The medical prescience of Edgar Allan Poe

Via CultureLab:

The macabre story of Phineas Gage, a US railroad worker who survived when an iron spike penetrated his skull in 1848, is truly stranger than fiction. Gage’s impaled head became the darling of a budding medical profession who flocked to study his strange condition: fully functional, though his personality changed. But little did that profession realise that just such a fiction had already been created by the master of the macabre himself, Edgar Allan Poe.

I can’t say it enough, but I absolutely LOVE how Poe’s mind worked.

Posted on by Tim in News Leave a comment

Save the Poe House

Via Baltimore Post Examiner:

Poe means a lot to Baltimore. He died on these streets in Fells Point after reportedly taking his last drink in The Horse You Came In On where legend says his ghost still roams the place. His tombstone is a stone’s throw away on Greene street. His home at 203 Amity St. is a historical museum that unless someone comes up with $85,000, it will be nevermore.

It’s amazing that we can fund the travesty that is Jersey Shore, but scoff at donating a few bucks to save a piece of history.

Posted on by Tim in News Leave a comment

Disappointment

North Carolina ban on same-sex marriage sparks cheers, jeers

North Carolina voted Tuesday to outlaw same-sex marriage, which was already prohibited in the state. Supporters pushed for the constitutional amendment, arguing that it is needed to ward off future legal challenges.

Apparently, the 14th Amendment (below) means nothing in our country anymore. So much for equality.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Posted on by Tim in News Leave a comment

Searching

Lately, I’ve noticed in the logs that one of the top “hits” to this site is the result of a search of my name. It’s interesting to me because really, outside of friends and family, I can’t figure out why someone would be searching for me, or trying to find information on me. There’s Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ for those that wish to stay in contact with me.

Then, I came across an article a while ago which states that employers are starting to use Google (and other search engines) to find out more about you before they interview or even hire you. That’s fine, but I haven’t applied for a job in over 2 years now. Not saying that’s not the reason, but I don’t see that as the main reason. Another article though said that creditors and debt collectors are using social networks as well, hoping to get in contact with you by any means possible. Again, highly unlikely, but still probable.

I don’t add people I don’t know and trust anyway, and so it’s not too much of a concern. Honestly, I find it interesting more than anything. It can’t be too important because I haven’t been contacted by anyone that I don’t know.

Posted on by Tim in Personal Leave a comment

iPoe – The Interactive and Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe Collection Update

Last night, iPoe – The Interactive and Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe Collection by Play Creatividad (review here) was updated to version 1.2. The only release note for this update is the fact that it’s now a universal app for iOS devices, meaning you can now enjoy the app on your iPhone and iPod touch, along with the iPad.

Below are some screenshots taken from my iPhone this morning. As you can see, the app has a very clever way of using portrait/landscape mode.

Get it for just $3.99 and experience some of Edgar Allan Poe’s stories in a brand-new way.

iPoe – The Interactive and Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe Collection – Play Creatividad

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.

Posted on by Tim in News 1 Comment