Voila! An open thread! (Updated)

How does an annoying off-topic comment suitable only for deletion get transformed into a stimulating on-topic conversation starter?  Through the magic of the open thread post.  Whatever is on your mind, from The Prestige to Under Siege, from the Ponzo illusion to jazz-rock fusion, from Paul Bernays to Ricky Gervais, post away and stand back in wonder as your comment not only doesn’t disappear, but may even get a response!

Though probably not from me (too busy, sorry) and definitely not if you’re a troll.  On that latter, perennial topic: Our latest pest is some weirdo who keeps posting odd comments under different names, carrying on conversations with himself while pretending it is other commenters who are guilty of this childish behavior.  As always, please ignore such people.  And as always, please resist any urge to respond to gratuitous abuse or other obnoxiousness in a way that is likely to spiral into an endless and unedifying exchange of insults.  As time and attention permits, I will delete this garbage.  Please remember that you are a guest here.  Act accordingly.

Also, too many people keep posting anonymously, making exchanges confusing.  If you don’t want to post under your own name or through a Google account, fine, but at least choose some one consistent pseudonym to post under so that people don’t have to keep trying to figure out which anonymous commenter said what. 

For anyone who is interested, earlier open threads are archived here.