Pratt was generally ill at ease with modern technology, and even after his motor accident at Oxford he remained a demon car driver, terrifying passengers with his speed and overtaking technique, which he often employed on blind bends at speeds of more than 70mph.

Several years ago, in Italy, he had a miraculous escape when he overturned his car on the main road between Grosseto and Siena.

Pratt managed to escape prosecution by disarming the local police with his charm, wit and smattering of pidgin Italian.

Pratt was equally dangerous with firearms. On one drive he shot a fellow gun in the eye, and invitations to shoot dried up.

OMG, you know who this guy is? It's Toad of Toad Hall!

Interesting:

Exploring the neurobiology of politics, scientists have found that liberals tolerate ambiguity and conflict better than conservatives because of how their brains work.

In a simple experiment reported todayin the journal Nature Neuroscience, scientists at New York University and UCLA show that political orientation is related to differences in how the brain processes information.

Previous psychological studies have found that conservatives tend to be more structured and persistent in their judgments whereas liberals are more open to new experiences. The latest study found those traits are not confined to political situations but also influence everyday decisions.

The results show "there are two cognitive styles -- a liberal style and a conservative style," said UCLA neurologist Dr. Marco Iacoboni, who was not connected to the latest research.

Based on the results, he said, liberals could be expected to more readily accept new social, scientific or religious ideas.

"There is ample data from the history of science showing that social and political liberals indeed do tend to support major revolutions in science," said Sulloway, who has written about the history of science and has studied behavioral differences between conservatives and liberals.

He sounds a little like Lord Peter Wimsey, except I'm sure Lord Peter spoke fluent Italian and was a perfect shot.

I think the decaf coffee I just had wasn't. Getting all jittery...

I don't know enough science, much less about the study to really argue with it, but behavioral science usually strikes me as, well BS. I particularly hate the ones that tell me what I'm naturally supposed to be like as a girl.

Also Peter Wimsey COULD drive. And was actually, you know, intelligent.

See, but Toad even brings the rotund and argumentative along with the reckless and causing (and emerging unscathed from) dreadful occurances.

Incidentally, Tina Brown's new Diana book is supposed to actually be a really interesting look at the fortunes of the British aristocracy over the past thirty or forty years.

Yes, he is very much Mr. Toad.

You know what would be a really great non-profit? The International Internet Association to Keep Shrift From Killing People. Really.

Although I'd miss her rants and inventive threats about assorted idiots.

Incidentally, Tina Brown's new Diana book is supposed to actually be a really interesting look at the fortunes of the British aristocracy over the past thirty or forty years.

That, and a brief look at the appalling state of education for girls of Diana's class that was available in the 1970s, even at boarding schools. Apparently, her school taught her next to nothing, which is why she was a kindergarten aide and not doing anything that required more education.

Oh my god, I can't believe it isn't even noon yet. I guess I could pack up my office. That'll take about five minutes.

Wow. I started poking around my desk and found a task sheet for my current position. It's scheduled up the wazoo, in 15 minute blocks with a Time Completed box and space for initials.

I'm glad they didn't give this to me when I took this job, because I wouldn't have lasted a day being micromanaged like that.