The dimensions of various things, from the Japanese Badger to Mr Auric Goldfinger. || Soyuz “Globus” mechanical navigation computer. (h/t, Elephants Gerald) || Today’s word is self-perception. || At last, a database of silhouettes. || Snack dispute of note. (h/t, Elephants Gerald) || Best not to, really. || Being all-woman, he wants to share his breasts with you. || Bagged one. || Blue Monday do-over. || Incoming. || Incoming 2. (h/t, Julia) || For when you’re cooking penguin eggs. || Routine irony #37. || News from Wales. || “You’ll wonder how you lived without it!” || Ditto this. || The hat was slowing him down. || Yes, do take notes, because it will be on the test. || “The length and rigidity of the arm is adjustable.” || An amphibious feat. || And finally, it’s the biggest one of those I’ve ever seen.

Should you be tempted, you can follow me on Twitter.

“This is not okay,” says she.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Variation on a theme.

What’s striking in both cases, and doubtless in countless others, is the almost farcical air of entitlement. The ludicrous harrumphing. Sort of, “How dare you physically stop me from stealing your property!”

Also, open thread. Share ye links and bicker.

Via Mr Muldoon in the comments, a shocking revelation:

Not so much overlooked, I think, as warning signs heeded.

As we’ve seen many times, pretending to be a they does rather send a message regarding neuroticism, pretentiousness, captiousness, and the likelihood of disruption. If job applicants in effect announce that they expect anyone nearby to indulge their tedious psychodrama and pretend along with them, this will not always be met with enthusiasm. Demanding that others lie – and ignore or contradict the evidence right in front of them, daily – is, in short, rude. An act of hostility.

Contrary to Ashton Jackson, the author of the article quoted above, and contrary to Ryan McGonagill, the author of the report cited in said article, it’s not a matter of “how much work there is to do around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace.” And I very much doubt it’s about pronoun-stipulators finding themselves disqualified for “being authentic.” It’s more a matter of whether employers would be wise to hire, and trust, people who signal their narcissism, their unrealism, and their inclination to manipulate others.

And employers would do well to remember that The Pronoun Game, so much in fashion, is very often an attempt to bully others, to exert power, by making them say things, publicly and repeatedly, that they don’t for a minute believe to be true.

Only the carpet was hurt. || The thrill of modern romance. || How to use your arms. || Hair crisis of note. || It’s called My Neighbour’s Car Alarm. || Dinosaur migration. || When you fancy a relaxing stroll. || Cooking utensil of note. || Playdough surgery, an educational series. || When teeth explode. || Sleep well, dear reader. || A pixelated journey to the centre of the Earth. || “Simulates the texture, elasticity and feel of a real nipple.” || Why aren’t you keeping track of my tedious pretensions? || Playing dress-up, the modern way. || Babysitting scenes. || A basis for deportation. || The body snatcher of Los Alamos, a Twentieth Century horror story. (h/t, Elephants Gerald) || Airbag jeans, $499. || And finally, and because you’re all thinking it, does it throb?

Should you feel the urge, you can follow me on Twitter. And yes, of course, feel free to use the tip jar on the right.

For newcomers and the nostalgic, some items from the archives:

His Skin Just Won’t Come Off.

Academic of pallor denounces “whiteness,” flaps his scented handkerchief.

Crumbs Made Her Unhappy.

Atlantic senior editor Honor Jones dislikes crumbs. And so, she got divorced.

Daddy’s Baggage.

Two-year-old boy likes footballs and tractors. Progressive father twitches.

Come, let us peek at progressive academia:

Lower those eyebrows, you cynical bigots.

Stop it at once.

See, multiple art degrees. And moon sessions. And – and – “intuitive energy work.” Why, she’s the fourth emergency service.

Ms Schenandoah, it turns out, is a Faithkeeper of the Wolf Clan, and skilled in ways of healing “negative energy,” with tuning forks and smudging – that’s burning tobacco and sage, obviously:

Apparently, it’s also a tool for enhancing self-awareness.

Though such bleeding-edge healthcare works best in conjunction with other indigenous technologies:

It’s called health-conscious cooking, darling. || Modern dating. And yes, she’s a Guardian contributor. || You know, I’m no expert but I’m not sure it’s meant to do that. || Same deal here. || Today’s word is suddenly. || Classroom scenes. Well, at least it’s keeping the kids quiet. || Incoming. || Look, I’ll tell you when to stop. || “Is mine normal?” she asked. (NSFW) || Neighbourhood of note. || Signalling detected. || Moral conundrum: gum or matches? || More joys of public transport. || It will tock again. || Waiting room scenes. (h/t, Julia) || She was wearing strange clothing and carrying a box. || Zoomable tree of life. || As a lair, this baby has potential. (h/t, Things) || I’m not familiar with the kind of thing I’m seeing. || And finally, not quite a force-field, but I suppose it’s a start.

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Well, this is awkward:

Update, via the comments:

Readers are invited to ponder the thought process here. I mean, when you’re an attention-seeking public figure, an activist and a supposedly “genderfluid” being, and the deputy assistant secretary of the Department of Energy’s Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition, and you keep nicking random women’s luggage and then wearing their clothes in public…

Did Mr Brinton assume no-one would notice? Or was noticing his transgression precisely the point? Or was he so lost in his transvestite kleptomania, his narcissistic fantasy, that there simply wasn’t room for any thoughts about real-world consequences? Answers on a postcard, please.

Consider this an open thread. Share ye links and bicker.

Ashlynn Warta on “diversity” versus competence:

Somewhat related, the third item here:

There is a category tag – Problematic Competence – via which you can find many similar items.

Also related, Heather Mac Donald on the stupefying effects of “disparate impact” ideology:

Via the ladies at Reduxx, a tale that begins as farce, but soon veers elsewhere.

Imagine, if you will, a 53-year-old Scottish butcher and advocate for “transgender issues,” a man famed locally, both for his “shockingly bad” customer service and his cross-dressing proclivities, and also for thieving ladies’ undergarments, resulting in the nickname “knicker pincher.” Yes, I know. It does rather have the makings of a 1970s comedy sketch:

Again, all rather farcical.

However, Mr Miller has since been apprehended by the police following the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl: