|
Online Journal
Last Updated:
13 Aug 2000
Weblogs
Abuddhas
Cannabis News
GmtPlus9
Honeyguide
NASA Watch
PCJM
Simcoe
Unknown News
YAWL
Related
Linkwatcher
Weblogs.com
email me!
The Archive
|
Growing threat to rare species
Friday, September 29, 2000
Extinction threat to global species is reaching alarming levels. Will we continue to bury our collective heads in the sand, or will we do someting about it?
Please check out some of the links here.
Shuttle replacement may never fly
Friday, September 29, 2000
Is the X-33 space shuttle replacement prototype nothing more than a billion dollar boondoggle?
Fighting to Save Our View of Heaven
Friday, September 29, 2000
Light pollution is a huge problem for astronomers and for me when my neighbors turn on their five hundred watt backyard spotlights. I'm no better since I have a street light in my front yard. As someone who has been enchanted by an unobstructed view of our own galaxy, this is cause for alarm. Will future generations even be able to see the stars?
The International Dark-Sky Association has lots of information on what you can do to help.
Angst and Awe on the Internet
Friday, September 29, 2000
An old article from the net's Bronze Age:
"The critics of the Internet are mostly skeptical about the value of choice. But choice validates freedom and substantiates individuality. Choice accords with the inexorable genetic diversity of humans. It makes possible individual aspiration and creativity. It is the lowest common denominator offerings of mass-broadcast media that lower humans to the animal level, eclipsing the differences that make us human, cutting off the higher aspirations and inspirations that elevate us beyond our appetites, reducing us to an impressionable crowd, zapping through the channels looking for a splash of blood or flash of nudity or demagogic spiel of hate."
Well, I'm baaaack after a three week absence. I suggest that everyone unplug themselves for a time every now and then; it's a good way to restore one's perspective (may Unknown News forgive my slackness). I've been doing a lot of soul searching about myself and whether or not I'm wasting my time with this weblog. I suspect if each of us spent half of our internet time on improving our local communities, the world would be a much better place. The internet, much like an unobscured view of the midnight sky, makes me feel insignificant, meaningless and deeply lonely. I suppose it is easier for us to hide in our own safe little cyberspheres of influence. Ah, the angst!
I'll get over it. Maybe. I guess I just need a little more time. I'm back at least as a semi-daily, I swear!
Templenet
Friday, September 8, 2000
As you might expect, I prefer the Abodes of Shiva.
Ozone hole largest yet
Friday, September 8, 2000
The ozone hole over the Antarctic just keeps growing and growing and growing. . .
How the FBI Investigated First U.S. Astronaut
Friday, September 8, 2000
Even Alan Shepard, the first American in space couldn't escape covert FBI investgations.
I'm glad to see that APB News is still alive and kicking. They're a quality news outfit and I recommend them highly.
(Link courtesy of NASA Watch)
Congress Gets an Update on Solar Power Satellites
Friday, September 8, 2000
I'm glad to see there is at least some interest in alternative energy sources, but I don't see anyone making any kind of serious commitment to developing said technology. Why should politicians bother when their stuffing their pockets full of oil money and dont take global warming seriously?
"Rohrabacher (Space and Aeronautics Commmittee chairman) said that oil prices are at one of the highest points ever and that they are reaching new heights. Rohrabacher said 'this should be a signal to us to be looking for new sources of energy. In California we are suffering from major electrical shortages at this time. We should not be telling people to drop their standard of living. Instead we should be looking for new, cleaner sources of energy.' Noting his previous stance on environmental issues he said 'I may not believe in global warming but I do want cleaner air.'"
How sweet. Of course, he's missing the point completely. If we're going to rely on nonrenewable energy sources, than there are limits to growth by definition.
(Link courtesy of NASA Watch)
Stop that noise
Friday, September 8, 2000
New sound shielding effective against bass thumping idiots. I find busting up their stereos with a Louisville Slugger to be more cost effective, not to mention fun!
Drug Smugglers Obtain Submarine
Friday, September 8, 2000
One hundred foot Russian submarine under construction in Bogata, Columbia would have been used to smuggle cocaine. D.E.A. is shocked, as usual.
the cry!!!
Thursday, September 7, 2000
"we do repeat the absurd in every single act we make, in every single action we want to print meaning to, in every moment of so called thought, we do"
50,000 New Cell PhoneTowers For America's Wilderness
Thursday, September 7, 2000
There's nothing worse than driving along a scenic highway a seeing one of these metal monstrosites despoiling the lanscape. I think we should start blowing them up. Fight visual terrorism with physical destruction. It would be easy enough to get away with it. Anyone got a recipe for homemade explosives?
