we cover the blisters in flannel

Here's a review of a great new book by Christopher Lane - Shyness: How Normal Behaviour Became a Sickness.

The opening lyrics to Andrew Bird's, A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left:

Over prescribed / under the mister / we had survived to / turn on the history channel / and ask our esteemed panel / why are we alive / and here's how they replied / you're what happens when two substances collide / and by all accounts you really should've died

biofuel's dark side

The development and use, especially in Europe, of biofuel was seen as a great advance. Biofuels reduced our environmental footprint and seemed without sideffects. But things have changed for the fuel composed mostly of plants. Read here to see what its use has done to food stocks, prices, and its effect on the rainforest.

more on facebook

Here's an increadibly interesting article on the people behind facebook. This social-networking site is starting to look uglier than John C. Reilly. One day it'll be worse than an episode of Family Guy. Or an R.L. Stine book.

But sadly I'm still on our beloved facebook.

big pharma comedy

Bill Maher




Chris Rock

if this is leadership, who needs it?

Africa is burning, and if we want to put the fire out we'll have to start with its leaders. The presidents and prime ministers African states have appointed since colonialism have been some of the worst ever. They are at best incompotent and unfit to rule, and at worst corrupt, stealing from innocent people who deserve much better, and murderous, going as far as genocide in some cases.

One of the worst offenders has been Robert Mugabe, the dictator of Zimbabwe. Read this review of some new studies of Zimbabwe, the failed state, and the role Mugabe and his party have had in its slow death.

notes on facebook

Facebook is helping to alter our idea of privacy, according to this article from The Nation. I found this piece to be very interesting, and just a little scary. Perhaps we have become less discerning over who knows the previously private aspects of our lives, and how much they should know. The article suggests there are overwhelming pressures to become a part of the new culture: one of weakened inhibitions, and lowered guards. We are asked to open up and reveal as many things about ourselves as possible, and to an ever growing network of "friends". The article also suggests this is, in part at least, for business purposes. Companies need information to determine exactly what the people demand. So, they encourage this new culture of information dissemination, and use it to tailor their marketing to our supposed needs.

kenya

Is there yet another genocide in Africa? Some are calling the recent killings in Kenya over a disputed election just that. Read this news alert for details.