“Hi, my name is Dr. Johnny Valdez, and I think global warming is bunk!” “Oh, and did I mention the six-figure donation my organization got from a prominent, ahem, petroleum utilization corporation?” Not too far from the truth, aside from the total lack of details. Here are some actual details, courtesy of Environmental Defense.
Singing Insects of North America
Identify them all! Will you find a more comprehensive resource to the aforementioned singing insects of North America? Probably not. Take a look, convince yourself.
Posted by Ben on November 18, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/singing-insects-of-north-america/
Putting it all away (into perspective, into storage)
Quick: which industry devours more money, Hollywood or Self-Storage? The answer may surprise you. (Or not; it really depends how easily you are surprised.)
Posted by Ben on November 17, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/putting-it-all-away-into-perspective-into-storage/
Echinacea shot down
Now there’s yet another study to add to the growing scientific dissatisfaction with echinacea and its alleged cold-fighting properties. The sad thing is that, probably, no amount of scientific proof is going to dethrone echinacea in the minds of the millions who’ve already convinced themselves it does work. (Of course, there’s always the chance that […]
Posted by Ben on November 3, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/echinacea-shot-down/
Lion and Tigers and Bears. Oh my.
The internet has revolutionised shopping for books, DVDs and airline tickets, but it has also opened up great opportunities to deal in illegal wildlife which, according to the UN, is worth billions of pounds a year and now rivals the arms and drug trades in scale. … “Within one week we found over 9,000 wild […]
Posted by Ben on October 21, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/lion-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my/
The Louvre 360…
…has some nice Quicktime VRs of the–you guessed it!–Louvre. (Although these QTVRs are a little bit chunkier than the best.) (via MeFi)
Posted by Ben on October 17, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/the-louvre-360/
Yes Virginia, there is a Mascot Hall of Fame
Posted by Ben on October 13, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/yes-virginia-there-is-a-mascot-hall-of-fame/
Watching, Reading, Learning
Saw and read lots of things. Same old story. Here, let’s think. Watched Cronenberg’s A History of Violence, which I thoroughly enjoyed; was at times an uncomfortable enjoyment, but that’s I think what Cronenberg was going for, mood-wise. Excellent performances all around, with what you might call a tightly-crafted script. This is a movie that […]
Posted by Ben on October 13, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/watching-reading-learning/
Saving for a rainy day
Now, a new study is offering insight into the long-term impacts of these changes, particularly the effects of large-scale deforestation in tropical regions on the global climate. … Specifically, deforestation of Amazonia was found to severely reduce rainfall in the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico during the spring and summer seasons when water […]
Posted by Ben on October 10, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/saving-for-a-rainy-day/
Complexity and Hurricanes (and other non-real, basically hypothetical what-ifs)
Without the lubricating effect of water droplets thrown up by waves, hurricanes would have trouble building up winds of more than 25 mph. Another fun “fact”: without turbulence, the Mississippi River would be flowing at supersonic speed at its mouth. (via EurekAlert: “Ocean spray lubricates hurricane winds.” [July 25, 2005])
Posted by Ben on September 16, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/complexity-and-hurricanes-and-other-non-real-basically-hypothetical-what-ifs/