LawLawLaw #54 – Technology, Law, Baseball, Rock ‘n’ Roll.
It used to take me about four hours to draft this LawLawLaw newsletter. With the help of Claude (https://www.anthropic.com/), this edition was drafted in 30 minutes. Then all I had to do was add the “Erik quips” sections make some minor formatting changes.
Here’s what I told Claude:
- The LawLawLaw newsletter uses a well-defined format (https://www.clocktowerlaw.com/category/ink/lawlawlaw-com).
- Input for LawLawLaw is bookmarked in Erik’s feed reader, Feedly (https://feedly.com/i/latest).
- Create a draft of LawLawLaw, based on said well-define format, in HTML format, on the Desktop.
I intentionally used the word “said” as this is a common word used in patent claim drafting. So if you can draft a patent claim, then you should be able to prompt Claude to automate tasks for you. Because AI is good for automating your TODO lists (https://www.giantpeople.com/17860.html).
Technology Stuff
* Why Are Berries Everywhere, In Every Season? Driscoll’s. (2026-07-31)
Erik quips: Now I don’t have to ask whether such-and-so berry is in season!
https://humanprogress.org/why-are-berries-everywhere-in-every-season-driscolls/
* Once Upon A Time In Space (2026-07-27)
https://kottke.org/26/07/once-upon-a-time-in-space
* How To Stop Browser Fingerprinting, The Latest Method For Tracking Your Activity Across The Internet (2026-07-27)
Erik quips: Cool, something else to worry about!
https://lifehacker.com/tech/how-to-stop-browser-fingerprinting
* It’s Our Ethical Duty To Understand Large Numbers (2026-07-23)
Erik quips: It drives me crazy when folks don’t understand the scope of “million” vs. “trillion,” for example. The best way for most Americans to understand the big numbers in the US budget is to remove eight zeros and pretend its a family budget (https://web.archive.org/web/20111001044810/https://reganomics101.wordpress.com/2011/08/14/think-about-it/).
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049381-its-our-ethical-duty-to-u
* Biotech Startup Breeds Blight-Tolerant American Chestnut With Long-Term Viability (2026-07-20)
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/biotech-startup-breeds-blight-tolerant-american-chestnut-without-any-genetic-defects/
* Inside The World’s Deepest And Longest Subsea Road Tunnel (2026-07-10)
https://humanprogress.org/inside-the-worlds-deepest-and-longest-subsea-road-tunnel/
* Stacks: “Run HyperCard Stacks Directly On Your Modern Mac. No Emulator Required!” (2026-07-09)
Erik quips: HyperCard = hypertext before HTML.
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049301-stacks
* The 40 Most Rage-Inducing Problems In Tech (2026-06-16)
Erik quips: I can relate to many of these, but I think this one is my favorite: “When I click the ‘remember this device’ box, maybe, I don’t know, try to remember the device?”
https://kottke.org/26/06/0049149-the-40-most-rage-inducing
* The Invention That Accidentally Made McMansions (2024-12-13)
Erik quips: TL;DR: It’s the gang-nail plate. That plus extraordinarily bad taste by both designers and buyers.
https://kottke.org/24/12/the-invention-that-accidentally-made-mcmansions
Law Stuff
* The Lost Joy Of Music Piracy (2026-07-20)
Erik quips: Reminds me of this article from 2004-04-22, “* Tips On File Sharing From An Unlikely Source – Dell” (https://www.giantpeople.com/406.html).
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049350-the-lost-joy-of-music-pir
* Congress Said No To Stolen Trademarks; The USPTO Said Yes (2026-07-20)
https://ipwatchdog.com/2026/07/20/congress-said-no-to-stolen-trademarks-uspto-said-yes/
* Almost Half Of Americans View SCOTUS As Political (2026-07-20)
Erik quips: Only half?
https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/07/almost-half-of-americans-view-scotus-as-political/
* Who’s Suing Whom In AI? (2026-06-22)
https://informationisbeautiful.net/2026/whos-suing-whom-in-ai/
* Broader Concerns Over AI Emerge In Senate Judiciary Hearing On Chinese IP Theft (2026-04-22)
Erik quips: I should blog about this. In short, there is no such thing as “Chinese IP theft” because most of said “theft” is not illegal in China. Kind of how like US states can choose different minimum ages for getting a driving license. This is how law works: each jurisdiction gets to make its own rules for its jurisdiction.
