A Different Approach to Global Warming

What if action on global warming focused on something other than CO2. What if it was more effective? A new study investigates how we could reduce warming by concentrating on methane and carbon black (soot).

On Goldilocks and Climate Change

So are we cooking under greenhouse gasses or on the verge of a new ice age? Or mightn't it be both?

Aviation Photo Contest

Aviation Week and Space Technology is having its annual photo contest.  

Reader's choice - Defense (click for contest finalists)                                                     

Turn And Burn by Michael_Johnson

An F-15C of the 65th Aggressor Squadron turns and burns as the pilot attempts to evade an F-22A Raptor. Credit: Jamie Hunter, Woking, Surrey, England.

 Best of the Best has a Canadian Perspective (click for artist's work)

Jason Pineau, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter rests under a thin band of aurora borealis on Point Lake, Northwest Territories.

American Finances Made Simple

Don't enjoy too much schadenfreude. Canada is only half as bad (though we are far better when it comes to new debt).

National Geographic Photos 2011

"Jellyfish Cotylorhiza tuberculata drifting just beneath the surface looking for capturing the first sunrays to trigger their symbiotic algae to produce energy for it."

And that's just honorable mention.

Would You Rather be Pretty or Hot?

I know the answer pushed by MTV or the average Axe commercial. I wonder though, is that the girl's best interest.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Job prospects are poor these days and the economic fundamentals don't look to improve. Here are some bright spots (US data). Here are some impostors.

If you are hoping that an education might help, the answer is maybe. Here is how the subject you studied correlates to salaries and employment rates.

World Ends in 2012?

A plausible explanation

Emotional Intelligence for Aspergerites

The problem: how to show the sympathy and empathy that leads to great social interactions when the fact is, hell! you're not all that sympathetic.

Space Shuttle Atlantis's Final Descent

As seen from above.
Plus algae blooms, ice swirls, moonrises and a volcano shooting right at you.

Speaking of Mental Health

Are we training ourselves to be distracted, superficial thinkers?

Do You Know Someone Worried About Alzheimer's

It turns out that Alzheimer's disease looks a lot like vitamin B12 deficiency...and the test for B12 deficiency is expensive ($100 or so) so it is not done that routinely.

Refraction: It's Also Fun and Games

 

Update: The photos linked have been removed

What is Education Good For?

Do you get an education to learn things or to prove that you can learn things?

Imagine creative ideas, execution and timing

Rube  Goldberg would be proud.

Is classroom drama stressful?

Army Physicians and Berkley researchers say that REM sleep (aka dreaming) takes the edge off painful events. If days are rough, it may be that nothing helps like a good sleep.


The fourth commenter points out a possible frustration. For people who have trouble sleeping: the harder they try to sleep, the harder it is to sleep. If this is you,

Electronics Site

This looks like a good site for electronics projects and education.

Space Tourism

Have you ever wanted to go to space...just so you could look down at earth? Did you imagine it would look quite like this? You're welcome.

What We Did to the Occupy Generation

My generation loves to complain about what the baby boom generation did to us (and will do to everyone else). It's all true.

But that still makes us the second most privileged generation in history. And it's not like we did much to reverse the trends. What's more, we added ruinations of our own.

Is it Science? Or is it Pseudoscience?

Matt Ridley looks at science, pseudoscience and how we tell the difference. It turns out experts are not very good at it. There is also an extended detour looking at climate change.

The speech is so good, I need to link to his book, The Rational Optimist.