that picture was taken at a time unrelated to the topic of the website it was on(and the only picture unrelated to that webpage; SWIM just added it in to start the page off with a pictureabout distillation.) This rig was set up for distilling water from sulfuric acid followed by distilling the acid, which didn't require a column. and normally SWIM would have a candy thermometer in the top of the distillation rig(albeit still stuck through a #4 rubber stopper), but since acid was being distilled and the thermometer has a metal probe, it was omitted for this instance. the vacuum tubing being used here has held up better for SWIM than the red tubing you refer to. it has a strong metal/nylon webbing in it that prevents it from buckling under vacuum. the clamps were arranged in a downright stupid manner in this instance. normally the clamps are attached at the neck of the distilling flask and the neck of the receiving flask so that you can easily raise and lower the distilling flask out of the oil bath(or raise/lower the receiving flask out of an ice or dry ice bath). Somehow the fastening bolt for one of the clamps became bent and prevented the clamp from tightening up around the neck of the distilling flask, but it would close enough to go around the outside of the condensor. the alcohol somehow convinced SWIM that instead of at least putting the one good joint around the neck of the distilling flask and ghetto rigging the receiving flask up, he would be fine to just clamp both brackets to the condensor and let the vacuum hold it together later on. this worked, although it could have been a mess, and the bolt was replaced later on. as far as the allihn condensor being used, what can he say? SWIM's a cheap son of a bitch; it seemed like it would work well enough, and it has so far. no need to buy extra glass if he can get away without it.
the only thing I will try to defendfor SWIM is him using the pyrex measuring cup for an oil bath. sure, aluminum definitely won't crack under heat, but you cant grab the handle of an aluminum pot that's been on a maxed out heating mantle for a few hours with your bare hands either. this can easily be done with pyrex though since it dissipates heat so well. and SWIM has heated a couple of pyrex measuring cups in this manner repeatedly with no problems, although it might be a major problem if it does mess up. that is why SWIM has switched to using a homemade heating mantle now.
If pacman influenced us, we'd glide around dark rooms eating pills and listen to repetitive music.