Leora the Sane

Archive for Link dump

Link dump for July 5th, 2009 through August 7th, 2009:

I'll die before the endgame, says Terry Pratchett - This is a hard one to read, but I agree with him wholeheartedly. The rightto die, and die with dignity, is one we should deny to no one.
"I am enjoying my life to the full, and hope to continue for quite some time. But I also intend, before the endgame looms, to die sitting in a chair in my own garden with a glass of brandy in my hand and Thomas Tallis on the iPod - the latter because Thomas's music could lift even an atheist a little bit closer to Heaven - and perhaps a second brandy if there is time.
Oh, and since this is England I had better add: 'If wet, in the library.'
Who could say that is bad? Where is the evil here?"
The Incredible Century-Old Color Photography of Prokudin-Gorsky | Quazen - Gorgeous photos using an innovative color process, kne hundred years ago. Thanks to my darling wife for the link.
The blue and the green - Fascinating optical illusion. I love the way our brains can totally fool us.

Coleman concedes Senate race; Pawlenty to sign certificate | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ - Coleman concedes! Woohoo! Finally, we can be fully represented. I may not think Franken will be a perfect senator (who could be, in this day an age?), but at least he is a senator.

June 30, 2009 at 5:05 pm | Tags: politics | Category: Link dump | Leave a comment

Link dump for June 12th, 2009 through June 30th, 2009:

Senate recount: After unanimous ruling for Franken, attention shifts to Pawlenty — and Coleman - Finally, a ruling. But no real resolution, since the supremes didn't actually tell Pawlenty to issue the certificate. Oh well… We've waited this long, right?
Grilled Cheesecake: A Sweet Take on a Classic Sandwich - Or, as I'd like to think of it, a heart-attack sandwich. Of course, I'd also like to think of it as delicious. But I would never have more than one bite.
Ten Movies to Watch Instead of Star Trek - "…check out some movies that tackled science fiction just as well as the new Trek (and often better)."
A good list of flicks that I would definitely prefer to watch instead of the new Trek. I know I'm in the minority amongst my friends as far as that goes (and probably the only one who hasn't seen it so far). But there you go. At least it's snark you can laugh along to.

Link dump for April 29th, 2009 through June 10th, 2009:

Coaxing bees into making honeycomb sculpture - I'm not sure how I feel about this ethically (actually, I'm pretty conflicted about this ethically), but it is gorgeous. If you could convince me that the pieces were constructed without harming the bees, I would say this was an amazing cross-species collaboration.
Medusa as a Young Girl - I think it would be fun to have pets on my head!
Bachmann compares gays to pedophiles on hate crimes bill - Argh! This woman just makes me so mad sometimes: “[A]pparently people who are practicing pedophiles would be considered protected under this legislation, but not, I understand, veterans, not, I understand, pregnant women, not, I understand, 85-year-old grandmothers would be protected under this law,” she said. “But who would be protected? A pedophile, someone who considers themselves gay, someone who considers themselves transgender, someone who considers themselves a cross-dresser? That is who is protected.”

Link dump for April 26th, 2009 through April 29th, 2009:

Let’s Hear It for the Bees - An illuminating column about Honeybees and circadian rhythms. "Honeybees really are nature’s little treasures."
Magic and the Brain: Teller Reveals the Neuroscience of Illusion - Absolutely brilliant.
"Every time you perform a magic trick, you're engaging in experimental psychology," Teller says. "If the audience asks, 'How the hell did he do that?' then the experiment was successful. I've exploited the efficiencies of your mind."
Cure For Honey Bee Colony Collapse? -