bitchin' ... somehow all the books crashing to the floor at the end was the most profound/prophetic bit.

The AGVN slams Sega's 32X as "one of the biggest failures of all time." While I agree, it is possible that the collapse of the bronze age and the ensuing dark ages or, more recently, not preventing the rise of Hitler may be in the running for 'biggest failures of all time' too.

Drugs, prostitution, gambling and, well, our thing... these are relatively recession proof lines of work. --Tony Soprano

I think the overarching point of limited resource availability mentioned at the beginning of the report will lower economic tides for all nations. Unless alternative energy technologies are improved and utilized, we will see increased competition for resources. A best case scenario would lead to enhanced cooperation among nations; worst case, widespread war, especially in oil rich and water poor regions. Either case does not leave much room for a hegemonic superpower.

*beg for the sake of floating toolbags and other space junk

Thanks LD, it's a happy clear sunny day here in SF, i could use a little spook to keep things even.

Science isn't cruel but it is indifferent. For example, dT/dt = K*dT/dx^2 where T is temperature, K is thermal diffusivity and x is skin thickness. A back-of-the-envelope dimensionalization and a skin diffusivity somewhere between water and nylon gives time = (distance^2)/K. Therefore those sorry fools can walk for t=(2*10^-3 m)^2/(10^-6 m^2 s^-1) or about 4 seconds before they feel it. However, a firewalker who invokes a force field probably has a better chance of getting laid then a scientist who invokes the thermal diffusivity equation.

Absolutely stunning, tre magnifique.

This is NOT science. There are no testable/falsifiable hypothesis presented here. Luckily the science channel, by its very nature, can feel no shame or embarrassment.

perfect monday song

... and not soon enough. What's this guys haphazard modus operandi aside from being an opportunistic sycophant.

If I was a soldier that would make my day, but I would become all sorts of superstitious about it.

It's gotta be canada. They made the robotic arm for the international spacestation. Obviously they've cornered the market on robot arms.

*promote

God the Pacific Northwest is beautiful. I need to move back there someday.