That was my score on this quiz. It really should have been 32 — I somehow misread the question on enemies during WW II, and read it as “allies.” And I accordingly was frustrated because none of the answers were correct (I just assumed that they meant the USSR instead of “Russia”). The only question I really missed (in terms of the actual knowledge, as opposed to misreading) was the one about the anti-Federalists. What’s dismaying, but not surprising, is how poorly not just the general public, but academics do. It would explain the disastrous results of many elections.
Hope For Michael Moore
A breakthrough: converting skin cells directly to brain cells, without a transition through stem cells.
Faster, please.
[Update a couple minutes later]
Now this is really cool — living lasers made from human cells:
Optical imaging labels can report on the molecular workings of tissues and cells in the body. Fluorescent protein tags that emit visible or infrared light are now common tools for studying cell biology in test tubes. But getting such light in and out of the body is difficult because light diffuses as it passes through biological tissues. Living lasers, if they’re made into practical systems, have the potential to change that. One can imagine having a hybrid living-nonliving medical implant under the skin that would beam out a stream of information about biomarkers in the blood, for example.
Not only that, but if it works with shark cells, it would be the solution to Dr. Evil’s long-time frustration.
The Question That Never Goes Away
Should the failed state of Iraq be dissolved?
Would that this were the only such mess in the region.
Release The Redacted Transcript!
Why are Sarah Palin’s emails so much more important than Barack Obama’s birthday toast to Rashid Khalidi? Or his college transcripts, for that matter?
The Conservative Revolutionary
Thoughts on American exceptionalism (though he doesn’t use that phrase) from Walter Russell Mead.
[Update a few minutes later]
Peripherally related: the new American revolution. This time, it’s against our self-appointed masters in the media. And the people are winning.
“Unexpectedly”
Thoughts on the useful idiots in the media and (more importantly and unfortunately) in the voting booths who really believed that electing a socialist law professor with zero business experience would actually result in an improved economy. He needs to get the return key repaired on his keyboard, though.
Peak Oil
…isn’t likely to happen any time soon.
Unless, of course, we keep in power people who want to see it happen.
[Update a few minutes later]
The oil-fracking boom in south Texas.
That’s how you grow an economy. You produce stuff that (unlike, say, CFLs or high-speed rail) people actually want to buy.
NHow To Not Appear Crazy On The Internet
Good advice from Frank J. Some commenters over at Space Politics should read it.
Facebook “Friends”
I’ve commented in the past that I’m much more selective about whom I friend on Facebook than a lot of people seem to be. I will never respond to a friend request from someone who I don’t know, in the sense of having met them either on line or in meatspace, with the exception of those who actually introduce themselves and explain why they want me to friend them. This is just one reason why.
The 2012 Campaign Logo
The anti-Obama version.
[Update Sunday morning]
Here’s a new and improved version. This is high-speed memetic evolution.