In case anyone gets the wrong idea, I'm just kidding. Maybe.
A Real Live 'Dead' Chupacabras in Nicaragua?
Thursday, September 7, 2000
Scientists claim alleged 'goatsucker' remains are just a dog. Locals claim otherwise. If it is just remains it sure seems to be one strange canine:
"Zootechnician Giocconda Chevez, who reached the site to learn more about the discovery, noted that the animal had extremely high nails located above its claws which possibly aided it in attacking its victims, along with the oversized set of fangs. She further notes that its eye-sockets are somewhat large in comparison with its head, making note--as did other visitors to the site--of several protuberances in the upper vertebrae 'shaped like a crocodile's crest'."
Psychotic faces
Thursday, September 7, 2000
If you think someone looks psychotic, then they probably are!
Pisa tower moving to safety
Thursday, September 7, 2000
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been saved from toppling, at least for the next three hundred and fifty years or so.
Check out the official web site for more information on the tower.
Australia finds its lost animals
Thursday, September 7, 2000
Flesh eating kangaroos, tree climbing crocodiles and carniverous ducks were all part of Australia's prehistoric past.
Art in the enemy camp
Wednesday, September 6, 2000
Good piece on artists trying to make a living in bombed out Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Clone Jesus?
Wednesday, September 6, 2000
I'm sure this is another in a long line of internet hoaxes to dupe a gullible news media, but it's a pretty funny one!
I can see the ad campaign now. 'Got Jesus? We do!'
'The Second Coming Project' site is here.
Cramming for kindergarten
Wednesday, September 6, 2000
This is just plain sad. Maybe we should let kids, oh I don't know, have a childhood?!? Sure, it's important for kids to study and learn, but these are three year olds we're talking about here!
Followup: Tiny t-shirt karma. I can't believe that this woman is a psychotherapist! Parents, if you're child doesn't get into the best nursery school it's not the end of the world!
Eminent Advice: End The Drug War
Tuesday, September 5, 2000
"On June 6, 1998, a surprising letter was delivered to Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations. 'We believe,' the letter declared, 'that the global war on drugs is now causing more harm than drug abuse itself.'
The letter was signed by 800 statesmen, politicians, academics and other public figures. Former UN secretary-general Javier Perez de Cuellar signed. So did George Shultz, the former American secretary of state, and Joycelyn Elders, the former American surgeon-general."
If George Shultz, who served under Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan thinks the drug war is a sham, that should be good enough for the most right wing conservative! But, as to be expected, the letter was promptly ignored, due largely to U.S. pressure.
Firestone Feared Word of Mideast Woes-US Lawmaker
Tuesday, September 5, 2000
"Firestone and Ford will be confronted with a potentially embarrassing memo at a Congressional hearing Wednesday that shows them discussing how to handle replacement of tires in the Middle East last year without attracting the attention of U.S. regulators.
Louisiana Republican Rep. Billy Tauzin said on Tuesday he planned to release the document to show both companies had information that might have led to an earlier recall in the United States of tires implicated in at least 88 deaths."
I told you so!
Ford Explorer owners, have fun driving around in your deathtraps. I just hope you don't shed a tire anywhere near me.
Meteorite records early Solar System
Tuesday, September 5, 2000
4.5 billion year old rock could reveal new clues about the origin of the Solar System and life on Earth.
Not that it matters.
Climate Change Has World Skating on Thin Ice
Tuesday, September 5, 2000
Yep, we're boned! Maybe supposed intelligent life's nature is to destroy itself. Something will be left to start over, even if it's just rats, cockroaches and bacterium. You might as well embrace Nihilism because our extinction seems close at hand.
(Original link courtesy of Unknown News)
Sierra Club takes on SUVs
Sunday, September 3, 2000
"Instead of working vehicles, the Sierra Club says, today's SUVs are 'far more likely to haul lattes home from Starbucks than lumber from the yard. Even though Detroit has technology that could make them both cleaner and safer, SUVs and other light trucks are still held to low environmental standards, roll over more than cars and pose greater danger to other vehicles than cars do.'"
Seal slayings pinned on rogue otter
Sunday, September 3, 2000
Serial killer sea otter slaying seals or is just a frame up?
