Saturday, April 30, 2005
Godzilla vs. the Giant Scissors: Cutting the Antiwar Heart Out of a Classic
All those years watching Godzilla movies and I didn't even know...although one could guess the subtle undertones of a Japanese movie produced in the afterglow of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that there was something else. I can't fucking wait.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
BBC: Free Quixotes big pull in Caracas
In todays Book news
The Venezuelan government is handing out a million copies to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication.
Populist President Hugo Chavez has urged Venezuelans to draw inspiration from the figure of Don Quixote.
The Venezuelan government is handing out a million copies to mark the 400th anniversary of its publication.
Populist President Hugo Chavez has urged Venezuelans to draw inspiration from the figure of Don Quixote.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Don't Fuck With Our Teachers Or Their Books!
a touch late but still timely, from Feb. '05
We understand that the Education Committee is presently considering a bill, SB 24, to adopt an "academic bill of rights" in higher education. Contrary to what the name suggests, the proposal would restrict, not enhance, academic freedom and intellectual activity.
Some useful background
The meaning and intent of the Academic Bill of Rights can only be understood properly through knowledge of its history and origins. The proposal is the brainchild of David Horowitz, a writer and activist who openly claims authorship, who argues that colleges and universities discriminate against "conservative" views and those who hold them. Thus, he and other proponents, such as the Students for Academic Freedom, present the ABoR as a way to promote "balance" in the teaching of controversial issues and counter any discrimination on the basis of viewpoint.
Horowitz and others contend that Democrats outnumber Republicans on some college faculties and that political affiliation of faculty members alone provides evidence for the alleged imbalance and discrimination. Even if they are correct, this suggests that the "solution" would be to replace Democrats with more Republicans, which means basing academic employment decisions on political affiliation. Turning academic appointments into political patronage jobs is not only anathema to educational goals, it is unconstitutional.
more at National Coalition Against Censorship
We understand that the Education Committee is presently considering a bill, SB 24, to adopt an "academic bill of rights" in higher education. Contrary to what the name suggests, the proposal would restrict, not enhance, academic freedom and intellectual activity.
Some useful background
The meaning and intent of the Academic Bill of Rights can only be understood properly through knowledge of its history and origins. The proposal is the brainchild of David Horowitz, a writer and activist who openly claims authorship, who argues that colleges and universities discriminate against "conservative" views and those who hold them. Thus, he and other proponents, such as the Students for Academic Freedom, present the ABoR as a way to promote "balance" in the teaching of controversial issues and counter any discrimination on the basis of viewpoint.
Horowitz and others contend that Democrats outnumber Republicans on some college faculties and that political affiliation of faculty members alone provides evidence for the alleged imbalance and discrimination. Even if they are correct, this suggests that the "solution" would be to replace Democrats with more Republicans, which means basing academic employment decisions on political affiliation. Turning academic appointments into political patronage jobs is not only anathema to educational goals, it is unconstitutional.
more at National Coalition Against Censorship
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
i have seen the light and have thrown away mmy toothbrush
Mini “light sabres” might one day replace the toothbrush in the ongoing battle against gum disease and tooth decay, as scientists are working on a new hand-held device that kills only the “bad” bacteria.
The researchers, from the Forsyth Institute in Boston, US, say that just 2 minutes of oral illumination with the new device every day should be enough to prevent, control or treat gum disease. The blue light emitted will be more effective at eradicating harmful bacteria than antiseptic mouthwash.
Thank you for doing somthing worth while in the continuing fight to have our teeth last as long as the rest of us.
The researchers, from the Forsyth Institute in Boston, US, say that just 2 minutes of oral illumination with the new device every day should be enough to prevent, control or treat gum disease. The blue light emitted will be more effective at eradicating harmful bacteria than antiseptic mouthwash.
Thank you for doing somthing worth while in the continuing fight to have our teeth last as long as the rest of us.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
The Natural Advantage of Nations - WorldChanging
A Newly Electric Green – Sustainable Energy, Resources and Design
Anyone interested in the practical details of building a bright green future needs to read this book. It's an absolutely critical overview of our progress towards sustainability thus far, 500+ information-packed pages on what's working best.
Intended by folks at the Natural Edge Project to be a sequel to Natural Capitalism [most of which you can read online, by the way], Natural Advantage does the best job I've yet seen of sweeping the vista of sustainability-related issues, with pragmatic examinations of best-practices in business and government; issue-wrangling essays on profitable green house solutions, greening the built environment and sustainable transportation; probing inquiries into the nature of major planetary problems -- the list goes on.
link via WorldChanging
Anyone interested in the practical details of building a bright green future needs to read this book. It's an absolutely critical overview of our progress towards sustainability thus far, 500+ information-packed pages on what's working best.
Intended by folks at the Natural Edge Project to be a sequel to Natural Capitalism [most of which you can read online, by the way], Natural Advantage does the best job I've yet seen of sweeping the vista of sustainability-related issues, with pragmatic examinations of best-practices in business and government; issue-wrangling essays on profitable green house solutions, greening the built environment and sustainable transportation; probing inquiries into the nature of major planetary problems -- the list goes on.
link via WorldChanging
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