What’s wrong with science journalism.
A lot: see Don’t dumb me down, the latest installment of the Guardian’s weekly “Bad Science” column.
Five days with Katrina.
A guy named Alvaro has posted an amazing series of 197 photos showing New Orleans before, during, and after the hurricane.
“You” are not “yourself.”
A computer scientist looks at the brain: “You” are just a subroutine, and a recently-added one at that. You’re like a user-mode driver that gets access to certain kernel data, but you only see and control what the kernel lets you. You have no direct access to the kernel’s process space, but you can
New Orleans stories.
Unbelievable stories of indifference and brutality on the part of so-called rescuers and emergency personnel: Hurricane Katrina — Our Experiences (EMS Network, also cited in Daily Kos) Photojournalists Covering Katrina Fall Victim to Growing Violence, Chaos (National Press Photographers’ Ass’n) Plus
Disaster survival tips.
Disaster survival tips from Andreas Ramos. How to Recharge Your Cellphone with Common Batteries 1) Turn off your cellphone. Reserve battery power as much as possible. Turn down screen brightness, turn off vibrate, turn down sound. 2) To recharge a cellphone with ordinary batteries, cut the power sup
1 min read
Technology and disaster management.
One of the big problems in the New Orleans area right now–perhaps the biggest problem–is figuring out what needs doing, and how to do it. Even with accurate information, relief agencies like FEMA and the Red Cross are clearly having difficulty synthesizing that data, formulating a plan, and followin
1 min read
Propagating the species.
California’s State Senate passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages yesterday. Opposing state Senator Tom McClintock objected, saying that “Marriage is the institution by which we propagate our species and inculcate our young.” Hmm. Actually, sex is how we propagate our species, and education is h
Horror in New Orleans.
Like everyone, I feel shock, horror, and awful fascination as I watch the news stories and photos of the disaster in New Orleans and Mississippi. But the situation also makes me angry—incredibly angry—at the federal government, whose incompetence and obliviousness to the whole situation seems increa
2 min read
RIM BlackBerry 7100g
Disconnecting for the weekend? Forget about it — your neurotic urge to stay online won’t let you. And besides, your inbox is a cruel mistress. But the Treo 650 costs too much, and, frankly, you spend more time reading e-mail and web pages than writing. Meet your new phone: The BlackBerry 7100g, whic
1 min read
JVC GR-D295u
Judging by its name, you’d think the JVC GR-D295u was a futuristic cambot with a remorseless drive to destroy all living beings. In fact, the GR-D295u is more like the guy who hangs out on the last bar stool next to the door, nursing a Schlitz: friendly, easy to like, and a bit clumsy. That’s […]
1 min read