What's on your mind - Open Thread

"4. Should intelligent design be taught in public schools alongside evolution? - 52% said yes, 48% said no " (2.00 / 5)

Watched Flock of Dodos on NetFlix recently. I think it answers why America has such a love/hate affair with Intelligent Design.

The filmmaker is an evolutionary biologist, but he addresses the issue not by calling creationists idiots but rather looking at how the two sides communicate their message.

Grand memes like "scientists are liberal elitists" don't occur simply because some Evil Actor has launched an advertising campaign. They occur because they resonate with a broadly felt emotion. In this case a broadly felt - and correct - impression that a lot of educated people are arrogant buttheads.

Being right about something - and being a dick about it - is no way to win an argument. I don't doubt for a minute the veracity of evolution, or many of the arguments associated with that worldview, but science sucks at marketing. There is a consistent lesson in this for many who argue from a position of knowledge.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 14:15:26 PM UTC

Martillo te presento al clavo. (2.00 / 3)

I was wondering the other day about the whole dinosaurs had feathers thing. Is this legit? The reason I ask is because some nephews are learning about the most awesome part of elementary school science... T-REX and Friends! and I didn't see feathers in the illustrations (books are newer editions).  

Just because they are posting on a progressive site doesn't make them progressives. - John Allen

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by: spacemanspiff @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 17:46:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think the current view is that some had feathers. (2.00 / 5)

Scales and feathers are essentially the same sorts of structures I believe. Feathers just extend further from the root and so forth.

These are the sorts of transitional issues that show the process of evolution and puzzle those who doubt or actively disbelieve. The attributes of the outer shell of a creature go all the way back to the very first random RNA chain that encoded for some sort of iterative molecule and grew a wall around its own private drop of water. The evolved makeup of later cell walls, the external-facing attributes of early multicell cohorts and the epidermis of every plant and animal since has defined the boundary between a life form and the inanimate world around it.

Scales or feathers on a dino would come down to which served the purpose better. I can't recall the most recent academic views, but I imagine for temperature regulation and perhaps making the animal look bigger (defense) feathers might have been more common on smaller animals. May have been a mix, some plumage on the head for mating/territorial or other ritual purposes.

I bet a bit of google would show that the thought on the topic has evolved a lot since either of us looked last. We're getting pretty good at making these sorts of guesses.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 18:00:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There have been some major advances (2.00 / 5)

in the last few years, because of fossils found in China and other advances. Textbook publishers may not have caught up yet.

I find it quite fascinating. For some reason, don't remember why now, I did some reading on the evolution of fish recently. That led to more reading about the divergence of dinosaurs and birds. There have been a lot of exciting discoveries over the last 10 years or so. Unfortunately, I don't think I bookmarked any of the articles I read.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 18:56:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's an article that was published this month (2.00 / 5)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/re...

Iridescent, Feathered Dinosaur Offers Fresh Evidence That Feathers Evolved to Attract Mates

ScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2012) - A team of American and Chinese researchers has revealed the detailed feather pattern and color of Microraptor, a pigeon-sized, four-winged dinosaur that lived about 120 million years ago. A new specimen shows the dinosaur had a glossy iridescent sheen and that its tail was narrow and adorned with a pair of streamer feathers, suggesting the importance of display in the early evolution of feathers, as presented in the March 9 edition of the journal Science.
...
Since it was discovered as the first four-winged dinosaur in 2003, Microraptor has been at the center of questions about the evolution of feathers and flight. A number of scientists have proposed aerodynamic functions for various feathery features such as its tail, forewing shape and hind limbs, going so far as to place Microraptor models in wind tunnels and launch them from catapults. Once thought to be a broad, teardrop-shaped surface or with a shape more like that of a paper airplane meant to help generate lift, Microraptor's tail fan is actually much narrower with two elongate feathers off of its tip. The researchers believe the tail feathering may have been ornamental and probably evolved for courtship and other social interactions and not as an adaptation for flight.