https://ipwatchdog.com/2026/04/22/senate-judiciary-hearing-on-chinese-ip-theft/
* Why Do The Credits At The End Of Every Movie Say: “Any Similarity To Actual Persons, Living Or Dead…” (2024-11-22)
Erik quips: TL;DR: It’s Rasputin.
https://kottke.org/24/11/0045706-why-do-the-credits-at
Baseball Stuff
Erik quips: The 2026 Red Sox went from out of it to legit contenders. I’ll have more to say in a future edition! Bonus: some FIFA World Cup news.
* Red Sox Tie Franchise Record With 15th Straight Win, Set Table For History In Nightcap (2026-07-22)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/104980/red-sox-tie-franchise-record-with-15th-straight-win-set-table-for-history-in-nightcap
* The 2026 Red Sox Are Starting To Resemble The Legendary 2004 Team (2026-07-22)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-comentary/104931/the-2026-red-sox-are-starting-to-resemble-the-legendary-2004-team
* Red Sox 6, Orioles 5: When It Rains, It Pours (2026-07-21)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/24480922/red-sox-6-orioles-5-when-it-rains-it-pours
* Craig Breslow And The Red Sox Needed A Hot Streak. They Got A Historic One. (2026-07-21)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-comentary/104863/craig-breslow-and-the-red-sox-need-a-hot-streak-they-got-a-historic-one
* Who Are These Guys And What Have They Done With The 2026 Red Sox? (2026-07-20)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-discussion/104821/who-are-these-guys-and-what-have-they-done-with-the-2026-red-sox
* Red Sox Rout Rays For Their First 13-Game Win Streak Since 1948 (2026-07-19)
https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-streak-reaches-13-games
* Red Sox Rout First-Place Rays 6-1, Make It 13 In A Row (2026-07-19)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/104802/red-sox-rout-first-place-rays-6-1-make-it-13-in-a-row
* Red Sox Go Above .500 On Abreu Blast With 7th-Inning Comeback Vs. Rays (2026-07-18)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/104773/red-sox-go-above-500-on-wilyer-abreu-blast-with-7th-inning-comeback-vs-rays
* Red Sox Wagon Keeps Rolling As Win Streak Hits 11 With Doubleheader Victories (2026-07-17)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/104724/red-sox-wagon-keeps-rolling-as-win-streak-hits-11-with-doubleheader-victories
* With 1st 11-Game Win Streak In 10 Years, Sox Claw Their Way Back To .500 (2026-07-17)
https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-win-11th-straight-game-return-to-500-with-victory-over-rays
* The Red Sox 9-Game Winning Streak Doesn’t Make Any Sense… And That’s Why It’s So Beautiful (2026-07-13)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-comentary/104427/the-red-sox-9-game-winning-streak-doesnt-make-any-sense-and-thats-why-its-so-beautiful
* Red Sox Cap Off First-Half Win Streak With Comeback Against Mets (2026-07-12)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/104384/red-sox-cap-off-first-half-win-streak-with-comeback-against-mets
* Red Sox Secure Series Sweep Over White Sox, Extend Season-Best Winning Streak (2026-07-09)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/104190/red-sox-secure-series-sweep-over-white-sox-extend-season-best-winning-streak
* Offside (2026-07-05)
https://xkcd.com/3268/
* Bennett And Offense Cruise To 5-2 Win; Chapman Breaks MLB Strikeout Record (2026-07-04)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/103900/bennett-and-offense-cruise-to-5-2-win-chapman-breaks-mlb-strikeout-record
* Schadenfreude 372 (A Continuing Series) (2026-06-29)
http://joyofsox.blogspot.com/2026/06/schadenfreude-372-continuing-series.html
* Red Sox Walk Off Yankees In Ten Innings To Clinch Series Sweep (2026-06-28)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/103485/red-sox-walk-off-yankees-in-ten-innings-to-clinch-series-sweep
* The Yankees, Hilariously, Fall To The Red Sox For The Third Game In A Row (2026-06-27)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/103433/the-yankees-hilariously-fall-to-the-red-sox-for-the-third-game-in-a-row
* Why Lionel Messi Is A Genius On The Football Pitch (2026-06-18)
