AVP 2 -- Movie Rules

Well, I saw some of Alien vs. Predator 2 this weekend. It was truly an awful movie. Of course I knew this even before the god awful ending. You might be wondering how. Well, I'll tell you. This movie violated one of my cardinal rules for determining how good a movie is. I call it the "Go! Go! Go!" Rule.

This rule is simple. Any movie in which a line of dialogue consists entirely of a character shouting "Go! Go! Go!" is generally a bad movie. This movie contained that gem of screenwriting not once but twice. Thus confirming its place in my heart as a BAD movie.

Google Reader Update

Well it turns out that Google Reader does allow you to share more than just your shared items. In Google Reader you have another option to "Star" stories. Starred stories also have their own RSS feed which you can make public.

In addition you can sort your feeds using various tags (folders). You can then share these folders as well. Each shared folder will have its own RSS feed. Sharing folders does not give you the ability to self-select the stories but it is one more way to aggregate a bunch of news feeds together.

To share your starred items or tagged folders just go to Settings in Reader and then to the Tags tab. Beside each folder (including Starred Items) there is a little broadcast/rss icon. Just click on that and then click the View Public Page link that will appear next to the icon. This will bring up the public web page which will then have a link to its RSS feed along the right hand side of the window.

Interview with a Banker

This interview was first published in Punch magazine on April 3, 1957. I first read it in the book "The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin. This book opened my eyes to the way "money" really works. The interview stuck with me as well because it is not only extremely enlightening but is really funny as well.

Here is the interview. The person answering the questions is, of course, a banker:

Q: What are banks for?
A: To make money.

Q: For the customers?
A: For the banks.

Q: Why doesn't bank advertising mention this?
A: It would not be in good taste. But it is mentioned byimplication in references to reserves of $249,000,000 or thereabouts. Thatis the money that they have made.

Q: Out of customers?
A: I suppose so.

Q: They also mention Assets of $500,000,000 or thereabouts. Have they madethat too?
A: Not exactly. That is the money they use to make money.

Q: I see. And they keep it in a safe somewhere?
A: Not at all. They lend it to customers.

Q: Then they haven't got it?
A: No.

Q: Then how is it Assets?
A: They maintain that it would be if they got it back.

Q: But they must have some money in a safe somewhere?
A: Yes, usually $500,000 or thereabouts. This is calledLiabilities.

Q: But if they've got it, how can they be liable for it?
A: Because it isn't theirs.

Q: Then why do they have it?
A: It has been lent to them by customers.

Q: You mean customers lend banks money?
A: In effect. They put money into their accounts, so it is reallylent to the banks.

Q: And what do the banks do with it?
A: Lend it to other customers.

Q: But you said that money they lent to other people was Assets?
A: Yes.

Q: Then Assets and Liabilities must be the same thing?
A: You can't really say that.

Q: But you've just said it. If I put $100.00 into my account the bank isliable to have to pay it back, so it's Liabilities. But they go and lend itto someone else, and he is liable to have to pay it back, so it's Assets.It's the same $100.00, isn't it?
A: Yes, But...

Q: Then it cancels out. It means, doesn't it, that banks haven't really anymoney at all?
A: Theoretically....

Q: Never mind theoretically. And if they haven't any money, where do theyget their Reserves of $249,000,000 or thereabouts?
A: I told you. That is the money they have made.

Q: How?
A: Well, when they lend your $100.00 to someone they charge himinterest.

Q: How much?
A: It depends on the Bank Rate. Say five and a-half per cent.That's their profit.

Q: Why isn't it my profit? Isn't it my money?
A: It's the theory of banking practice that......

Q: When I lend them my $100.00 why don't I charge them interest?
A: You do.

Q: You don't say. How much?
A: It depends on the Bank Rate. Say half a per cent.

Q: Grasping of me, rather?
A: But that's only if you're not going to draw the money out again.

Q: But of course, I'm going to draw it out again. If I hadn't wanted todraw it out again I could have buried it in the garden, couldn't I?
A: They wouldn't like you to draw it out again.

Q: Why not? If I keep it there you say it's a Liability. Wouldn't they beglad if I reduced their Liabilities by removing it?
A: No. Because if you remove it they can't lend it to anyone else.

Q: But if I wanted to remove it they'd have to let me?
A: Certainly.

Q: But suppose they've already lent it to another customer?
A: Then they'll let you have someone else's money.

Q: But suppose he wants his too...and they've let me have it?
A: You're being purposely obtuse.

Q: I think I'm being acute. What if everyone wanted their money at once?
A: It's the theory of banking practice that they never would.

Q: So what banks bank on is not having to meet their commitments?
A: I wouldn't say that.

Q: Naturally. Well, if there's nothing else you think you can tell me...?
A: Quite so. Now you can go off and open a banking account.

Q: Just one last question.
A: Of course.

Q: Wouldn't I do better to go off and open up a bank?