"Most aspects of early dinosaur feathering continue to be interpreted as fundamentally aerodynamic, optimized for some aspect of aerial locomotion," said Julia Clarke, one of the paper's co-authors and an associate professor of paleontology at The University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences. "Some of these structures were clearly ancestral characteristics that arose for other functions and stuck around, while others may be linked to display behaviors or signaling of mate quality. Feather features were surely shaped by early locomotor styles. But, as any birder will tell you, feather colors and shapes may also be tied with complex behavioral repertoires and, if anything, may be costly in terms of aerodynamics."
...
The researchers studied feathering, melanosome shape and density from a Microraptor fossil working closely with collaborators Quanguo Li, Ke-Qin Gao and Meng Qingjin at the Beijing Museum of Natural History. The samples and preservation of melanosomes were assessed by Jakob Vinther and compared with a database of melanosomes from a variety of modern birds assembled by Shawkey and Liliana D'Alba at the University of Akron.

The feather color displayed by many modern birds is produced partially by arrays of melanosomes, about a hundred of which can fit across a human hair. Generally found in a round or cigar-like shape, a melanosome's structure is constant for a given color. After a breakthrough by Vinther in 2009, paleontologists have started analyzing the shape of melanosomes in well-preserved fossilized feather imprints. By comparing these patterns with those in living birds, scientists can infer the color of dinosaurs that lived many millions of years ago. Iridescence arises when the narrow melanosomes are organized in stacked layers.

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Natural Science Foundation of China, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources, and the Beijing Academy of Science and Technology.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 19:03:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I would like to pause and admire the genius of this so oft-derided species: (2.00 / 3)

The feather color displayed by many modern birds is produced partially by arrays of melanosomes, about a hundred of which can fit across a human hair. Generally found in a round or cigar-like shape, a melanosome's structure is constant for a given color. After a breakthrough by Vinther in 2009, paleontologists have started analyzing the shape of melanosomes in well-preserved fossilized feather imprints. By comparing these patterns with those in living birds, scientists can infer the color of dinosaurs that lived many millions of years ago. Iridescence arises when the narrow melanosomes are organized in stacked layers.

Let me just get this straight.

Since I was a kid and we thought dinos were slow and cold blooded, T-Rex stood upright dragging his tail and "Brontosaurs" lived in swamps up to their shoulders because they could not stand on land, we have figured out:

- That the color in bird feathers is caused by nanostructures;

- how to read imprints of these nanostructures in fossil stones;

- and that when they are arranged in stacked layers the color is iridescent.

Well blow me down.

Dino coloring was one of the things that not long ago I thought might remain always something of a mystery. But we know for a fact that this fellow had scales turning into protofeathers around rings of his tail.

What an amazing creature we are.

"Feathers are key to the success of birds and we can now dissect their evolutionary history in detail and see how each feather type -- and the fine detail of feather structure -- was acquired through time. This will link with current work on how the genome controls feather development."

What limits might we really have?

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 06:57:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Did you know blue birds aren't really blue? (2.00 / 2)

At least, not in the same sense that a cardinal is red. The blue is a trick of light caused by the same mechanism that causes iridescence.  

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 16:04:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And polar bears do not have white fur. (2.00 / 3)

It is as clear as glass. The hair acts as fiber optics to direct sunlight to their skin, which is black.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 19:54:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Intelligent Design question and (2.00 / 4)

the privatize SS question. Actually, the answers on a lot of those questions are not what I would have expected. Not so much the percentages for any individual question, but the range over all of the questions.

60% approve of the death penalty while 68% think the minimum wage should be increased. 63% answered no to Are all abortions unethical? and then 56% answered yes to privatizing SS.

The answers to one other pair of questions struck me as a little odd.

3. Should we consider invading Iran? - 23% said yes, 77% said no
19. Should the United States only start a war if there is an imminent threat of being attacked ourselves? - 77% said yes, 23% said no

Shouldn't the percentage answering yes to question 3 be higher than those answering yes to question 19?

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 19:21:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oops! (2.00 / 3)

"Shouldn't the percentage answering yes no to question 3 be higher than those answering yes to question 19?"

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 21:19:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree with the premise... (2.00 / 2)

...that insulting an intellectual opponent is counter-productive.

The suspicion of science, from Frankenstein through Nazi Doctors, to Oppenheimer, is our fear of the unknown, and how 'experts' can misuse their abstruse knowledge to our cost.

