not the motorcycle diaries

Conferences are, among many other adjectives, inspiring. As a result of the one I have been at today, I have a new favourite Figure from Women’s History. And if I am ever afflicted by patent-mad intellectual property paranoia I will take a leaf out of Albrecht Durer’s book and say:

“Hold! You crafty ones, strangers to work, and pilferers of other men’s brains. Think not rashly to lay your thievish hands upon my works. Beware! Know you not that I have a grant from the most glorious Emperor Maximillian, that not one throughout the imperial dominion shall be allowed to print or sell fictitious imitations of these engravings? Listen! And bear in mind that if you do so, through spite or through covetousness, not only will your goods be confiscated, but your bodies also placed in mortal danger.” (1511)

And the Portuguese word of the day? why it’s “mofo” (pl. mofos) meaning mold, mildew, mustiness.