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Biofuels bad:
Renewables gooder?
Oil is crazy
An article at Slate examines the fact that Brits are generally more up on science and technology than Americans. An interesting point is made in this paragraph:
Did I mention odd sex practices? The Brits can't get enough of them, yet they're wonderfully rational about it. The latest uproar is over first-cousin marriages in some immigrant communities (never mind that Charles Darwin did it, too). In contrast to the pious calls for prohibitive legislation that we'd surely have heard from Congress under similar circumstances, the British press actually looked at the genetics of cousin marriage. And the answer seems to be that education and genetic screening are a better way to go.
So basically,while Americans get their jeebus-themed undies in a moralistic bunch, the British explore the facts of the issue. Interesting concept, that: rational thought applied to a controversial issue.
I've seen a lot of pro-life billboards that claim "Every child is a blessing" and then show a kid with Downs syndrome. Based on comments from religious talking heads, apparently it's a gift from zombie jeebus if you have a retarded baby, but if you have a gay one, well, that's not so special. (I'm not going to privilege the actual religious whackjobs' websites with extra traffic, so you'll have to hunt them out on your own.)
I just noticed that (1) it's been a little over a month since my last post and (2) that post was number 300. I figure I ought to have at least one entry each month, just to keep your attention, right?
I saw part of this "Alter Eco" program on one of the Discovery channels the other day, but couldn't stand the host. Then, yesterday, I ran across this piece in Slate about the latest Discovery channel spin-off, Planet Green. When I first saw ads for the network, I thought, "That seems potentially interesting, but also really pretentious." I think the best line in the Slate article is "I for one want to go out and kill a dolphin." If the author is looking to put together a crew to do so, this is my official request to join. I'll bring the harpoons!
I have so far avoided looking at any of the comments on the article. Mary & I have talked about the fact that everything on the internet apparently needs to be discussed by the unwashed masses, and I've decided it's in my best interest to ignore that discourse whenever possible. If I look, I might be tempted to contribute - and then who's the ass?
