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 […]
Lion and Tigers and Bears. Oh my.
Posted by Ben on October 21, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/lion-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my/
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/
A fast & furious rundown
Charisma Explained. No, really. A British study lays bare the components of charisma. The BBC News Magazine article gives a few pointers (open body posture, let people know they matter, develop a genuine smile, be forceful and articulate, &c.). (BBC News Magazine) And lack thereof. Another study shows that people are more likely to make […]
Posted by Ben on August 22, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/a-fast-furious-rundown/
Yet Another Mad Cow resource
The New Scientist Special Report on BSE and vCJD. Updated with the latest articles and info. Also has a timeline, web links (as opposed to…?), and briefing notes.
Posted by Ben on August 10, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/yet-another-mad-cow-resource/
Always good advice (or, what not to do when stealing a valuable painting)
There was no one in sight, a guaranteed getaway, and loot worth millions. So it must have seemed all too easy to make off with a high-priced painting from a cargo warehouse at Kennedy International Airport two weeks ago. Except, the authorities said, for two small details: 1. It was all captured on videotape. 2. […]
Posted by Ben on July 26, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/always-good-advice-or-what-not-to-do-when-stealing-a-valuable-painting/
Belligerent packaging
Did you know… Fears of food tampering predate even Snow White and the wicked Queen with her apple. No, really! Yes, so with a title of “But the Dang Thing Won’t Open,” of course it’s going to be at least partially a tounge-in-cheek article. The article–on the trials and tribulations of product packaging–is, if not […]
Posted by Ben on July 22, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/belligerent-packaging/
January 1st Is Meaningless.
May 18th, however, has all the meaning in the world. Well, not quite. A tutor (and specialist in Happiness) has devised a formula to determine the best day to come up with resolutions that have the best chance of being achieved. And that day, according to the formula, is May 18th. I personally don’t have […]
Posted by Ben on July 22, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/january-1st-is-meaningless/
Most Sustainable Cities
US city rankings by SustainLane. In addition to having a logical color-coded system, SustainLane has a fairly comprehensive break-down of sustainability issues for each city, with individual rankings for everything from concrete things, like air quality and transportation, to less obvious things, like city innovation and knowledge base. The rankings include info for the top […]
Posted by Ben on July 6, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/most-sustainable-cities/
Birds of America, c. 1840
The 1840, seven-volume edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America is now avaiable online. Granted, it’s not as useful as modern field guides, but it’s certainly interesting for the historical context (and the illustrations, of course.) (via LII)
Posted by Ben on July 3, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/birds-of-america-c-1840/
Pigs at play
The event, staged as part of an agricultural exhibition on Moscow’s outskirts, is set up like soccer, with two teams of five piglets. Instead of goals, the teams try to move the ball into painted, half-circles located at the pen’s corners. To move things along, the ball is slathered in mashed carrots. Cheered on by […]
Posted by Ben on June 30, 2005
https://www.swordbilled.com/pigs-at-play/