias over the Knighted One in the end, but only because Bubastis could eat Robin.

[Sidebar:] Silver Surfer > Your favourite superhero.

Lifted from my new favorite blog, Disgrasian.

Definitely in my 'Top 5 Dead or Alive Asian Commentary Blogs'.