"Brain power is now the critical margin of human survival," sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke told the Review-Journal the other day. Really? Damn; our money was on Viagra. Clarke's exchange with the R-J—whose editorial stands must depress a man who believes so strongly in brain power—was by way of explaining why the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Imagination and Opportunity is likely to be sited at ... wait for it ... UNLV. As for why here instead of, oh, a famously smart university, well, it's not rocket surgery, folks: "(We) were very attracted by the central role that 'imagination' plays in the Las Vegas community," Clarke said. We're not sure whether he means casino design, cocktail-waitress outfits or the city's innovations in the field of strip-club-to-politican economics. We're just happy someone's willing to spend money on brain power in Nevada, since the Legislature isn't inclined to. Let's hope no one shows Clarke our per-pupil school funding or he might find a different fourth-tier university (says U.S. News & World Report) to give his brain money to.
Clarke is on to something, though, despite not having been in Vegas for 30 years; this city is all about imagination and opportunity. For instance, according to a new county lawsuit, the building company AF Construction—tasked with expanding the jail—overbilled the county by $15 million (opportunity!) by faking work schedules and construction delays (imagination!). You can see why it only took $15 million in alleged bad billing for the county to catch on. (Official journalism stuff: AF has declined to respond, according to the R-J.)
Opportunity is certainly a subject Heather Tallchief knows something about. Twelve years ago, the former Las Vegan disappeared in the money-filled armored van she was driving for Loomis Armored. Got away with $2.5 million, which makes her smart in our book. Last week, she turned herself in. The role of imagination in this affair is somewhat murkier: Her lawyers argue that she was under the influence of her evil former boyfriend. "It essentially was tantamount to being brainwashed," the lawyer said. Note to Arthur C. Clarke: So much for the critical margin of human survival. Now, with her brain ... what, unwashed? ... Tallchief is ready to face her punishment. "I truly feel this is the right thing to do," the R-J quoted her as saying. Lady, you'd make a lousy construction executive.
It's been an iffy week, in fact, for the collision of opportunity, imagination, the vagaries of brain power and doing the right thing. Former Sun gossip and now suspended Us Weekly staffer Tim McDarrah allegedly seized the opportunity to solicit sex from what he thought was a 13-year-old girl he met online. (It was an FBI agent. Whoops!) As for what he imagined doing to her, well, that's detailed in summaries of his messages released by the FBI—friends, you don't wanna know.
And that's the week in local brain power. Is it any surprise that none of the 25 MacArthur genius grants awarded this week went to Las Vegas? How soon until Clarke changes his mind?
Let's Do the Math! |
-2 Developer Rhodes sues to reverse rules against developing in Red Rock. Says opponent: "Developers seem to feel that if they keep pressing, they will get what they want."
+2 Water district says influential developer/lobbyist Harvey Whittemore won't get special pipeline deal for swank golf course community.
-1 Desert Springs Hospital sends nurses home for wearing pro-union buttons: "Disruptive to patient care." Hospital wins our cold bedpan award.
-1 When school bond expires in 2008, district will only need 138 more schools.
Final Score
-2
It's Official: The Pulling-Together-in-Moment-of-Crisis Time Is Over |
"We've gotten a number of landlords who've said they're willing to waive certain fees, but there are none willing to take people for no rent. They all want to get paid."
The Vegas Rorschach |
Match the Psychologically Revealing Shape to its Correct Meaning!
A.) The odds of Elmer Sherwin becoming the first two-time Megabucks jackpot winner.
B.) My mood when I heard that, last week, he did.
C.) Red Rock Conservation Area, one month after Jim Rhodes builds homes there.
D.) The dried husk of the state's social safety net if tax-cap initiatives become law—no, wait, it's a lizard.
E.) Uncle Dave.
Answer: Since this is "psychology," there's no "right" answer. Except D. E is close, when Uncle Dave's been drinking.
Scott Dickensheets is a Weekly writer at large. Give him crap (or cake) at
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