Well, at least it's not a (*^#%@%)( steampunk disney-themed bookshelf bathtub.

It's not that difficult, you just shoot a lot of long exposures during a lightning storm, it's even easier considering that's probably the most likely place for a strike. Cool shot.

I shot some pretty nice looking cloud to cloud lightning a while ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwiggins/472227604/

Fall of Rome.

Sorry, Daring Fireball is a great site and Gruber is a thoughtful and even tempered writer. There's been plenty of criticism of Apple on there as well, in addition to calling out people for their "Apple is shitting in my mouth and calling it a Sundae" Hyperbole.