So rather than marketing, I'd say education is the key. After all, modern education is based on the premises of science. Induction, hypothesis, test, proof. We fought hundred year battles to wrest our children from religious indoctrination. It's not a value I can give up lightly.


The p***artist formerly known as 'Brit'

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by: Peter Jukes @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 22:10:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'd disagree. (2.00 / 1)

Education is wonderful, but most people are only going to have so much time for a given topic of study in their lives. Besides, education is a long cycle that is slow to change so it isn't going to change anything in the near term.

Marketing is more important in this case. It is broader than evolution and it speaks to the personal development of those with the knowledge.

It is boringly cliche to say that many highly intelligent and highly educated people fail at human communication. On a personal level I find it hideously boring to deal with extremely bright folks who - often with intent and malice aforethought - have somehow failed to put any time into learning how to speak like civilized human beings. It should be more expected - but is in fact less observed - for people without exceptional cognitive skills to fail to learn the nuance of human interaction. Failing when you know better is just shallow and self indulgent.

What needs to be added to education is emphasis on information sharing. Not only to address the issue of two-dimensional academics but more importantly to arm coming generations with the skills that will be most important. In a world where most information is readily available the value of sole ownership of a tiny slice is going down. Much more important is the ability to make sense out of information, and that requires a lot of interaction.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 22:26:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Of course, but your reference to marketing... (2.00 / 3)

...makes the opposite point. There are many great masters of communication who actually have nothing to say, or something venal to sell. I can think of thousands, from Richard Nixon, through Pat Robertson, to Ron L Hubbard.

Goebbels was a great communicator

I'm in the communication business. You're in the information business. Data becomes information through expertise, and then information becomes knowledge through an understanding of communication.

But unless there's something to communicate, it's all irrelevant. And what science teaches us, and what our whole education system since the 19th century is predicated on, is an inquiring open attitude to the world, capable of validation or disproof.

Science - the process of gaining knowledge - is actually at the heart of the modern world, rather like democracy.  

The p***artist formerly known as 'Brit'

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by: Peter Jukes @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 23:00:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I would disagree... ;~) (2.00 / 2)

It makes precisely the point. The fact that great communicators can use their Power for Evil does not indicate that honest people should eschew the art, but rather that they should excel at it.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 20:01:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Unfortunately, this is true (2.00 / 2)

It is not enough to be right about something, you actually have to sell people on the fact that you are right.  I wish it weren't true - that all you had to do was to lay out the facts and let reasonable people agree with you - but I've seen firsthand that this isn't the case.  Even the most ironclad of arguments requires salesmanship.  I hope that the scientific community has learned the same lesson.

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by: rfahey22 @ Thu Apr 12, 2012 at 02:31:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not so much. (2.00 / 1)

I hope that the scientific community has learned the same lesson.

But we are getting slowly better at it by slices.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Apr 15, 2012 at 14:25:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I wrote this article this morning (2.00 / 1)

about Information Sharing. The topic is a larger part of securing critical infrastructure than actually securing critical infrastructure.

"What do you say to whom to effect progress?"

It is the very crux of every human endeavor. Most often, those who become subject matter experts in something (like cybersecurity) do not develop the same level of skill in other areas. Like, for example, human communications.

"Sell" can sound like such an ugly word, but "sell" it is for all of us every day. If you want to do anything that involves more than yourself - even tangentially - you are going to have to enunciate your intentions in such a way as to get the buy-in from one or more others.

It ain't disingenuous, it's just playing well with others.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Sun Apr 15, 2012 at 22:53:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This D.O.V. piece is on my mind... (2.00 / 5)

Coon hunting, slave-catchers and vigilantes

http://www.dailykos.com/story/...

Just because they are posting on a progressive site doesn't make them progressives. - John Allen

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by: spacemanspiff @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 22:28:03 PM UTC

Thanks for the link. (2.00 / 3)

It's always enlightening and pleasurable to read one of Dee's posts.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 22:53:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Some great photography. (2.00 / 3)

I may already have posted something on the moose about this photographer. If so, it's worth repeating.

