Science Blog
Some scientist believe there be a virus behind the recent growth in obesity. Certainly, unhealthy eating habits have been a major factor, but they hold that diet habits have not changed enough to explain this fully. The Nobel Prize in Medicine recently went to a physician who discovered that ulcers can be caused by a viral infection. So it isn't so far-fetched to believe that something like this could be caused by virus. Of course, I dread the day when people avoid trying to lose weigh because "they can't help it, it's a virus."
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
The New Inhabitable Greenland
BBC
The icecap that has long hinder Danish colonization of Greenland is melting away. Soon, Denmark will be exert its authority as the 13th largest country in the world. Soon Greenlandic and Danish will raise out of obscurity and join the ranks of other world languages. A vast wealth of unused land like this has not been seen since the American frontier days. Invest now and take advantage of 44,000 km of pristine unspoilt beachfront property.
The icecap that has long hinder Danish colonization of Greenland is melting away. Soon, Denmark will be exert its authority as the 13th largest country in the world. Soon Greenlandic and Danish will raise out of obscurity and join the ranks of other world languages. A vast wealth of unused land like this has not been seen since the American frontier days. Invest now and take advantage of 44,000 km of pristine unspoilt beachfront property.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
US Supports Iranian anti-Gay Initiatvie
Human Rights Watch
For unexplained reasons, the US has supported an UN initiative to block two gay rights groups from receiving consultative status in an NGO council without a hearing. This initiative was proposed by Iran (where homosexuality is a capital crime) and supported by Cameroon, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russian, Senegal, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. If we can't bring ourselves to be a greater supporter of human rights than these nations, we don't have much hope.
For unexplained reasons, the US has supported an UN initiative to block two gay rights groups from receiving consultative status in an NGO council without a hearing. This initiative was proposed by Iran (where homosexuality is a capital crime) and supported by Cameroon, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russian, Senegal, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. If we can't bring ourselves to be a greater supporter of human rights than these nations, we don't have much hope.
Friday, January 27, 2006
World Leader Watch
BBC
Sometimes someone comes to power in some random country, and everyone wonders what will he or she do. This happened in the Ukraine two years, and the answer was a disappointing, not much. Now there is a new leader in Bolivia, Evo Morales, that everyone is wondering about. There were some good articles about him in a recent Economist, unfortunately, none of them are available on the website.
Anyway, his history and campaigning method (he was and supports coca farmers) put him in the same category of Anti-American Leftist as Chavez and Castro. However, he is showing himself to be a more agreeable person than either, with few of the autocratic tendencies, but only time will tell.
Most of Bolivia's trade (legal and illegal) is with Europe, so it's unlikely he will bother with the same Anti-American rhetoric as Bolivia has little to do with the US in the first place.
Sometimes someone comes to power in some random country, and everyone wonders what will he or she do. This happened in the Ukraine two years, and the answer was a disappointing, not much. Now there is a new leader in Bolivia, Evo Morales, that everyone is wondering about. There were some good articles about him in a recent Economist, unfortunately, none of them are available on the website.
Anyway, his history and campaigning method (he was and supports coca farmers) put him in the same category of Anti-American Leftist as Chavez and Castro. However, he is showing himself to be a more agreeable person than either, with few of the autocratic tendencies, but only time will tell.
Most of Bolivia's trade (legal and illegal) is with Europe, so it's unlikely he will bother with the same Anti-American rhetoric as Bolivia has little to do with the US in the first place.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
I'm a Tool!
Poolitics
Maybe it's bad to gamble, I don't know, but I figure I should give it a shot. I liked some of the questions on the site, it's very challenging. They also give you $1.20 for filling out a survey to start you off.
Skype
While I'm advertising one site, I figure I should advertise this one too. I use Skype mostly to make cheap phone calls, but it can also be used as an IM client and to make free phone calls to those that also have Skype. Get Skype and maybe I'll call you more often.
Maybe it's bad to gamble, I don't know, but I figure I should give it a shot. I liked some of the questions on the site, it's very challenging. They also give you $1.20 for filling out a survey to start you off.
Skype
While I'm advertising one site, I figure I should advertise this one too. I use Skype mostly to make cheap phone calls, but it can also be used as an IM client and to make free phone calls to those that also have Skype. Get Skype and maybe I'll call you more often.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
More Radical Change in the Camera Market
BBC
I recently posted about Nikon cutting production of film cameras. Now Konica Minolta has announced that it is cutting camera production, film and digital, all together. They say the market has become too competitive, but I fail to see how this is hurting them as Minoltas are still seen as being among the best-quality cameras. The camera I have is a Minolta and it's great.
I recently posted about Nikon cutting production of film cameras. Now Konica Minolta has announced that it is cutting camera production, film and digital, all together. They say the market has become too competitive, but I fail to see how this is hurting them as Minoltas are still seen as being among the best-quality cameras. The camera I have is a Minolta and it's great.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Good News Day
BBC
In a bizarre form of protest against whaling, an environmentalist group has left a 56 foot fin whale that had beached itself in front of the Japanese Embassy in Germany. No mention of how that got it there.
BBC
William Shatner auctioned off his kidney stones for charity. They went for $25,000.
BBC
A touching story of a snake befriending a hamster. This story will not end well. The snake will eventually get hungry and eat the hamster.
In a bizarre form of protest against whaling, an environmentalist group has left a 56 foot fin whale that had beached itself in front of the Japanese Embassy in Germany. No mention of how that got it there.
BBC
William Shatner auctioned off his kidney stones for charity. They went for $25,000.
BBC
A touching story of a snake befriending a hamster. This story will not end well. The snake will eventually get hungry and eat the hamster.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Dangerous Ideas Galore
Edge
The Edge Foundation asked its members to answer the question, "what is your most dangerous idea?" It got 119 responses, most of which I found very interesting. I haven't read them all yet, but here are direct links to ones that I found to be particularily interesting:
Technology can untie the U.S.
Runaway consumerism explains the Fermi Paradox
Let's all stop beating Basil's car
A political system based on empathy
My own dangerous idea, turning knowledge into energy!
The Edge Foundation asked its members to answer the question, "what is your most dangerous idea?" It got 119 responses, most of which I found very interesting. I haven't read them all yet, but here are direct links to ones that I found to be particularily interesting:
Technology can untie the U.S.
Runaway consumerism explains the Fermi Paradox
Let's all stop beating Basil's car
A political system based on empathy
My own dangerous idea, turning knowledge into energy!
Friday, January 13, 2006
More Wives for Chechen Men
BBC
Because of the ongoing conflict in Chechnya there is a shortage of men. The Prime Minister has suggested that polygamy should be allowed.
Because of the ongoing conflict in Chechnya there is a shortage of men. The Prime Minister has suggested that polygamy should be allowed.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Cameras and Doomsday
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Pirate Politics
The Local
A group of software pirates have decided to form their own political party to abolish intellectual property. They have to get four percent of the vote to get any seats, so they'll have to do pretty well considering that most major parties have a hard time even getting ten.
A group of software pirates have decided to form their own political party to abolish intellectual property. They have to get four percent of the vote to get any seats, so they'll have to do pretty well considering that most major parties have a hard time even getting ten.
Robert in India
Global Cities - Bombay
My friend Robert is currently gallivanting around Mumbai, which I think is Bombay. Anyway, he is one of the contributors to this blog if your interested in learning more about India.
My friend Robert is currently gallivanting around Mumbai, which I think is Bombay. Anyway, he is one of the contributors to this blog if your interested in learning more about India.
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