"The evidence against Morgan is circumstantial -- no one has witnessed an actual seal killing. Unlike many rehabitated otters, he does not carry a radio transmitter and is identifiable only by his distinct flipper tag. But researchers report he has been observed assuming a mating position with a seal and then been seen roughing it up. Soon thereafter, Morgan has been spotted floating with the dead seal in his grip or nonchalantly grooming himself alongside its body."
Someone call Johnnie Cochran!
Is Litigation The Best Way To Tame New Technology?
Saturday, September 2, 2000
"'The growing and dangerous intrusion of this new technology,' Jack Valenti said, threatens an entire industry's 'economic vitality and future security.' Mr. Valenti, the president of the Motion Picture Association of America, was testifying before the House Judiciary Committee, and he was ready for a rhetorical rumble. The new technology, he said, 'is to the American film producer and the American public as the Boston Strangler is to the woman alone.' It was 1982, and he was talking about videocassette recorders."
This is exactly the point I've been trying to make about the whole Napster/DeCSS debate all along. The VCR did not destroy the film industry. The recordable cassette tape did not destroy the music industry. Piracy has not destroyed the software industry. Those industries can litigate and legislate all they want to, but it won't change a thing. They must adapt.
I do feel that downloading copyrighted material is stealing, but charging twice as much for a CD as for a cassette is stealing as well!
(Sorry, registration required for this article)
Work by Annalee Newitz
Saturday, September 2, 2000
She's just as annoyed by the 'high tech revolution' as I am.
The Michelangelo of Lego
Saturday, September 2, 2000
Grown man making money on large scale Lego sculptures. Now that's my kind of job! The guy's got a pretty cool homepage too.
Trenchant Warfare!
Saturday, September 2, 2000
Alternative press survival or just a rag about how to get laid in Russia? Interesting nonetheless:
"The memory of those two weeks in Leningrad transformed into epic poetry: the all-night drinking and pot-smoking, the young petty criminals who took us into basement hangouts for more pot-smoking, the beautiful girls in their cheap clothes, sitting quietly ... Russia was the anti-matter that the physicists of my mind had been searching for all those years."
Operational Significant Event Imagery
Friday, September 1, 2000
This NOAA site has lots of beautiful environmental images gathered by remote sensing. It's fascinating that most destructive weather phenomena looks so beautiful when viewed from space.
Baby Boomers Busting Bodies Big Time
Friday, September 1, 2000
I wish I could read the print version of the New York Post. I love their headers! It's never too late to start laughing at the most clueless and self absorbed generation in history:
"Another startling statistic shows that boomers who rode bikes died from head injuries at nearly twice the rate as children on bikes, probably because more kids heeded their parents' advice and wore helmets."
This leads me to believe that children of today are smarter than they'll ever be.
Hey boomers, you've gotten old. Deal with it!
The last computer
Friday, September 1, 2000
Interesting extrapolations on Moore's law and the ultimate future of computing power.
You have twenty seconds to comply
Friday, September 1, 2000
Gun toting Thai robot is a real life 'Robocop':
"For automatic operation, Roboguard is fitted with infrared sensors that allow it to track people as they move. Sooraksa has password-protected the 'fire' command for when the robot is operated over the Internet. 'We think the decision to fire should always be a human decision,' he says. 'Otherwise it could kill people.'"
Somehow, that doesn't comfort me. Remember what happened with that ED-209 droid. . .
Better red than brain-dead
Friday, September 1, 2000
Why Socialism failed in the U.S. and why our so called 'democracy' sucks. I believe that all human political and economic systems are doomed to ultimate failure. Why? It's because we're greedy, we're selfish and we just can't get along with one other. That has driven our evolution for good or ill and I believe it to be a fundamental part of our nature. Most of us want to be Bill Gates and not Mother Theresa.
Global warming threatens a third of world's habitats: report
Friday, September 1, 2000
Earth races towards doom as politicians twiddle their thumbs. What disturbs me the most is our idiotic short sightedness and inability to deal with enviormental problems. This doesn't just affect wild animals. We are part of the natural envoronment as well. What happens when all of our coastal cities are underwater or when our food producing areas turn to desert? Please give these issues some thought while there is still time.
The Book of Beginnings
Friday, September 1, 2000
This is simply some of the most amazing raytraced artwork you'll ever see. It's very much in the surrealist vein. If I'm ever a tenth as good at POV-Ray I'll be very happy indeed.
Here's a good article comparing 3D modeling software.
Note to readers: Archived August entries are here, older archives are here. Most links should still be good.
|
Search
Google
Fast Search
News
BBC News
Moreover
Yahoo News
|
