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I'm Befuddled

There are a lot of things that I just don't understand (often, I understand, but I just don't understand. Understand?).

Here's a short list of some of the inexplicable:

• Microsoft's Origami: (link) Too big to replace the Palm Pilot or smart phone; too underpowered to compete with a laptop or traditional tablet computer (whatever the hell that is). With no (current) battery life to speak of and weighing a couple of pounds, I just don't get it. What is the market for this? What is Origami spoze to compete with/replace create a new niche in/for? I'm clueless (yes, a first....)


• Amazon considers DVD download service: (link) Long rumored, not a surprise yet not yet a reality. OK, this a NYT (New York Times) story. The big hole - once Amazon gets past those pesky DRM issues - in the story is download time. Are they going to charge $10 (for example) for a heavily compressed (and thus - after decompression - a poorer picture) movie, or will they give a true download? In either case, what's the download time? In HOURS, yes? You'd think the so-called journalists at the NYT would mention this wrinkle.


• 1,000-calorie sandwich: (link) OK, promotion to get publicity (just worked here!) and draw some fans (or fat folks) in. But why is the American way of dining quickly turning into Supersize Me?


• Iraq: (link; see graphic) According to a recent AP poll, only 48% of Americans polled believe a stable, democratic government will be established in Iraq. OK. However, 77% believe it's likely that a civil war will break out in Iraq. So most believe civil war will happen, yet half still believe democracy will prevail. Does anyone really believe that a civil war in Iraq - which will certainly be a secular war - will result in democracy?

All I can say is what has already been said:

I have a slogan. Life, who needs it? I just don't understand it; I don't get it. I feel I don't get along with this world. So many things seem ridiculous to me all the time.

  --Don Piraro, creator of the comic strip Bizarro