Speaking as someone who has made a few action-figure music videos, I am in favor of this.
(h/t to Atrios)
October 31, 2008
A Dutch artist is thought to be behind the mysterious appearance of a giant Lego man on Brighton beach.
The 6ft-tall (1.8m) red, green and yellow figure has the slogan “No Real Than You Are” painted on the front.
Brighton resident Peter McNiven said he had spotted the figure in the sea while walking to work this week.
A spokeswoman for Lego said the artist responsible, Ego Leonard, would be exhibiting artwork in London in the coming weeks.
A Lego man with the same slogan appeared on a Dutch beach last year.
Plus: Reverse Grafitti or Clean Tagging.
In other news, the Earth is found to be a sphere.
Although they don’t say it, this article supports the ejection theory of planetary and other solar system bodies over the current paradigm.
The analysis showed that surprisingly, during the formation of the solar system, when dust and rubble in a disk around the sun collided and stuck together to form ever-larger rocks and eventually the planets we know today, even objects much smaller than planets — just 160 kilometers across or so — were large enough to melt almost completely.
“Now we’re realizing that many of the things that were forming planets were mini-planets themselves, with crusts and mantles and cores.”
So could they please explain how dust “sticks” together, forming a relative turd sized body, and it becomes molten? Nope, not pressure, too small. Nope, not gravity, too small.
That could change theorists’ picture of how the planets themselves took shape.
You really would think so, wouldn’t ya?
Now if we look at the ejection model, and go off of the assumption that all planets were spit out of the sun, to which smaller bodies and moons were spit out of, this info snuggles in nice and comfortable.
The answer may lie in incorporating what you’re allergic to into your life, not completely avoiding it.
An old roommate of mine was very allergic to cats when we moved in together. After about a month of scratchy/puffy eyes, sneezing, and minor skin irritation, he was completely allergy free. The allergies were the worst at first and slowly diminished until one day he was holding my cat going “huh, this is so weird…”.
I have seen what this article talks about happen first hand. Also, he wasn’t allergic to dogs, and after not being around dogs, he developed canine allergies.
Anyone else have stories?
Loretta Sandoval, a Dixon farmer with Cañoncito Nurseries, has extensive experience in seed and crop research and patenting. She made a presentation about how growers can protect their heirloom and landrace chile seeds by patenting them themselves, but that it takes extensive record keeping. She is from a traditional New Mexican farming family in Corrales.
“I recently worked with a family who had planted all their Chimayó variety seed; 70 percent of the seeds sprouted, and I encouraged them, to save the seeds from these, because those that sprouted were the strongest, best and most viable. You need to keep planting and harvesting seed every year, so you don’t lose the entire supply,” explained Sandoval. “I can help you, if you want, but you need to keep very careful written records.”
“There are sustainable farmingorganizationsthatwill help you ensure you don’t lose the gene pool of your seed, because diseases or unexpected weather extremes can wipe out a particular season’s crop,” said Sandoval.
Those interested in finding out how to patent and protect their own traditional crop lines can contact her at .
As the meeting wound down with participants sharing strategies, Allen Richardson of Sustain Taos spoke about his success with the Ojibway Nation’s struggle to keep wild rice GMO free. “What is it that works in New Mexico?” he said. “If we need to get organized, do petitions and go the Legislature or whoever ourselves to request what it is we need, then I am ready, and if I have to shave and put on a suit and tie to work for what we need, I will.”
I like how Jerry Padilla makes it sound heroic that I offer to shave and wear a tie. From Taos News,page B10.
October 30, 2008
The vaccine viruses are not supposed to make an animal sick or be transmissible. …. Worryingly, Mertens found that escaped vaccine strains in southern Europe have interbred with wild bluetongue virus to create new hybrids, one of which became the dominant local strain. Pirbright scientists fear that releasing these vaccines in new habitats could create the opportunity for new viruses to evolve.
Anyone want to bet this happens more often than commonly supposed? Similar risks inherent in biotechnology.
Something long supposed but not officially accepted. According to the article, this makes them more like sabretooth lions.
October 29, 2008
The phenomenon of synchronized whale singing is expanding science’s understanding of the complexity of whale songs.
I personally suspect that whale song is closer to language than many suppose. The absence of identifiable “words” is not an impediment (and here I am influenced by Wittgenstein). You don’t really need words to convey meaning as long as two individuals are “on the same page.” Context-specific communication can get very specific without using actual words because meaning is context-dependent. As a part of language, humans engage in winks, nods, hand gestures, postures, whistles, intonations, etc. that can only be understood in context. Meaning does not require words because words don’t carry meaning in them. It’s more like the meaning of any sound, gesture, or action can only be fully understood in its full context. (If a word had an atomistic “meaning” attached to it, something like sarcasm would be impossible.) Humanity doesn’t understand precisely what the whales are saying, but eventually we might figure out what they are generally talking about. Right now we still can’t quite put ourselves in their shoes enough to know what their context really is. Whales think we’re square.
