Evolutionary Biology No Longer an Acceptable Field of Study to Federal Government
Evolutionary biology has recently been removed from a list of fields of study approved by the government for federal financial aid to low income college students.
Spokepeople for the Dept. of Education claim the omission is a mistake and that it will be returned to the list, (which still has yet to happen) and many scientists and other supporters of the study of evolution feel that this is another example of the government trying to undercut science in favor of a more strict creationist approach to education.
"One of them, Lawrence M. Krauss, a physicist at Case Western Reserve University, said he learned about [the omission] from someone at the Department of Education, who got in touch with him after his essay on the necessity of teaching evolution appeared in The New York Times on Aug. 15. Dr. Krauss would not name his source, who he said was concerned about being publicly identified as having drawn attention to the matter."
Taken from the NYTimes
posted by marcus farage at 18:31
Quote of the Day
"The chairman of the [Kansas State] school board, Dr. Steve Abrams, a veterinarian, is not merely a strict creationist. He has openly stated that he believes that God created the universe 6,500 years ago, although he was quoted in The New York Times this month as saying that his personal faith “doesn’t have anything to do with science.”
“I can separate them,” he continued, adding, “My personal views of Scripture have no room in the science classroom.”
A key concern should not be whether Dr. Abrams’s religious views have a place in the classroom, but rather how someone whose religious views require a denial of essentially all modern scientific knowledge can be chairman of a state school board.
The battle is not against faith, but against ignorance. "
-from the new york times article, "
How to Make Sure Children Are Scientifically Illiterate." Lawrence M. Krauss is a professor of physics and astronomy at Case Western Reserve University.
posted by carlito sway at 10:07
Belu Water Co.
This is fascinating little company: Ive chosen to notate their existance because of two, rather interesting developments in their business strategy. Although ive known about them being a pro-people company, devoting profits to outfitting poorer towns with potable water sources- their newest site rebuild shows off their newest product, a compostable cornstarch bottle and it recommends a foreign company on a similar premise.
Innocent Drinks- a smoothie company emploring 100% natural products, sourced ethically and packaged in ecologically sound methods, soon to be cornstarch- has nothing to do with Belu, fiscally speaking, but they do share many of the same goals and principles. The importance lies within the idea of a coalition; organize and support each other, instead of our predominant "every man for himself" method (which has gotten us to our current state of hurricane torn cities, and heat-waves at an pandemic level). Similar organizational hand-shaking can be seen across fair trade co-ops, coffee bean growers co-ops and even local health / natural foods outlets: working together is just plain more effective. Organization for a common good is a burgeoning theme in our New Society.
Embrace it, as it embraces you; well all be better for it.
http://www.belu.orghttp://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk
posted by carlito sway at 10:26
Sensual Lines, Heavy Price Tag.
the line between luxury and quality have become increasingly blurred as the consumerist world rips ahead at the speed of commerce. compounding this are the heavyweights of the luxury world taking advantage of their reputation, selling less-than-quality goods under the auspices of "designer" or "high-end."
interestingly- and perhaps sadly, nowadays- these two terms are not corollary. scandinavian design is known both for its quality and longevity and simultaneus affordability. yet try as they might, any t shirt that says louis vuitton, or gucci or versace is still just a t shirt. and a t shirt that was "cost-effectively" produced with turkish cotton in banglasdesh, for the same cost of a t shirt destined for Gap, Target or H&M.
pictured are the concept sketches of the Pagani Zonda, the archetypal Super Car. designed by ex-lamborghini, the car sets the bar for a new level of pure luxury. only twenty five are produced a year. each newest edition (about 1 every 1.5 years) re-sets the land speed record(s). each one starts at about the cost of a house.
at some point, level of quality (especially due to complexity) outweighs its inherrant sustainability. if you by a quality set of, say, cups that last 30 years, these are probobly fairly easy (or easier) on the environment, requiring little replacement cost. now imagine the exotic amounts of energy, maintanance needs and constant refueling / re-tiring needed for the Zonda. lets just say that im waiting for the day that a car like the Zonda, powered like the Tesla Roadster and built like a Xerox machine (they are completely reclaimable and reusable) will hit the streets. maintain its quality, maintain is superior handling, yet delete its impact making it instead beneficial to its- and our- surroundings.
then we will truly have a "Super Car."
posted by carlito sway at 09:25
Word of the Day
Coulrophobia:
fear of clowns.bestival, one of the larger festivals to happen in the greater UK each year, had intended to theme this one "circus"- as each year, the crowd is asked to dress differently. apparently, this years theme had to changed to "anything you want" as an outpouring of complaints came in. apparently, that word is more common to english people than you think.
posted by carlito sway at 09:13
