Four Random Things

A Friday Hodgepodge

1. Inspired by the old Chuck Norris Facts meme before he became disenchanted with the actor, a former Google employee created and maintains a collection of "The Jeff Dean Facts," after one of a pair of hotshot programmers there. Here's are a few examples.

• Jeff Dean's PIN is the last 4 digits of pi.
• Jeff Dean once shifted a bit so hard it ended up on another computer.
• Jeff Dean's resume lists the things he hasn't done; it's shorter that way.

As for Chuck Norris, I was disappointed in him for being a major holy roller long before he want off the MAGA deep end, but I never let that keep me from enjoying those jokes.

2. This Arsenal fan is trying hard today to not let a limp second half performance in yesterday's draw against Liverpool harsh his mellow too much. It has been a fine season so far, and seeing Thomas Frank, who coaches their local arch-rivals drinking from an Arsenal cup while coaching during a game was a hilarious bonus.

I was not disappointed with the explosion of creativity this inspired.

3. Key to Arsenal's success so far has been midfielder Declan Rice, the story of his rise "from Chelsea reject to Arsenal's Rolls-Royce" makes good reading, particularly regarding his desire to get constructive criticism of his play:

Declan gave a talk for [West Ham academy coach Terry Westley] last year [to young footballers] and he said: "I look back now and I think having had clean feedback [back then], I can't now accept anything else."

I have heard more than one commentator speculate that he is the heir to Invincibles legend Patrick Vieira. They might not be wrong.

4. Good news continues on the automobile UI front: Volkswagen is bringing buttons back to its cars, including electrics. Even better, a major independent standards body in Europe now endorses buttons on safety grounds:

New Euro NCAP tests due in 2026 will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes-off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.

Here's hoping this momentum proves unstoppable to the point that I no longer dread buying a new car.

-- CAV