As this makes clear, they are not just aiming for your abortion rights, but for your birth control as well.
http://www.birthcontrolwatch.org/
New Yorker article which examines the question, “why do so many evangelical teen-agers become pregnant?”
Improv Everywhere’s Charlie Todd doesn’t have a mean-spirited bone in his body. Normally that would result in a prank-free life, but Todd created a new style of prank—one that creates joy instead of embarrassment. For four years running, Todd has led his Improv Everywhere agents in No Pants: at an uptown subway stop, on a winter day, a rider enters the car without pants, acting like any other rider. With each subsequent stop, more pantsless riders enter the car, seemingly independent of each other. As the rider-to-pants ratio rapidly shrinks, and the civilians on the car start to get concerned, a vendor comes through the car—selling pants. For a dollar. And he has everyone’s size.
Nobody gets hurt, everyone has a laugh and, despite the best efforts of the Office of Homeland Security, Improv Everywhere tapes the mission and posts dangerous pictures of our subway system on the internet.
October 28, 2008
October 27, 2008
I’ll admit the “con” site shakes my faith in the aquatic ape theory somewhat. But then reading the “pro” site (Elaine Morgan’s site) I was reminded of why I believe it. The central point I think is that the cluster of nakedness, bipedalism, and breath control is most simply explained via an aquatic (or semi-aquatic) origin - a 10 million year aquatic interlude of sorts. A lot of other details can be argued away for sure, but the simplest explanation for the clustering is the aquatic influence. The Aquatic Ape Theory is still the legitimate opposition to the Savannah Hypothesis, in my opinion. Much respect to Elaine Morgan.
October 26, 2008
The article doesn’t say it, but you can bet that humans making fire almost a million years ago is a surprise to many archaeologists, who in general have a low opinion of early human abilities.
[Matt here. You can sense the disdain for the new information with this passage.
While they did not find remnants of ancient matches or lighters, Alperson-Afil said the patterns of burned flint found in the same place throughout 12 civilizations was evidence of fire-making ability, though the methods used were unclear.
Instead of focusing on the profoundness of this discovery, they further propagate the disrespect for our ancestors by making a joke out of it.]
Jim again. You’re right Matt - it’s the kind of wry humor that skeptics specialize in. But it’s not the disrespect that gets me, since for all I know my ancestors were right bastards. It’s the idea that the most conservative idea is by default the correct one, when everyone knows they’re going to find older sites. Some scientists forget that. I mean, I get it - it’s safest to believe what one can prove. But an overreliance on that approach will limit your predictive power, and you’ll find yourself patching your conservative theory every time new data rolls in.
Off-topic philosophical aside: The idea that ”one should only believe what can be proved” (logical positivism) cannot be proved. It’s a tautology, and it’s why Wittgenstein rejected the logical positivists, and they returned the favor.
October 25, 2008
Myself and Jessica Emerson, RN and herbalist, denouncing genetic engineering in agriculture at the Small Farm Conference in Moriarty. We are each brandishing our recent media hits on the subject.
Specifically: male crayfish. But by extension, the entire animal kingdom. Can we start anthropomorphizing animals yet?
Pictures of biplanes etc disproves idiotic theory that Aborigines remained isolated throughout history.
The rock art, which ranges from 15,000 years old to 50 years old, chronicles Aborigine life, including scenes depicting relationships with other cultures.
This runs contrary to a long-held belief that Aborigines were isolated throughout most of their history, experts say.
Advantage: cultural diffusionism.
No UFO pictures reported so you know that data’s been suppressed. Kidding.
Environmental racism is alive and well.
Could be a way to find out what you got for Christmas before you unwrap the presents. With video.
October 24, 2008
According to Ambinder at the Atlantic, some in the McCain campaign believe Palin may be stabbing McCain in the back with her sights on 2012:
This faction has come to believe that Palin, perhaps unwittingly subconsciously or otherwise, has begun to play Sen. McCain off of the base, consistently and deliberately departed from the campaign’s message of the day in ways that damage McCain. (”palling around with terrorists” was a line that escaped HQ’s vetting… Palin’s criticism of the campaign for pulling out of Michigan was greeted by anger internally… Palin’s expressed opinion that Rev. Wright is a legitimate issue — which subtly knocks McCain for not raising it — was perceived as an attempt to preemptively blame McCain’s wobbliness for his loss, which would theoretically enhance Palin’s standing with the base.)
