Monday, February 20, 2006

thoughtware

from SciTech daily:

Thoughtware. Let's stop talking about computers as if they are the salvation of education, but instead focus on a spontaneous, unprogrammed classroom buzz.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

bldgblog

from Yahoo! Picks:

BLDGBLOG
This multi-contributor blog joyfully dabbles in "architectural conjecture, urban speculation, (and) landscape futures" above and below Earth's atmosphere. From electromagnetic "Grand Canyons" in space to the traffic galaxies of Los Angeles, there is no place that BLDGBLOG won't explore, or at least survey with some lush, interesting pictures. It plunges into such topics as India's super-highways, tourist photos of Las Vegas, and the Great Man-Made River of Libya. Reading through it, you may find yourself in an occasional state of disbelief: Russia has plans for mining on the moon? In 1960 a man named Joe Kittinger floated 30 kilometers above the Earth -- and then jumped? Which brings us to our final point about the writers of this site. They clearly have a finely tuned sense of wonder about the world. And for that we're willing to settle in and call BLDGBLOG home. (in Social Science)

Saturday, February 18, 2006

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

1. Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

2. Border Collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

3. Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

4. Rottweiler: Make me.

5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

6. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

7. German Shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.
8. Jack Russell Terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.

9. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!

10. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

11. Chihuahua: "We don't need no stinking light bulb."

12. Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares?

13. Australian Shepherd: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle...

14. Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.


How many cats does it take to change a light bulb?

Cats do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is:

"How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?"


ALL OF WHICH PROVES, ONCE AGAIN, THAT WHILE DOGS HAVE MASTERS, CATS HAVE STAFF!

Friday, February 17, 2006

Pollution Information Site

A few months ago I visited Denver, CO. The sky was so clear it was amazing. Especially compared to my hometown, Rochester, NY, which can be compared to Great Britain in its sunniness (or lack thereof). Well, the whole time I had trouble breathing (fortunately it was a business trip where I could stay in the same hotel the whole time if I felt like it - I did get out, but not for strolls, that's for sure). Turns out, Denver was on code red for air pollution the whole time. I was amazed. Because it was so bright I guess I assumed that the air should be fine.

So, when I fell upon this article, I just HAD to look. Only thing is, I don't know the zipcode for Denver & most other places. So I recommend gathering the zipcode from an online mapping service, such as Yahoo! Maps, first.

Update: I looked up both Denver and Rochester. Apparently Rochester is in much worse shape. Perhaps I became alarmed just because there is an air quality report on the Denver news every day? There isn't one in Rochester. Maybe there should be.



from Utne Web Watch:

Scorecard: The Pollution Information Site
By Staff, Scorecard
Curious about what's going into your air and water? Just plug your Zip code into Scorecard.org -- a website that identifies the major polluters in your neighborhood. The site also contains valuable information on chemicals, watersheds, superfund sites, and animal waste. -- Nick Rose
http://www.scorecard.org/

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Ben Franklin's 300!

From Yahoo! Picks:

The Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
This year marks the 300th anniversary, or tercentenary, of Benjamin Franklin's birth. In honor of the founding father, printer, inventor, and irrepressible raconteur, the U.S. Congress established a commission to educate we publick about Franklin's well-lived life. This beautifully crafted online exhibit is one result. Follow Franklin from his disobedient Boston beginnings, to his role in shaping the U.S. Constitution and his tenure as an elder statesman. Along the way, dip into sections that detail what Franklin thought of self-improvement, how he created a colonial media empire, and the ultimate stance he took on slavery. Finally, don't miss the "Et Cetera" page, which includes such tidbits as what the great man predicted for the future and how he nearly became a swimming coach. (in U.S. History)

Thursday, February 02, 2006

This is So Cool

from Utne:

Ever wish you could look back in a year, five years, ten years, and remember exactly what you were thinking at this moment? Now you can. The website FutureMe.org lets you type an email to yourself for future delivery on any date you set, through the year 2036. And in case your inbox changes, the site lets you update your email address any time, so your virtual time capsules never have to miss their mark.

They Always Shoot the Dog

Here's an article about how, when they are breaking into a home to arrest in the "war on drugs", police forces are quick to shoot any dogs. It's really a shame that there is no concern for the dogs or the affection that people, who may be innocent, have for them.

[the story, pointed to by Utne Web Watch]