Crisps, Phantom Planet, and Germany's Export Model

January 8, 2024 Lehan Edirisinghe

A short mixed day of crisps, Phantom Planet's California, and the appeal of Germany's export-led model for a smarter Sri Lankan growth strategy.

In this screenshot from a YouTube video titled "How Potato Chips Are ACTUALLY Made // Inside a Potato Chip Factory," two individuals are featured in a factory setting. They are standing in front of a wall filled with charts and text related to quality control, indicating they're discussing or overseeing some aspect of chip production. Both are wearing safety vests, hard hats, and hair nets—a common requirement in food production environments for safety and hygiene. One person, on the left, is wearing a yellow hard hat and appears to be engaged in a conversation while holding a potato chip. The individual on the right, wearing a blue cap, is also tasting a chip, suggesting they might be evaluating the product's quality. The mood appears professional and focused. In the foreground, there are open bags of chips and some chips on a table, reinforcing the video's topic about potato chips. The overall lighting is bright and conducive to industrial workspaces.
- Title: "How Potato Chips Are ACTUALLY Made // Inside a Potato Chip Factory"
- Channel / profile: "Science for everyone"
- Site / app: "YouTube"

Loving Crisps

2:00 p.m.

I love crisps

Mark Zuckerberg is pictured in a lecture setting, delivering a talk. The screenshot appears to be from a YouTube video titled "CS50 Lecture by Mark Zuckerberg - 7 December 2005," hosted on the CS50 channel. He is dressed casually, wearing a dark jacket and a striped shirt underneath. The setting is a traditional lecture hall, with a large blackboard behind him and a desk in front. A piece of paper is placed on the desk, and he seems to be engaged in a presentation, possibly discussing technology, as indicated by the subtitle: "of money to get powerful enough technology." The lighting is typical of an indoor environment, casting a warm tone over the scene. A small piece of text on the screen reads "CS50.tv." The lecture appears to focus on themes relevant to technology and education.

Finding Zuck Too Boring to Watch

3:00 p.m. (b)

I can't watch, it's too boring, Zuck

In this video frame, Mark Zuckerberg is giving a lecture as part of the CS50 course on December 7, 2005. He is positioned at the front of a classroom, likely at a university setting, as suggested by the lecture environment. The room features a chalkboard behind him and a desk with papers and possibly a book or electronic device resting on it. Zuckerberg is dressed casually in a dark jacket over a striped shirt, and his posture is relaxed as he looks slightly to his left, suggesting engagement with an audience or looking towards a screen or board. The lighting is bright enough to illuminate him clearly against the darker background of the classroom. Subtitles from the video indicate he is discussing something related to "California," hinting at the context of his speech. The lecture likely covers topics related to technology or business, given Zuckerberg's background and the educational setting.
- Title: "CS50 Lecture by Mark Zuckerberg - 7 December 2005"
- Channel / profile: "CS50.tv"
- Site / app: "YouTube"
- Captions / subtitles: "made while he was still out in California."

Phantom Planet’s “California”

3:00 p.m. (c)

Phantom Planet - California

https://youtu.be/wq-S8CIU7VA

[Verse 1]

We've been on the run

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[Refrain]

California, here we come

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[Verse 2]

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████████████ the 101

[Refrain]

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[Chorus]

California!

Here we come!

[Verse 3]

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[Refrain]

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[Verse 4]

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[Refrain]

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[Chorus]

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[Bridge]

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[Outro]

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Story

A Rorschach Test Joke About Private Habits

3:15 p.m. (b)

The psychiatrist showed Lehan some photos.

The Rorschach inkblot test.

Lehan responded, "" on the previous one.

The shrink relieved, said back, "thank g-d, not into "

"What?" Lehan enquired intrigued.

"Oh nothing. What do you see here?" questioned the shrink.

Lehan, knew instantly, he replied, ""

Story

Publicists, Lasantha and Political Opinions Framed as Fiction

4:00 p.m.