… And CNN. So juicy!
…American Spectator: Former Romney aides in the McCain campaign are leaking anti-Palin material to the press to help their guy in 2012. Circular firing squad!
We are growing GMO crops in New Mexico — corn, cotton and alfalfa. New Mexico State University is working with Syngenta, a large biotech corporation that genetically engineers seeds and sells them around the world. They are researching genetically engineered Roundup Ready herbicide-resistant chile. NMSU has received $250,000 from the state of New Mexico to study, research and grow out GE chile plants.
In February 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a report that showed that “virtually all participants surveyed in focus groups want labeling.” To date, there is still no mandatory labeling required for GE products.
Most genetically modified products carry fully functioning antibiotic-resistant genes — used as “selectable markers.” According to a 1999 article in The Journal (Newcastle, UK), the presence of these antibiotic-resistant genes in a plant indicate that the organism has been successfully engineered.
In an Internet posting, The Union of Concerned Scientists says that “eating these foods could reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics to fight disease.” Hospitals around the world have increased incidences of infections from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. This organism has mutated and cannot be killed by most antibiotics. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90,000 Americans a year get deadly infections from MRSA. In 2005 the CDC reported 18,650 deaths associated with MRSA infections. Do we need more antibiotic-resistant organisms?
Promises broken?
Biotechnology and seed companies have made many promises and have declared transgenic plants the new hope for the world. But have these plants lived up to the promises of their creators? Can the plants provide the nutrition that will prevent more than 800 million deaths per year from starvation?
Studies have not proven the claim of increased yield in GE crops. In a review of 8,200 field trials, genetically altered Roundup Ready seeds produced fewer bushels of soybeans than conventional varieties.
From fellow traveler Jessica Emerson, courtesy of the New Mexican.
October 23, 2008
Increasing problems with pesticide residues on food in the EU:
But despite evidence of widespread food contamination, efforts to reduce dietary exposure to hazardous pesticides are being fiercely contested by the pesticides industry.
“These are the worst pesticide results we’ve ever seen,” said Elliott Cannell, Coordinator of PAN Europe. “A record proportion of fruits and vegetables are contaminated, while 23 pesticides were detected at levels high enough to present an acute risk to public health, according to the EU’s own risk calculations.
Good thing we’ve got that all under control in the US (cough).
McCain’s spiritual adviser. I can’t believe I haven’t heard anything about this until now. Maybe this is why the GOP backed off of Jeremiah Wright, who I pretty much agree with. I understand why Barack had to distance himself from him, at least in the political spectrum. McCain’s dude is freakin nuts.
Edit: Found this gem on Wiki:
McCain later rejected Parsley’s endorsement based on Parsley’s statements regarding Islam.[9] Parsley was quoted as stating that he “do[es] not believe that our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed” and that Muhammad is “the mouthpiece of a conspiracy of spiritual evil.
In repudiating Parsley’s comments, McCain stated, “I believe there is no place for that kind of dialogue in America, and I believe that even though he endorsed me, and I didn’t endorse him, the fact is that I repudiate such talk, and I reject his endorsement.”[12] McCain further distanced himself from Parsley, stating, “I’ve never been in Pastor Hagee’s church or Pastor Parsley’s church. I didn’t attend their church for 20 years, and I’m not a member of their church. I received their endorsement, which did not mean that I endorsed their views.”
So apparently not all its cracked up to be.
The Bush Doctrine, of course, no longer exists. Within a year, it had run aground on the shoals of reality on its very first whistle stop in Iraq. More than six years later, looking back on the foreign policy that emerged from Bush’s self-declared Global War on Terror, it’s clear that no President has ever failed on his own terms on such a scale or quite so comprehensively.
Here, then, is a brief report card on Bush’s Global War on Terror:
High-Value Targets
1. Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda: The Global War on Terror started here. Osama bin Laden was to be brought in “dead or alive” — until, in December 2001, he escaped from a partial U.S. encirclement in the mountainous Tora Bora region of Afghanistan (and many of the U.S. troops chasing him were soon enough dispatched Iraqwards). Seven years later, bin Laden remains free, as does his second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, probably in the mountainous Pakistani tribal areas near the Afghan border. Al-Qaeda has been reconstituted there and is believed to be stronger than ever. An allied organization that didn’t exist in 2001, al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, was later declared by President Bush to be the “central front in the war on terror,” while al-Qaeda branches and wannabe groups have proliferated elsewhere.
Result: Terror promoted.
