Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30th August, 2019.

30th August, 2019.

Isn’t it amazing what happens … when you mention Boris?

Frankly?

You’ll get someone — I owe regular, Olga a thank you, there — mentioning Hugh Grant.

It seems he’s offended by the Johnson administration’s decision to prorogue Parliament, as well.

You will not fuck with my children’s future. You will not destroy the freedoms my grandfather fought two world wars to defend. Fuck off you over-promoted rubber bath toy. Britain is revolted by you and you little gang of masturbatory prefects. https://t.co/Oc0xwLI6dI

— Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) August 28, 2019

Good going, Hugh.

~≈§≈~

Oh, JUST as a side issue … ?

It seems Alibaba CEO, Jack Ma, and Tesla head, Elon Musk, were at a conference, yesterday: having a debate about the benefits and perils of artificial intelligence.

Personally?   I’m aware AI’s introduction will have an negative impact: but generally think it’s going to be a long term benefit.

I’m just surprised that noted science fiction fan, Elon Musk, is noticeable anti-AI: as he’s named a couple of his ship landing platforms after AI characters in the Iain M. Banks novels.

And probably familiar with these words …

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

Granted we’re still learning to build AI: and Mr Musk seems to have not realised we’re human … and like adding built in safety features …

I hope Mr Musk realises that …

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Badwolf*, and Debbi† putting in their answers: with Anne scoring ten out of ten and Debbi on nine.

The day also saw the returning Olga‡ looking in to say hello!

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) 30th August is the International Day of the Disappeared.   If you’ve been disappeared, you’ve been secretly imprisoned by whom: the government, criminal gangs or aliens invaders?

Q2) HMS Pandora sank on 30th August, 1791: after hitting what, the day before?

Q3) 30th August, 1919, saw the birth of Ellen Muriel Deason: better known as which country singer?

Q4) 30th August, 1835, saw the founding of the Australian city of Melbourne.   The city’s in which Australian state?

Q5) Finally … ?   Samuel Whitbread was born on 30th August, 1720.   The MP was also famous as what?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) Coins were minted — for the first time — in Japan, on 29th August, 708.   They were made from which metal?

A1) Copper.

Q2) The coins — called Wadōkaichin — had a hole in the middle.   What shape was that hole?

A2) Square.

Q3) The model for this coin was the Kāiyuán tōngbǎo.   The Kāiyuán tōngbǎo was from which Asian nation?

A3) China.

Q4) Coins with this hole were supposed to be carried on a length of what?

A4) String.

Q5) What’s the modern day currency of Japan?

A5) The Yen.

Q6) What’s the modern currency’s predecessor?

A6) The Mon.

Q7) What’s the smallest, current, denomination of Japanese coin?

A7) The ¥1.

Q8) What’s the largest?

A8) In regular use, the ¥500: but there’s also a circulating ¥1000 coin.

Q9) Is Japanese currency a reserve currency?

A9) Yes.

Q10) Finally … ?   What’s the symbol for Japan’s modern currency?

A10) ¥.   (The That’s the international one: the Japanese Kanji character is 元.)

Here’s a thought …

“You knew the audience felt a little bit daring listening to you.”

John Peel, 30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        I’d not worry too much Anne: ten out of ten, today, up against Debbi on nine!   Hmmm … I’ll try and DM you links to the Horror films I’ve written about.   But if you hit the Horror, or Horror Films tags at the bottom of the desktop version of Nik Nak’a Old Peculiar, you’ll find quite a few.   And, my LORD, I was right: that landlord of yours is a money grabbing twerp.   Here’s hoping you can bag some halfway decent social housing: they tend to be better at repairs!   (The video is how to lookup tags on here.)

†        You and me both, Debbi, you and me both!   It has to be said, I think I’ve learnt a new trick … let me know what you think about the intro video … !   Oh … I’ve started on The Cooler!   Markstein certainly does snappy prose!

‡        Welcome back, either way, Olga: and thanking you for the Hugh Grant info!   And, yes: he got the prefects bit right!   Good luck with the live shows: knock ’em dead!