Rick Lieder is an artist and photographer living in the Detroit area. We worked together about 12 years ago. He was the graphic designer for a web development firm. I was the lead content developer with responsibility for usability and information architecture. We bumped heads a few times, as would be expected with such conflicting priorities, but I was always impressed by his talent. That talent has found expression in recent years with his focus on backyard nature photography.

Take a look - http://microwilderness.com/man...

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Sun Apr 01, 2012 at 23:00:59 PM UTC

My ranking, for what it is worth.... (2.00 / 4)

The following are your scores. They are based on a gradual range of 0 to 12. For instance, a Conservative/Progressive score of 3 and 0 will both yield a result of social conservative, yet 0 would be an extreme conservative and 3 a moderate conservative

Conservative/Progressive score: 9
You are a social progressive. You generally consider yourself a humanist first. You probably think that religion and patriotism go too far in society. You probably consider yourself to be a citizen of Earth first rather than a citizen of your country.

Capitalist Purist/Social Capitalist score: 12
You're a Social Capitalist, you think that, left to its own, Capitalism leaves a lot of people behind. You think that Health Care should be free to all, that the minimum wage should be raised, and that the government should provide jobs to all that are capable of having them. You likely hated the Bush tax cuts, and believe that the middle class has gotten poorer, and the rich have gotten richer over the past several years. The far extreme of social capitalism is socialism.

Libertarian/Authoritarian score: 0
You are libertarian. You think that the government is making way too many unnecessary laws that are taking away our innate rights. You believe that the government's job is primarily to protect people from harming other people, but after that they should mind their own business, and if we give the government too much power in controlling our lives, it can lead to fascism.

Pacifist/Militarist score: 1
You're a Pacifist. You are angered that the United States thinks it should dominate the world through its military force. You think that the only time war is necessary is when we are in direct danger of being attacked. You also believe the US spends way too much of its money on defense, as we can practically cut it in half and still easily defend ourselves, and use that money to fix all our economic problems.

Overall, you would most likely fit into the category of Hardcore Democrat.

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by: Rashaverak @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 03:42:49 AM UTC

They rated me as a hardcore Democrat, too. (2.00 / 4)

Conservative/Progressive score: 10

Capitalist Purist/Social Capitalist score: 12

Libertarian/Authoritarian score: 2

Pacifist/Militarist score: 2

Overall, you would most likely fit into the category of Hardcore Democrat

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 05:36:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, I'm not sure it ends up in the right place... (2.00 / 5)

Conservative/Progressive score: 10

You are a social progressive.

Capitalist Purist/Social Capitalist score: 8

You are a Moderate Capitalist. You support an economy that is by and large a free market, but has public programs to help people who can't help themselves or need a little help. Pretty much you believe in the American economy how it currently is.

Yep, that's about right.

Libertarian/Authoritarian score: 3

You are libertarian.

Same as Rash, though I am less libertarian. I'd say the description overstates the position, but in the ballpark.

Pacifist/Militarist score: 6

You're a Moderate. You think that in very rare occasions, the United States should invade a country in order to make the world better by spreading democracy or ending a tyrants rule. You also think that defense is very important, and we shouldn't lower the defense budget. You think that, while the Iraq War probably was a mistake, that we can make the world a better place by sticking with it and spreading democracy in the middle east.

Close enough. Never use military force, but when you do be overwhelmingly certain it will be decisive in our favor.

Overall, you would most likely fit into the category of Democrat

Dammit.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 06:36:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gotcha!! (2.00 / 4)

The p***artist formerly known as 'Brit'

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by: Peter Jukes @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 10:14:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

OT: Reagan lawyer thinks SCOTUS batty (2.00 / 5)

When the incoming Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. came before the Senate for confirmation seven years ago, President Reagan's solicitor general gave him a warm endorsement as a "careful, modest" judge.

"He's not a man on a mission," Harvard Law professor Charles Fried testified, adding that Roberts was not likely "to embark on constitutional adventures."

[snip]

After the healthcare arguments, Fried was among those who worried aloud about the prospect of the Roberts court embarking on a new era of judicial activism.

If the court were to invalidate the healthcare law, "It would be more problematic than Bush v. Gore," Fried said in an interview, referring to the case that decided the 2000 presidential race. "It would be plainly at odds with precedent, and plainly in conflict with what several of the justices have said before."

