In the first week of August I sent in a question to Grammar Girl. Being someone who uses the word "the" in my own title I wanted to know if I needed a double the.

Below is my email to her.

START
My question is "Do I have to use the word 'the' twice"? For instance, if I ask a friend "Have you heard the 'Ghost' soundtrack"?

Now change the name of the soundtrack to a movie that starts with the word "the". Such as The Fast and The Furious.

Have you heard the The Fast and The Furious soundtrack?

It certainly doesn't sound correct when you say it, but logically it makes sense to say it twice.

What's your take on the "The" issue. I just did it again.

Thanks
END

Good question I know. Listen to her answer on her website or in iTunes.

Tags: grammar

In the latest podcast from Bungie, they explore the nuances of artificial intelligence. While out to dinner with my wife last night, I was explaining some of the more interesting comments on the show. I was explaining about the 'if - then" and she said it will never be like humans until they make mistakes. She gave an example of someone walking up to a door and pushing on it, then looking around and pushing on it again, then pushing on the door next to it. When the door has a sticker on it that says "Pull."

This got me thinking, maybe she's right, maybe artificial intelligence will never be human-like until it incorporates artificial ignorance.

AI&I (Artificial Intelligence & Ignorance). I know characters can make several right decisions, but what about wrong decisions. Like running for it when they should have stayed still. What about shooting at their buddies when they come around a corner and get startled? What about forgetting to reload after each battle and running out of ammo in the next battle?

I want to see an enemy run towards me, start shooting and run out of ammo after 2 shots. Then I beat them down while they're reloading.

Tags: Bungie, Halo, Artificial Intelligence

Nelson and Natalie are an awesome team. They're very entertaining and worth your time if you crave Xbox news.

Check them out here http://achievementjunkie.com/ and the forums here http://achievementjunkie.com/forums/

You can also subscribe to their iTunes podcast here.

Look for themacjedi in the forums, I'm there regularly.

Tags: Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade

I found out today that Amanda Congdon is no longer on Rocketboom.



She does a good job of holding her emotions but I think it's obvious she's upset.

And it was only a few weeks ago that she wore my shirt on the show.

Best of luck Amanda, not that you need it.

http://amandaunboomed.blogspot.com/

http://amandacongdon.com/

Tags: Amanda Congdon, Rocketboom

I've been waiting for some time to see myself on Rocketboom, and there I am. Sweet!!!

You can see Amanda Congdon wearing themacjedi.com shirt in the Rocketboom episode about Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia being under attack from lazy college students.

Tags: Amanda Congdon, Rocketboom, themacjedi

I received an email today from Amanda Congdon (host of Rocketboom), not only did she say that I rock but she's going to wear one of my new themacjedi shirts on Rocketboom.

How cool is that? Thanks amanda.

Tags: Amanda Congdon, themacjedi, Rocketboom