Today

100,000

The 100,000 dead figure that’s being tossed around for civilian casualties in Iraq is much trumpeted, but seems to be on shaky ground. Make no mistake: whatever the number, it’s grotesque; it’s unacceptable, and shocking, and unfortunate. But 100,000 it’s not. Fred Kaplan takes the 100,000 number to task in Slate. (Quick aside: if you’re […]

Long Article, Long Tail. Big Idea.

Chris Anderson’s “The Long Tail” in Wired Magazine makes for a great read; it takes a stab at explaining a whole host of pop-culture phenomena by linking them together under a seemingly counterintuitive proposition: people’s tastes are not reined in by scarcity. Put more simply, in a physical world—the one defined by movie theaters, book […]

Really scare the kiddies this Halloween

Carve political pumpkins. Printer-friendly patterns of John Kerry and George Bush at FabulousFoods.com. (via This Modern World)

Oddiooverplay

“This little website exists to spread some happiness all over the planet by sharing sounds. Most of these sounds are far from the mainstream, so you might just find something your ears have never experienced!”

Icons of the Industry

Those talking M&M’s candy characters cleaned up, with 22 percent of more than 600,000 votes cast… The AFLAC Duck — whose quack renders the insurance company’s name — finished second with 14 percent. Mr. Peanut pulled in 10 percent. The Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger rounded out the Top 5, earning single-digit returns. (CSM: […]

I am reminded of this when we hit the second moose

I’m not nearly as fanatical about Fafblog as any number of other folks are, but the following piece, “drivin with Donald,” is pure gold. Better, even. I’m quoting it in its entirety because, well, it’s that good. (Also because it’s related to the previous post here regarding a real-life Rumsfeldian incident, albeit without Rumsfeld’s involvement.) […]

Your Guide To Springfield USA

From the Springfield Zoo and Botanical Gardens to Mt. Swatzwelder Historic Cider Mill to the Spirograph Factory—you’ll find it all in this disturbingly complete map of the Simpsons’ home town. (via, of all places, PLANetizen)

So You’ve Been Taken Prisoner by a Billionaire Colombian Drug Lord

I hate it when that happens, don’t you? Lucky for you Dan Weaver AKA Delta Force Col. Tom Smits can get you out alive. (via The Morning News)

How DO you address a Marquess’s Younger Son’s Widow?

Well, the same as you’d address a Duke’s Younger Son’s Wife, of course. (via TMN)