[snip]

Fried had confidently predicted the law would be easily upheld. He said he was taken aback by the tone of the arguments. "The vehemence they displayed was totally inappropriate. They seemed to adopt the tea party slogans," he said.

http://www.latimes.com/health/...

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Mon Apr 02, 2012 at 20:15:49 PM UTC

And if anyone needs a freakin' reason to vote ... (2.00 / 4)

SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS
SCOTUS

and war with Iran

"When Fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in teh stupid and waving a gun" ~ Esteev on Wonkette

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by: HappyinVT @ Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 02:55:06 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

This (2.00 / 4)

A 1000X this.

SCOTUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Tue Apr 03, 2012 at 03:58:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

CNN is reporting that Barack Obama has clinched the (2.00 / 3)

Democratic nomination.  Really.

"When Fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in teh stupid and waving a gun" ~ Esteev on Wonkette

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by: HappyinVT @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:00:02 AM UTC

Pretty cool ... (2.00 / 4)

President Obama will introduce a new restoration of the 1962 courtroom drama "To Kill a Mockingbird" on April 7 on the USA Network.

snip

The airing on USA marks the first national broadcast of the movie since it was digitally remastered and restored by Universal Pictures and the American Film Institute in conjunction with Universal's centennial this year.

"I'm deeply honored that President Obama will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by introducing it to a national audience," [Harper] Lee said in a statement. "I believe it remains the best translation of a book to film ever made, and I'm proud to know that Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus Finch lives on -- in a world that needs him now more than ever."

USA is broadcasting "To Kill a Mockingbird" as part of its "Characters Unite" public-service campaign, a bid to combat discrimination through on-air programming, digital content and events.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.co...

"When Fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in teh stupid and waving a gun" ~ Esteev on Wonkette

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by: HappyinVT @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 01:26:04 AM UTC

I'll have to dvr it to watch commercial free. (2.00 / 5)

I came across Lilies of the Field the other day and recorded it on a whim. It was really enjoyable. I was reminded why Sidney Poitier has been ranked as one of the greatest actors of all time.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 02:22:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I want a cheeseburger and I want it nowww. (2.00 / 4)

That's on my mind.  

Just because they are posting on a progressive site doesn't make them progressives. - John Allen

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by: spacemanspiff @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 05:31:01 AM UTC

Had 2 of them for lunch (2.00 / 3)

from my favorite local place to get them.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 05:50:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

currently, my fave (2.00 / 1)

http://www.miniburgertruck.com...

come to my hood.

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 16:07:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Looks like my kind of place. (2.00 / 2)

I lived in Dearborn, MI for 5 years in the 90's. There was a place within walking distance that was all about mini-burgers. I would go there several times a week to get a sack of burgers. The owner was quite a character. He was rude, bullheaded, and argumentative. But that didn't matter, because the burgers were good.  

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 17:31:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I should expand on that last comment. (2.00 / 2)

Lots of small business owners are oddballs. However, this was a very small diner and he was the only employee. There were a couple of small tables and a counter. No waitress and only the owner as a cook. It was an entertaining experience to dine there.

When I had a taste for a "real" burger I would go down the road a bit. The best place to get a burger in Dearborn was a little farther west on Michigan Ave. It's called Miller's Bar. Their burgers are voted the number one burger in the Detroit area year after year. They've even made some national lists for the best burgers in America. http://www.millersbar.com

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 18:28:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is freaking awesome! (2.00 / 3)

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 19:35:50 PM UTC

I should have made it clear what the video shows. (2.00 / 1)

It's the Google Project Glass demo. https://plus.google.com/111626...

These are wearable glasses that apparently have a built in mic and ear piece. They are connected to the net, obviously. The glasses act as a heads-up display. These are in development right now. The article I read said they could be on the market as early as the end of this year.

I envisioned something like this 15 years ago, but as I envisioned it there would be a flip-down monitor that would be a couple of inches in front of your eye. Everything would run off a computer about the size of today's smart phones.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 00:47:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm waiting for the ocular implants n/t (2.00 / 3)

The future is unwritten

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by: Strummerson @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 02:08:30 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Someday... (2.00 / 3)

Cyborgs are the future of the human race. Hell, we're already there - hearing aids, pacemakers, artificial joints, etc...

