[links] Link salad beholds the Underminer
Ruling: Jesus doesn't heal cancer - Also, this just in: Water is wet. Not offensive so much as offensively stupid, and life-threateningly dangerous to ailing people foolish or desperate enough to place their hope in this. Spiritual seeking can be an important part of healing, but confusing it with actual medical intervention is tragic. As I've said time and again, just because you believe it doesn't mean it's true.
Are sugar substitutes worse than the real thing?
Ancient fleas plagued ancient dinosaurs - And modern fleas plague modern dinosaurs! Or something.
New Device Automatically Slices and Scans Brains, Then Puts Them Into A Google Map - The latest in zombie chic? (Via danjite.)
Draisine, ca. 1818 - A forerunner of the modern bicycle. (Via my brother.)
Do Kids Care If Their Robot Friend Gets Stuffed Into a Closet? - Headline of the day.
Physicists Crack Fusion Mystery - A new theory might help researchers double the power of fusion reactors.
'Even Jimmy Carter' - In which the usual Republican ignorance of reality is exposed for the Nth time.
Eight “Scathing” Passages From The News Corp. Report - Maybe the UK's Parliament could have a go at Fox News next? There's certainly no accountability whatsoever to be had on this side of the pond.
Conservatives' Deep-Set Fear of Women's Rights - Very interesting piece. To me this gets at the heart of the difference between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives by definition want to foster a narrow, smaller worldview. Liberals by definition want to foster a wider, more diverse worldview. The liberal worldview almost always leaves plenty of room for conservative ideals. Don't want an abortion? Don't have one. Hate and fear homosexuality? Be straight, with my blessing. Want to deny evolution? Party on with the flat Earthers. The conservative worldview very rarely leaves room for liberal ideals, seeking to deny all of society anything conservatives themselves don't agree with. On the basis of sheer, simple fairness, I could never be a conservative.
Stephen King: Tax Me, for F@%&’s Sake! - The iconic writer scolds the superrich (including himself-and Mitt Romney) for not giving back, and warns of a Kingsian apocalyptic scenario if inequality is not addressed in America. (Snurched from Steve Buchheit.)
Richard Grenell hounded from Romney campaign by anti-gay conservatives - Well, at least the GOP is being intellectually consistent for once.
[Michigan] EM referendum off November ballot, opponents vow appeal - Republicans cited the wrong font size on the title of the petitions circulated by Stand Up For Democracy, a coalition of groups that launched the petition campaign, as the reason for not approving the initiative for the ballot. Opponents gathered 203,238 signatures, roughly 40,000 more than needed to get a repeal question on the ballot. Yep, I can see that as a compelling political argument. Ah, the principled consistency of the GOP, who always believe the voice of the people should be heard, except when they disagree with it. (Via corwynofamber.)
?otd: Is nothing beneath you?
5/3/2012
Writing time yesterday: 1.5 hours (3,500 words on Their Currents Turn Awry)
Body movement: 60 minute suburban walk
Hours slept: 7.25 (fitful)
Weight: n/a
Currently reading: The Blade Itself Joe Abercrombie
Are sugar substitutes worse than the real thing?
Ancient fleas plagued ancient dinosaurs - And modern fleas plague modern dinosaurs! Or something.
New Device Automatically Slices and Scans Brains, Then Puts Them Into A Google Map - The latest in zombie chic? (Via danjite.)
Draisine, ca. 1818 - A forerunner of the modern bicycle. (Via my brother.)
Do Kids Care If Their Robot Friend Gets Stuffed Into a Closet? - Headline of the day.
Physicists Crack Fusion Mystery - A new theory might help researchers double the power of fusion reactors.
'Even Jimmy Carter' - In which the usual Republican ignorance of reality is exposed for the Nth time.
Eight “Scathing” Passages From The News Corp. Report - Maybe the UK's Parliament could have a go at Fox News next? There's certainly no accountability whatsoever to be had on this side of the pond.
Conservatives' Deep-Set Fear of Women's Rights - Very interesting piece. To me this gets at the heart of the difference between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives by definition want to foster a narrow, smaller worldview. Liberals by definition want to foster a wider, more diverse worldview. The liberal worldview almost always leaves plenty of room for conservative ideals. Don't want an abortion? Don't have one. Hate and fear homosexuality? Be straight, with my blessing. Want to deny evolution? Party on with the flat Earthers. The conservative worldview very rarely leaves room for liberal ideals, seeking to deny all of society anything conservatives themselves don't agree with. On the basis of sheer, simple fairness, I could never be a conservative.
Stephen King: Tax Me, for F@%&’s Sake! - The iconic writer scolds the superrich (including himself-and Mitt Romney) for not giving back, and warns of a Kingsian apocalyptic scenario if inequality is not addressed in America. (Snurched from Steve Buchheit.)
Richard Grenell hounded from Romney campaign by anti-gay conservatives - Well, at least the GOP is being intellectually consistent for once.
[Michigan] EM referendum off November ballot, opponents vow appeal - Republicans cited the wrong font size on the title of the petitions circulated by Stand Up For Democracy, a coalition of groups that launched the petition campaign, as the reason for not approving the initiative for the ballot. Opponents gathered 203,238 signatures, roughly 40,000 more than needed to get a repeal question on the ballot. Yep, I can see that as a compelling political argument. Ah, the principled consistency of the GOP, who always believe the voice of the people should be heard, except when they disagree with it. (Via corwynofamber.)
?otd: Is nothing beneath you?
5/3/2012
Writing time yesterday: 1.5 hours (3,500 words on Their Currents Turn Awry)
Body movement: 60 minute suburban walk
Hours slept: 7.25 (fitful)
Weight: n/a
Currently reading: The Blade Itself Joe Abercrombie