Mitch's Blog

The US voted against a UN resolution to replace the standard Mercator Projection map of the world.

The new map accurately shows the size of land masses in relation to each other. In the Mercator Projection, designed in the 16th Century, Africa and Greenland are shown as about the same size, but in reality, Africa is 14x larger.

The US explanation for its vote is just plain stupid. I feel 14X stupider after reading it.

164 nations voted in favor of the resolution. The US was the sole “no” vote. We’re the stupidest country in the world now.

This kind of thing makes me angry in the way that greater abuses don’t. It’s just so goddamn petty.

Via jwz.org

2026-09-05

I was out walking the dog when I got in a nice chat with a neighbor. When the chat was done, the woman noted the full poop bag I was carrying, and offered to take it from me and put it in her trash. “No thanks!” I replied, chipperly. “I’m good.”

That was years ago. I still think about it now and then and wonder what kind of message I was sending.

2026-09-05

President Gerald Ford signs into law an extension on the Voting Rights Act, formally banning literacy tests and providing language assistance for minorities. 1975 reddit.com/r/History…_gerald_ford_signs_into_law_an_extension/

Summer in the City. Liverpool, UK 1975 reddit.com/r/TheWayW…_in_the_city_liverpool_uk_1975/

2026-09-06