PZ Myers -- looming, hulking titan of the science blogosphere -- turns an even half-century old tomorrow. Bloggers of all stripes are coming out to celebrate, with links being collected by John McKay, GrrlScientist, and Coturnix. (I'm not sure what's the big deal about 50. The number only looks special because it's the number of fingers on one hand times the number of fingers on both hands. A less parochially antropocentric anniversary would be 64, which is the square of the number of arms on a cephalopod. But I'm not in charge.) I would like to give PZ a nice birthday present, as he played an important role in my life as a blogger: he gave me my first link ever. I could write him a poem, like Richard Dawkins did, but trust me you don't want that. So I had the great idea of sharing my favorite cephalopod-related video -- this clip of a guy eating live octopus tentacles. But then I thought about where I had actually seen this first -- and, yes, it was on Pharyngula. Damn you, PZ! Still, if you're in the LA area and are jonesing for some live tentacles, we'll hook you up. So finally I decided to give PZ something he'd really appreciate -- his astrological chart.
The "interpretation" goes on and on about the implications that Pluto is in 28 degrees Leo, etc. (I guess they still think it's a planet.) But here's the punchline:
Rising Sign is in 03 Degrees Aries You are a free spirit and you must be first at everything you do. Very energetic, self-assertive and active, things must be done your way. Even though you may feel calm and serene on the inside, you certainly do not act that way. You want to do everything full-tilt, 100 miles per hour! A great competitor, but a poor cooperator -- you must learn how to lose more gracefully. Very self-confident, ambitious and passionate, you radiate positive energy. You are blunt and direct, but at times unfeeling and tactless, especially if anyone offers you any resistance. You fight for your beliefs, but your tendency to act first and think later often causes you much grief.
Man, I don't know. Seems pretty darn accurate to me. I might become a believer, despite my principled misgivings. Happy Birthday, PZ!