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 02:30:16 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

All hail the singularity! n/t (2.00 / 2)

The future is unwritten

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by: Strummerson @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 02:52:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gotcha trumped, Gandalf, (2.00 / 1)

I've been thinking about exactly these since I was about 10 (1975). It's obvious that the computer as a machine goes away and is replaced by jewelry - as timepieces were. The only piece of apparel that works is a pair of glasses.

The thing that I really want to see is the software to go with it that attaches virtual space overlays to physical spaces. I've always figured the glasses were obvious but that most folks wouldn't think of the overlay. That is either done now or so encroached by tangential technology that it will pop into existence about the same time as these glasses hit the market.

This is cool as heck, too:

The future is happening so fast its the past before we notice it.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 20:01:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My money is on Rubio or Nikki Haley for R-money's VP (2.00 / 4)

And I think all the buzz about Willard's affect on the majority of representatives of the female sex suggest that it's Haley.  And she's sort of black...  India is right next door to Africa, but I'm not sure you can see Africa from India.

The future is unwritten

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by: Strummerson @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 19:46:41 PM UTC

I've been thinking it's Rubio for some time now. (2.00 / 3)

Way back, I had Bob McDonnell at/near the top of the list of possibles, but now with the VA intravaginal probe ovvereach and Rmoney's numbers with women, I'd guess he's ruled out.  Hey, was flipping through my phone and thought I saw a headline about McCain suggesting he choose Palin, but refresh wiped it away and I couldn't find it again.  Anyone hear about this?  If Grampers is suggesting Sarah shouldn't the senior Senator from AZ be subjected to a mental fitness exam? Is he still fit to serve?

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:14:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

gah, scatterbrained (2.00 / 3)

http://www.latimes.com/news/po...

It looks like concern within Mitt Romney's campaign that the prolonged Republican presidential primary could damage his standing among undecided voters has some legitimacy.

A new USA Today/Gallup poll gauging support among independents in swing states finds that President Obama holds a 48% to 39% advantage over the presumptive GOP nominee Romney, a significant change from polling conducted last year.

The poll, conducted before Romney's primary victories on Tuesday, also places Obama's overall support in 12 swing states above Romney's, 51% to 42%.

The key to these results is the sizeable departure of independent women from Romney's camp over the past few months in favor of Obama. In polls conducted between October and December 2011, Romney led Obama 48% to 43% among independent women. But since then, the aggregated data from February to March bodes well for Obama, with independent women now preferring the president 51% to 37%.

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:28:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think McDonnell is still a possibility. (2.00 / 3)

Virginia is an important swing state and the GOP might think he would swing it back to them.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:35:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No way (2.00 / 2)

I think the birth control debate has irreparably damaged Rubio (he of the Blunt-Rubio bill).

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by: rfahey22 @ Thu Apr 12, 2012 at 03:58:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

yeah, leaning portman now. (2.00 / 1)

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Thu Apr 19, 2012 at 22:44:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

if he chooses a woman (2.00 / 2)

what about Susana Martinez? female, Hispanic, and the governor of a swing state (NM). problem is she's not really known nationally and may not have the tea party cred Haley does.

 

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:23:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Martinez is popular in NM. (2.00 / 3)

She's as well known nationally as Palin was in early '08. I definitely think she is on the short list.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:33:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

yeah (2.00 / 3)

She's as well known nationally as Palin was in early '08.

...and that worked out well. martinez is untested, but you're right. i'm betting the vetting (poet, didn't know it) for veep will be MUCH more thorough this go 'round.

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 20:59:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Timely poll question. (2.00 / 5)

http://washington.cbslocal.com...

According to a new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, 51 percent of Hispanics would rather be identified from their family's country of origin, instead of describing their identity as "Hispanic" or "Latino."

"Half (51%) say that most often they use their family's country of origin to describe their identity," the Pew Research Center survey says. "That includes such terms as 'Mexican' or 'Cuban' or 'Dominican,' for example. Just one-quarter (24%) say they use the terms 'Hispanic' or 'Latino' to most often to describe their identity. And 21% say they use the term 'American' most often."

