last night: A very fine article in Thursday's section deals with the increasing need for electrical power for the doodads that power our virtual life. The reporter recounts a personal incident in the third person about a Harlem diner owner castigating him for using their power--you can tell by the third person that it's the reporter; it's a very New York Times thing.
I once camped out in a hidden seating area of an Amtrak train from Seattle to Eugene to find a power outlet. I was trying to find a restroom, and noticed an entirely empty coach class section downstairs. I moved in and plugged in. At some point, an Amtrak employee noticed me and said, oh, this is for handicapped passengers. I looked around at the empty seats and said, I didn't realize. Do you mind if I stay until the seats are needed or should I just leave? She looked around, too, and said, well, no, I guess it doesn't matter. I was unmolested--except for a strolling Amtrak-sponsored troubadour, I kid you not, for the rest of the trip. [link via TechDirt]