https://kottke.org/26/06/0049168-why-lionel-messi-is-a-gen
* The 2004 Red Sox Hereby Welcome The 2026 Knicks To The Iconic Teams Club (2026-06-17)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-analysis/102824/the-2004-red-sox-hereby-welcome-the-2026-knicks-to-the-iconic-teams-club
* Red Sox 8, Orioles 1; Boston Finally Earns Double-Digit Fenway Victory (2026-06-03)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/102051/red-sox-8-orioles-1-boston-finally-earns-double-digit-fenway-victory
* Red Sox 4, Royals 3; Boston Earns Series Sweep In Rare Late-Innings Win (2026-05-20)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/101227/red-sox-4-royals-3-boston-earns-series-sweep-in-rare-late-innings-win
* Red Sox 10, Tigers 3: Framber Valdez Is A Spineless Scoundrel (2026-05-05)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-information/100296/red-sox-10-tigers-3-framber-valdez-is-a-spineless-scoundrel
* Red Sox Name WooSox’ Chad Tracy As Interim Manager (2026-04-26)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red_sox_news/99676/red-sox-name-woosox-chad-tracy-as-interim-manager
* Red Sox 17, Orioles 1: Crochet And Offense Snap Skid (2026-04-25)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/99623/red-sox-17-orioles-1-crochet-and-offense-snap-skid
* Red Sox 8, Tigers 6: Sox Run Away With A Win On Marathon Monday (2026-04-20)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/99255/red-sox-8-tigers-6-sox-run-away-with-a-win-on-marathon-monday
* Red Sox 1, Tigers 0 F/10: Walk-Off Greens Do It Again (2026-04-17)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/99065/red-sox-1-tigers-0-f-10-walk-off-greens-do-it-again
* Red Sox 5, Padres 2: Bats Wake Up In Opening Day Victory (2026-04-03)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/98169/red-sox-5-padres-2-bats-wake-up-in-opening-day-victory
* Anthony Leads Red Sox With 3 Hits, 1 Incredible ABS Challenge (2026-03-26)
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/roman-anthony-wins-abs-challenge-opening-day
* Red Sox 3, Reds 0: Crochet Carves Up Cincinnati In Opening Day Victory (2026-03-26)
https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-scores-standings/97721/red-sox-3-reds-0-garrett-crochet-carves-up-cincinnati-in-opening-day-victory
* Crochet Locks In For 6 Scoreless As Sox Blank Reds To Open ’26 (2026-03-26)
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/garrett-crochet-red-sox-beat-reds-opening-day-2026
* Venezuela Beats US For World Baseball Classic Title (2026-03-18)
https://theweek.com/sports/venezuela-beats-us-world-baseball-classic
* The World Baseball Classic Is Baseball’s Black Box (2026-03-18)
https://www.overthemonster.com/mlb-news/97304/the-world-baseball-classic-is-baseballs-black-box
* The World Baseball Classic Matters, No Matter What You Or Derek Jeter Say About It (2026-03-18)
https://www.overthemonster.com/mlb-news/97300/the-world-baseball-classic-matters-no-matter-what-you-or-derek-jeter-say-about-it
* Abreu Crushes Another Clutch HR As Venezuela Upends USA For 1st Classic Title (2026-03-17)
https://www.mlb.com/redsox/news/venezuela-wins-world-baseball-classic-2026
* The Seven Best Team USA Moments Of The Winter Olympics, Ranked (2026-02-22)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/best-winter-olympics-moments-team-usa-ranked-1236512110/
* USA Win Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Gold For First Time In 46 Years (2026-02-22)
https://www.bbc.com/sport/ice-hockey/articles/cvgv89eq1jjo
* US Clinch Ice Hockey Gold With Overtime Winner (2026-02-19)
https://www.bbc.com/sport/ice-hockey/articles/c07j84jpn55o
* Watching Sports Boosts Well-Being And Improves Your Health, According To ‘Ground-Breaking’ Research (2024-05-05)
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/watching-sports-boosts-well-being-and-improves-your-health-according-to-ground-breaking-research/
Music Stuff
* Early Live Performance By Talking Heads (1976) (2026-06-03)
Erik quips: A very reserved performance. They clearly gained confidence as they gained popularity.