Grade: F
2. The Taliban and Afghanistan: The Taliban was officially defeated in November 2001 with an “invasion” that combined native troops, U.S. special operations forces, CIA agents, and U.S. air power. The Afghan capital, Kabul, was “liberated” and, not long after, a “democratic” government installed (filled, in part, with a familiar cast of warlords, human rights violators, drug lords, and the like). Seven years later, according to an upcoming National Intelligence Estimate, Afghanistan is on a “downward spiral”; the drug trade flourishes as never before; the government of President Hamid Karzai is notoriously corrupt, deeply despised, and incapable of exercising control much beyond the capital; American and NATO troops, thanks largely to a reliance upon air power and soaring civilian deaths, are increasingly unpopular; the Taliban is resurgent and has established a shadow government across much of the south, while its guerrillas are embedded at the gates of Kabul. American and NATO forces promoted a “surge” strategy in 2007 that failed and are now calling for more of the same. Reconstruction never happened.
Result: Losing war.
Grade: F
3. Pakistan: At the time of the invasion of Afghanistan, the Bush administration threw its support behind General Pervez Musharraf, the military dictator of relatively stable, nuclear-armed Pakistan. In the ensuing years, the U.S. transferred at least $10 billion, mainly to the general’s military associates, to fight the Global War on Terror. (Most of the money went elsewhere). Seven years later, Musharraf has fallen ingloriously, while the country has reportedly turned strongly anti-American — only 19% of Pakistanis in a recent BBC poll had a negative view of al-Qaeda — is on the verge of a financial meltdown, and has been strikingly destabilized, with its tribal regions at least partially in the hands of a Pakistani version of the Taliban as well as al-Qaeda and foreign jihadis. That region is also now a relatively safe haven for the Afghan Taliban. American planes and drones attack in these areas ever more regularly, causing civilian casualties and more anti-Americanism, as the U.S. edges toward its third real war in the region.
Result: Extremism promoted, destabilization in progress.
Grade: F
4. Iraq: In March 2003, with a shock-and-awe air campaign and 130,000 troops, the Bush administration launched its long-desired invasion of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, officially in search of (nonexistent) weapons of mass destruction. Baghdad fell to American troops in April and Bush declared “major combat operations…ended” from the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier against a “Mission Accomplished” banner on May 1st. Within four months, according to administration projections, there were to be only 30,000 to 40,000 American troops left in the country, stationed at bases outside Iraq’s cities, in a peaceful (occupied) land with a “democratic,” non-sectarian, pro-American government in formation. In the intervening five-plus years, perhaps one million Iraqis died, up to five million went into internal or external exile, a fierce insurgency blew up, an even fiercer sectarian war took place, more than 4,000 Americans died, hundreds of billions of American taxpayer dollars were spent on a war that led to chaos and on “reconstruction” that reconstructed nothing. There are still close to 150,000 American troops in the country and American military leaders are cautioning against withdrawing many more of them any time soon. Filled with killing fields and barely hanging together, Iraq is — despite recently lowered levels of violence — still among the more dangerous environments on the planet, while a largely Shiite government in Baghdad has grown ever closer to Shiite Iran. Thanks to the President’s “surge strategy” of 2007, this state of affairs is often described here as a “success.”
Result: Mission unaccomplished.
Grade: F
5. Iran: In his January 2002 State of the Union address, Bush dubbed Iran part of an “axis of evil” (along with Iraq and North Korea), attaching a shock-and-awe bull’s-eye to that nation ruled by Islamic fundamentalists. (A neocon quip of that time was: “Everyone wants to go to Baghdad. Real men want to go to Tehran.”) In later years, Bush warned repeatedly that the U.S. would not allow Iran to move toward the possession of a nuclear weapons program and his administration would indeed take numerous steps, ranging from sanctions to the funding of covert actions, to destabilize the country’s ruling regime. More than six years after his “axis of evil” speech, and endless administration threats and bluster later, Iran is regionally resurgent, the most powerful foreign influence in Shiite Iraq, and continuing on a path toward that nuclear power program which, it claims, is purely peaceful, but could, of course, prove otherwise.
Result: Strengthened Iran.
Grade: F
Unlawful Enemy Combatants
6. Lebanon: Vowing to encourage a “democratic,” pro-western Lebanon and crush the Shiite Hezbollah movement, which it categorized not only as a tool of Iran but as a terrorist organization, the administration green-lighted Israel’s disastrous air assault and invasion in the summer of 2006. From that destructive war, Hezbollah emerged triumphant in its southern domain and strengthened in Lebanese national politics. Today, Lebanon is once again close to a low-level civil war and the influence of Syria, essentially the unmentioned fourth member of the President’s “axis of evil,” is again on the rise.
Result: Hezbollah ascendant.
It goes on.
