26 Comments
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Pelorus's avatar

Happy Birthday — in the UK you're now old enough to get a licence to drive a bus, and receive the full minimum wage.

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Pelorus's avatar

And though I was critical about the exact comparison the other day, I recall now that at 21 I made the exact same rhetorical move as your alligators, but with terrorist deaths and slips in the bath — the latter being more deadly despite the UK gov at the time claiming terrorism was an "existential" threat. Keep up the good work, I suppose!

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nelson's avatar

Slips in the bath are one of those things you'd like to nip in the bud if you could but with terrorists you better or out the window goes the whole ball of wax.

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Bruce Adelstein's avatar

I too have been a big fan of misreading signs. I saw one of the freeway that said "Slow Trucks." But when I got in front of the trucks and put on my brakes, the drivers seemed to get upset. : )

And on that note, happy birthday!

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Arturo Macias's avatar

Happy Birthday, Matthew. It is quite impressive how you write at 21, but I began reading you in EA Forum when your were 19, and thinking retrospectively that was almost supernatural.

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Brian Moore's avatar

Wait, you just turned 21? How have you been able to write all this stuff without legal alcohol? I'm legitimately impressed.

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Bentham's Bulldog's avatar

It's legal in the UK.

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Brian Moore's avatar

Wait, you live in the UK? How have you been able to write all this stuff without decent food? I'm still impressed. ;)

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Ben Richardson's avatar

Happy birthday day! I imagined you were some animal-loving old man. Good job on being young instead!

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Dan Williams's avatar

Happy Birthday. It's amazing how impressive and accomplished you are at only 21 - you've got a great life ahead of you.

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Bentham's Bulldog's avatar

Thanks!

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The Lurking Ophelia's avatar

Happy birthday, now you can drink *and* drive in the US! What advice would you give your 18-year old self? Apart from proselytizing to him about the self-indication assumption, of course :D

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Bentham's Bulldog's avatar

Best comment!

I can't think of any specific advice I'd give to my 18-year-old self.

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Eric Banwith's avatar

Congrats on your birthday!!

I really resonate with your 20th point...reading and being familiar with the POVs of those you typically disagree with. I'd love to get some recommendations / suggestions on good "pairings" (i.e., Left vs Right approaches to controversial topics; pro-life vs pro-choice; Dems vs Repubs takes on Social Security, etc.). I think there is a lot of value in reading and engaging with "both sides" of issues.

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Silas Abrahamsen's avatar

Happy birthday! If there's anything more sexy than supporting shrimp welfare, it's reading Bentham's Bulldog

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no brain's avatar

Holy moly, I think you were 18 when I started reading this blog.. time flies. Congrats on the milestone champion

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JD's avatar

Happy birthday! Wishing you all the joy and peace and shrimp.

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Aleksy's avatar

I wish you well. Enjoy you birthday!

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Raphaël Tran's avatar

I've been following for about a year and now I learn you're only 21?!

What am I doing with my life? 😭

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Michael's avatar

Ha, you’re a week younger than me. Very cool

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CB's avatar

Very good list, thanks a lot !

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Reader's avatar

Number 21: 😂😂😂

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