Wow! Who knew that these game publishers would take a page directly from the White House press strategy!

Wired asked one editor why they comply, and the answer was direct and to the point: because his writers were in danger of losing access.

You know, if time travel was available, this is the place I'd go and the time I'd choose. The Century 21 Exhibition in Seattle was probably the purest expression of American optimism we would ever see because it was all about the future and how great the future would be for everyone.

How can it not turn out so? We are launching rockets and men into space; JFK said we're going to the moon before 1970! The future is just around the corner - can't you see it shining from here?

Great post for SAD (Singleness Awareness Day). What Marshall felt in this story was so uncomfortably close to how I feel at times that I almost cried in my cube while I read this at lunch.

Dan Clowes is a genius.

@Gollux

I would not recommend that anyone smoke anything grown in or around Wenatchee. Probably full of apple orchard pesticides and other crap they spray on the fruit crop.

And that's why I moved away from Eastern Washington to Seattle - it's not the pterodactyls that'll getcha; it's the drunk, dirtweed smoking tweekers that'll do you in.

Actually, I should have said Sony/BMG where I wrote "major labels". As all of you smart cookies out there (smarter than me, anyway) already know, 3 of the big labels do distribute DRM-free tracks on a limited basis.

I still think it's too little, too late for them all, though.

We just need to make sure we protect ourselves from a legal standpoint long enough for the major labels to die. It's going to happen sooner than we think.

I just read an article saying that CD sales during the holiday shopping period were down 20% over last year's numbers. The biggest selling CD right now is frickin' Josh Groban, and it's his Xmas album.

One could hope the labels become desperate enough to start selling DRM-free tracks directly to people online if it keeps going like this. Realistically, I expect them to fall on their sword and die before they release anything completely DRM-free.

Yikes - more like Hell Kitty.

@EH

I think Peter North would be a better choice...

So Sue and Johnny commute from the suburbs? That could be an interesting train ride.

"Attention passengers! There will be a slight delay this morning as Galactus has decided to devour Earth, starting with this rail line. We apologize for any inconvenience."

I remember that back-cover comic book ad for Evel Knievel's line of toys vividly. I eventually conned my parents into getting me the Stunt Cycle, Stunt Chopper, and the Sky Cycle. Never was able to get the Scramble Van, though.

Sigh...

@GARYINMIAMI:

I believe it's against the law in most states for a funeral director to prevent you from providing your own casket, other than to stop you from using one that doesn't meet jurisdictional standards. (No popsicle stick and macaroni caskets, right?)

In a previous, younger life I worked as a "counselor" for a local funeral home chain. I know how much of a racket it is and believe me, the Neptune Society and other services like it are the way to go.

Actually, Costco has been providing caskets and urns for a couple of years now.

As to the question of whether a casket is expedited or shipped standard, Costco is marketing to people who are realistic about death and its inevitable occurance.

Standard is for people or families who have a good idea when someone will pass on, and expedited is for sudden, unexpected deaths. Either way, the products they sell are half the price or more from what your local Funeral Director will charge you.