https://kottke.org/26/06/early-live-performance-by-talking-heads-1976
* “Great Covers”: The List (Today) And Spotify Playlist (2026-05-15)
Erik quips: I submitted several covers for this piece, including “Jet Airliner” by Paul Pena (1973) vs. “Jet Airliner” by the Steve Miller Band (1977).
https://douglevin.substack.com/p/great-covers-the-list-today-and-spotify
* Just Dropped: Foo Fighters’ Tiny Desk Concert (2026-05-13)
https://kottke.org/26/05/0048937-foo-fighters-tiny-desk-co
* Africa (Toto) But It Lists Every Country In Africa (2026-03-11)
Erik quips: Very funny, worth listening!
https://kottke.org/26/03/africa-toto-but-it-lists-every
* MTV Rewind (2026-01-07)
https://kottke.org/26/01/mtv-rewind
* I Hate How Good This Is: Radiohead Sings Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (There I Ruined It) (2025-12-10)
https://kottke.org/25/12/0047992-i-hate-how-good-this
Other Stuff
* The Batman Effect (2026-07-27)
Erik quips: TL;DR: People in an experiment acted more altruistically when the caped crusader was present.
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049382-the-batman-effect
* Oh Wow, The Verge Made A 70-Minute Video On How The Clapper Became A Viral Sensation (2026-07-22)
Erik quips: I always wanted to connect The Clapper with The Salad Shooter.
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049377-a-70-minute-video-on-how-
* Unclassifiable Artists (2026-07-22)
“How society often rejects artists whose work doesn’t fit neatly into established categories and frameworks of criticism and commerce.”
https://kottke.org/26/07/unclassifiable-artists
* Elephants May Hear Ground Vibrations Through Their Bones, Helping Them To Communicate Over 6 Miles (2026-07-21)
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049353-elephants-may-hear-ground
* Uncovered, A Site For Judging Books By Their First Pages (2026-07-16)
Erik quips: Without knowing the name of the book.
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049336-uncovered
* A Cold War Bunker Gets A Luxury Makeover As ‘Doomsday’ Condos (2026-07-15)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4d3lpjkggo
* 100000% This: I Hate The Way We Talk Online (2026-07-15)
Erik quips: People are more mean online (or in their cars) than in person. This is why I don’t honk my car horn in my hometown.
https://kottke.org/26/07/0049325-i-hate-the-way-we-talk-on
* Favorite Favorites By And Of Erik J. Heels (2026-07-03)
Erik quips: Most of what I write ends up not being a favorite. But these 306 are favorites.
https://www.giantpeople.com/17850.html
* Holes (2026-06-30)
Erik quips: Are there holes deeper than the Mariana Trench?
https://xkcd.com/3266/
* Why Adventure Matters (2026-06-20)
Erik quips: I encourage my (young adult) children to have adventures while they are. young (as I did). There is no way I would swim in the Arctic Ocean today, but I did in 1988!
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/06/adventure-taking-risks/687653/?utm_source=feed
* Million Dollar Makeover Turns Old Railroad Bridge Into City’s Trendiest Venue With A View (2026-06-25)
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/million-dollar-makeover-turns-of-railroad-bridge-into-kansas-citys-hottest-new-hospitality-venue/
* The New Mister Rogers YouTube Channel (2026-06-08)
https://kottke.org/26/06/the-new-mister-rogers-youtube-channel
* USPS Reissues Popular Mister Rogers Stamps (2026-06-04)
https://kottke.org/26/06/usps-reissues-popular-mister-rogers-stamps
* Inside The Iconic ‘Brady Bunch’ House As It Opens To The Public: “It’s Fantasy Become Real” (2026-05-11)
Erik quips: You know you want to go!
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/photo-inside-brady-bunch-house-redesigned-1236592254/
* Why Erik Heels Turned Down The Opportunity To Be An Astronaut (2026-04-17)
Erik quips: In case you missed it (ICYMI).
https://www.clocktowerlaw.com/6557.html
* Business/Product Advice: Launch It Three Times (2026-02-18)
Erik quips: This is related to the “seven times” rule of marketing, as referenced in LawLawLaw #41 (https://www.giantpeople.com/8147.html).
https://kottke.org/26/02/0048392-businessproduct-advice-la
END (OF STUFF)
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