This makes sense

I think I'll be fine, when I get 'round to pestering the Parisian

Or something like that

We have failed because I didn't ask Jonathan to do his job

I tried to ask other publicists to take his job

As they ignored, the guy was able to keep his job

As he knows now, and understands

We go "full r***rd" when speaking to him as a consequence

***

I am unsure about the news

I think I have thoughts about them, like everyone else

I am unsure and don't really remember Lasantha

I think that over 60 journalists died or were killed

I think journalism carries a responsibility

In my case, I claim my views are personal

And fictional

So I can get away with saying anything

I'm a politician, so these are political opinions

I personally don't care about████████████████████████

I don't remember those people

I think Lasantha's brother Lal, is friends with Wasantha

They can expect justice

But we won't be executing or imprisoning people

Unless you prove beyond reasonable doubt

Or have a confession

We don't have any plans to do so

As it undermines our authority

If you can prove, or have eye witnesses or confessions

It's okay, we can bring to full justice

I think it's "possible" Sirisena, Ranil and Gota did 4/21

Especially to critics who rely on compromised testimony

But it's not "100% proven"

Story

Caramel Pudding That Is Easy to Follow

4:15 p.m. (c)

This is easy to follow

I love caramel pudding

Story

Letting the SL Defense Department Deal With Them

5:15 p.m. (b)

Let the S. L. defense department deal with them

I don't f***ing care

I don't want to meet them


███ █████ their chairman is Wahid Nawabi

I don't care

The screenshot captures a New York Times article titled "BASF, an Industrial Pillar in Germany, Leans Abroad," displayed on a browser window. The article delves into the role of executives like Mr. Schwager in Germany's economic system and highlights Germany’s significant export share of about 40% of its GDP. The piece discusses the strategic shift where German companies, instead of exporting products, prefer to manufacture abroad. Mr. Schwager is noted for his plans to invest in the Gulf Coast of the United States, capitalizing on the shale gas boom to produce propylene. Heidi Alderman, BASF’s senior vice president for North America, comments on the petrochemical industry's revival due to shale gas. The article emphasizes the global economic strategies and investments of German firms, highlighting their adaptation to new market dynamics. The web page is seen in a Chrome browser, with typical browser tabs and controls visible, suggesting a dynamic and engaged reading experience.

Germany’s Exports and an Export-Led Education Strategy

6:00 p.m. (c)

Wow, 40 percent of Germany's GDP are exports

Very cool

Yes, we do have an export-led growth strategy as well

The businesses, whom we partner with, will be playing a more central role, in determining the academic curriculum, training systems and modes of verification of intellectual ability

This is because it takes a lot of work

This is a more intelligent system, than to let teachers decide

I think that the owners and managers, plus our own, will be cooperating very closely with the unis here to do so

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We're likely to have equal schools, but the curriculum can be studied and kids can compete aggressively if they choose

Our formula is going to be 50/50, so if they go Singaporean, they can, they can study like Asians, but otherwise, if they go American, and they can prize problem solving, critical thinking or creativity

This is a better approach, where for once, we wouldn't depend on the US for creativity and innovation, like everyone else does

Story

Profanely Loving Trump Twice

2:30 a.m. (d)

I f***ing LOVE TRUMP.

I F***ING LOVE TRUMP.

Hidden

The Trump Train Going to MAGA

2:30 a.m. (f)

Trump Train Goes:

Trump, Trump, Trump, choo chooo!!!!

All aboard!!

Next stop:

MAGA!

Story

Flesh, Blood and Remembering Pauline

3:00 a.m. (b)

I'd give up some flesh, or a rib for Pauline

This is my blood you drink

This is my body you eat

If you would remember me when you eat and drink.

The image is a screenshot from the movie "Rocky" (1976), showing a scene inside a dimly lit bar or pool hall. The setting is characterized by a pool table in the foreground with pool balls scattered on it. Two men are present: one, wearing a beanie and dark clothing, is holding a pool cue and leaning over the table, possibly lining up a shot. He appears focused on the game. The other man is standing near a door in the background; he's dressed in a leather jacket and appears to be engaging in a conversation, as suggested by the subtitle: “Hey, Paulie, what, did you lock the door?”
The lighting is subdued, with a green overhead lamp providing most of the illumination directly above the pool table. There are pool cues stored neatly in the background. A small sign reading "Schmidt's" can be seen on the wall, indicating a brand or advertisement. The atmosphere is intimate and somewhat tense, suggesting a private or important conversation amidst a casual game of pool. The media player interface visible at the top of the image shows it's being played on VLC, with controls and a timeline indicating the video is at 1 hour and 36 minutes into the film.

Rewriting “Country Roads” Around Bowie’s Lady

4:15 a.m.

All my memories gather 'round her

Bowie's lady, journalist to Elle France

Weiss and blondey, painted on the sky

Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

Story

Saying “I Dunno, Maybe”

4:30 a.m.

I dunno, maybe...

1 matched name linked to the Names index.