Campus Buildings Designed to Thwart Rioters

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/10/18/campus_brutalism_were_the_buildings_designed_to_thwart_student_riots.html

Slate | 18 October 2013

Were Brutalist Buildings on College Campuses Really Designed to Thwart Student Riots?

By J. Bryan Lowder

[…] Assuming that your campus did have a Brutalist building, you’ve probably been told a lie about it that goes something like, “Hideous, right? The administration chose that design because it was good at preventing student riots and occupations.” The notion, apparently, is that the style’s typically complex floor plans, dazzling edifices, and oddly placed entrances would discourage those kinds of activities. I’ve heard versions of this tall tale used to explain both the International Affairs Building at my alma mater, Columbia, as well as the North Academic Center at City College, looming as it does a few blocks from my home in Harlem. Colleagues have heard similar apologies in reference to structures at schools all over the place. For years, we’ve all passively accepted this story; however, a little research shows that it is exactly that—a myth. […]

Burglars Mark Area with Cable Ties

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Saffron-Walden/Mysterious-cable-ties-and-door-to-door-sellers-worry-Newport-residents-after-two-burglaries-20131016163702.htm

Saffron Walden Weekly News [Essex, UK]

16 October 2013

Mysterious cable ties and door-to-door sellers worry Newport residents after two burglaries

Written by ELEANOR BUSBY

A rise in cable tie ‘markers’ and door-to-door sellers have been worrying Newport residents after two burglaries took place in the village last week. […]

On a closed Facebook group for local petowners just days before the first burglary, a member sent a message out saying that white tape had been found on lampposts on Frambury Lane and asked people to remove any they saw.

The member wrote that she believed it was “gangs going around stealing dogs for fighting.”

The post led to a wide discussion about mysterious activity that had been taking place in the village, including strangers asking questions about property and pets.

Some residents said on the group that they had been approached by Irish men asking strange questions.

A number of cable ties and tape were found around the area on trees, posts and gates, according to the Facebook group users who said they began removing the markers and calling the police about their concerns. […]

Snubbed Celebrity: Bill Gates

In the 2010 Swedish crime thriller Easy Money (original title: Snabba Cash), there is a scene in the film that shows some business school students relaxing in a bar. One of the young men relates the following anecdote (which I’ve taken from the English subtitles):

“This investment guy has an unusual fetish – bridge – but he’s too busy for the world championships in Cannes. And this pencil-pusher at work, a real plodder named Lasse, the type who calls champagne ‘snob water’…They start talking, and it turns out that Lasse loves bridge, so he sends Lasse to Cannes to play bridge. So boring old Lasse’s in Cannes and he needs to take a leak. And who does he meet in the can but Bill fucking Gates!”

“A true story!” interjects another student.

“Gates is pissing right next to him. He can’t pass up this opportunity. So he goes, ‘Hello, Bill. I’m Lasse. Can you come up to my table?’ Ten minutes later, and guess who shows up? Bill Gates. He goes, ‘Hello, Lasse.’ Lasse studies his hand, looks up at Bill, and says, “Fuck off, Bill!’”