I think it's lame how they speak as if we (latin americans) don't see what they are trying to do. I imagine that's how most women felt with Palin.  

Just because they are posting on a progressive site doesn't make them progressives. - John Allen

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by: spacemanspiff @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 22:40:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This makes sense (2.00 / 2)

since "Hispanic" is not really a racial identifier.  

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Wed Apr 04, 2012 at 22:47:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Methinks you give too much credit. (2.00 / 2)

I think Romney suffers from McCain's "It is my time" syndrome and isn't doing the hard work to really earn the nomination.  I also think he's going to go with whomever he thinks can best shore him up with the base and hope for an assist by the media.

I am hearing a lot of buzz about Paul Ryan - they look good together and interact well.  But they look like they are father/son.  Not sure Ryan helps him win WI, either.

And,  back to McCain: fucker suggested Romney select Palin!  

"When Fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in teh stupid and waving a gun" ~ Esteev on Wonkette

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by: HappyinVT @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 14:54:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Let's hope the GOP listens to Sarah Palin (2.00 / 2)

when they get around to picking a VP candidate. She has Allen West at the top of her list. What a gift that would be for POTUS.

This is not a recession. It's a robbery.

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by: John Allen @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 00:36:00 AM UTC

I didn't know Adam West was a Republican... (1.50 / 2)

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 19:55:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

textsfromhillaryclinton.tumblr.com (2.00 / 2)

(drops mic and walks offstage)

Just because they are posting on a progressive site doesn't make them progressives. - John Allen

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by: spacemanspiff @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 20:19:08 PM UTC

lulz! (2.00 / 1)

Earth is the best vacation place for advanced clowns. --Gary Busey
 

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by: fogiv @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 20:57:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This Young Lady Breaks Trayvon Martin and Whiteness down like a fraction (2.00 / 4)

So it's been a bitch these last couple weeks I aint going to lie.  My TL is chock full of about to be blocked wingnuts telling me how Trayvon deserved it or how some story a neighbor told means there should be no trial, but every time my faith in mankind wants to waver I run across something like this.

I will not fathom why RWNJ cannot even just once say yeah that's fucked up you got a point it's balls to the wall everytime for them.  Thanks little sweetie.

"I honor the place in you where Spirit lives
I honor the place in you which is
of Love, of Truth, of Light, of Peace,
when you are in that place in you,
and I am in that place in me,
then we are One."  Namaste Friends!

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by: Adept2u @ Thu Apr 05, 2012 at 21:40:41 PM UTC

Woof. (2.00 / 3)

Well said young lady. Well said, indeed.

Talk about cutting through the top dozen layers. I hope I've lived up to the model she lays out as well as can be expected.

She's right, of course, on a number of issues but the core is very nice to hear coming from a person of her age and apparently place in society. If I can badly paraphase:

"Yes, we get it, you are not an ignorant white suburban kid but you are still a white suburban kid. Now think of something  more constructive to do about your new-found Awareness than try to be something you aren't."

White suburban kids mostly don't know what to do with their real concerns with injustice. None of us want to be pegged as the cause of the damn situation so many try - unsuccessfully in every case - to disassociate with our Native Environs.

There isn't anything wrong with being a white suburban kid. It can actually be - white or otherwise - a very healthy environment to grow up in. Just don't be naive as you have the age and experience to choose.

The same goes for all kids, but the issues she is picking at are a matter of frank demographics. There are more suburban kids with more power per capita, and among them most of them are white, than otherwise. You can't be from the Hip Exciting part of town if you are from the suburbs - ever - so don't be embarrassing and try to pretend. Be yourselves, be aware of your context in the world and try on average to actually make a difference.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

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by: Chris Blask @ Fri Apr 06, 2012 at 07:28:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Did you know (2.00 / 3)

Obama started the Iraq war? Seriously heard an old lady say it in the supermarket today.

Her friend agreed and then added that oil companies are screwing us all over because Obama won't drill for more oil.

Australia, do you have room for me?  

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by: DTOzone @ Fri Apr 06, 2012 at 21:06:19 PM UTC