Sitting in the shower thinking

1. If you are a) materialist and b) believe in evolution, is it reasonable to finesse away the difference between a priori and a posteriori knowledge via the argument that any a priori knowledge must have been ultimately the result of instinctual knowledge selected for by previous generations' experience?

2. Has Star Trek ever featured an episode in which their uinversal translator wotsit goes subtly wrong with hilarious/disastrous consequences?

3. Who (apart from katstevens) did buy all those Pixies tickets?

4. Exactly what level of stupidity is required to take three different tube trains to achieve a net displacement of one stop when the Victoria line is functioning perfectly?

( my own guesses )

How to make the perfect mashed potatoes (no mashing required)

As discovered on Saturday night.

1. Take large non stick pan, half fill with salted water, put on to boil.
2. Peel and chop into 25 mm cubes enough slightly aged King Edwards so that when combined with water they fill pan to brim.
3. Put potatoes in now boiling water.
4. Stir and forget to cover.
5. Go off into living room and talk to friends over high quality whisky.
6. When disturbed by odd sputtering noises, return to kitchen.
7. Discover potatoes have completely disentegrated at precise point of water boiling off to create perfecly smooth mashed potatoes that are now gently fumpfing out steam and potato particles in a lavaesque style.
8. Show pan to friends in state of sheer amazement.
9. Add fat of choice just for the hell of it.
10. Serve to (by now rather awed) friends.