Video game economist Ed Castronova (whose back-of-the-envelope math on the GDP of Everquest's Norrath made a huge stir) has received a $240,000 MacArthur grant to fund the creation of a virtual world built on the works of Shakespeare:

"It's a historical Shakespeare play, so that means it's really easy for us to take all the sort of fantasy stuff like knights in shining armor and peasants and woodworkers...and we can just really fit right into 'Richard III' right away."

...

He said one of the more unique elements of "Arden" is that the game will be seeded with Shakespearean texts, many of which will be the most valuable treasure players can find.

"If you collect the 'To be or not be' speech and then take it to a lore master or to a skilled bard, he can then apply the magic to your broad sword or you (could) utilize the magic in a battle situation to give you this massive (advantage)," Castronova explained. "So there (will be) this intensive competition to get the best speeches of Shakespeare in your play book.v

"You've got to know your Shakespeare, but...if you do, collect these texts and you can just playfully kick butt the way wizards do."

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Laura, you have a very good looking young man there. Despite the parti-color hair. Hee.

Not wrong, ChiKat.

And it just keeps getting freakier. Have now seen the document in question. Quotables include "Mr. Congeniality - where's the value?" And "[Charismatic Chairman and Son of Founder] not dealt with!" I'm dying to know what that's about.

Also, cripes. In going to retrieve the (new) fax, I saw another fax pertaining to COO that I have no business seeing. Personal, not business related. That part I wish hadn't happened, and I'll be keeping to myself.

Brenda, seriously?!? I think whoever mentioned the Office AU might be right on the money.

Also, I really don't understand people who give their work fax for personal stuff and then don't hover.

Faxing is so fraught with drama!

Also, I really don't understand people who give their work fax for personal stuff and then don't hover.

Dude, I freak out if I forget to lock my computer when I've left non-work-related browser windows open for a minute while in the bathroom.

It's 50 something degrees outside, and the air conditioning is on in the office.

As always, coming to work was my mistake. I would have been here at 8AM had my battery not died, necessitating calling roadside assistance for a jump, and then sitting at NTB for an hour and a half while they replaced the battery.

Dude, I freak out if I forget to lock my computer when I've left non-work-related browser windows open for a minute while in the bathroom.

Ha. I should probably worry more about that, but eh.

At least I'm not leaving mortgage documents lying around like my former boss.

If you have a problem with Rumsfeld, then you'll have to take it up with God, because that's who's telling Rumsfeld what to do. At least according the chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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A guy who eventually became a senior VP at the large utility company I worked at once made up an org chart with him in it with a fake promotion. He left it in the copy machine. After the buzz went around that he was an up-and-comer, he actually got a promotion. Many people attributed his early success to the fake org chart.

eta: added dangling preposition