Progressology

"We have weapons of mass destruction we have to address here at home. Poverty is a weapon of mass..."

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:23:26 -0600

“We have weapons of mass destruction we have to address here at home. Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction. Homelessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Unemployment is a weapon of mass destruction.”

- Dennis Kucinich (via stevenebowman)

Dr. NakaMats

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:59:25 -0600

Dr. NakaMats

Guantánamo detainees released without charge

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:17 -0600

Guantánamo detainees released without charge

mikehudack: ilovecharts: How to pick a combination lock; Chart...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:04:24 -0600

mikehudack: ilovecharts: How to pick a combination lock; Chart style

mikehudack:caterpillarcowboy: heykurt: دار الخليــــج-أخبار...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:03:58 -0600

mikehudack:caterpillarcowboy: heykurt:

دار الخليــــج-أخبار الدار-المري: خدماتنا المتطورة تجسد تطور دبي

According to someone in our office, this article approximately translates as “Young American male wows audience of Emiratis with his American Black Magic.”

ambivalence: unconsumption: “The inefficiencies associated...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:03:15 -0600

ambivalence: unconsumption:

“The inefficiencies associated with electronics and appliances that still draw power even when not in use is well documented, but short of remembering to unplug these devices, there’s little else we can do to conserve energy. With his innovative outlet concept “Switch,” Korean designer Yong-jin Kim eliminates some of the hassle from the process, merging the power socket with a traditional switch.” Concept Outlet Design Saves Power Without Unplugging - PSFK

Just a reminder of how many different realities exist on this...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:42:00 -0600

Just a reminder of how many different realities exist on this planet.

thisrecording: from here

The CNC project is moving along slowly. I want to have the...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:37:00 -0600

The CNC project is moving along slowly. I want to have the stepper motors turning and one axis built by the end of the month. My friend Nik is working on the Z-Axis now and I’m going to try connecting one of the motors to the controller board.

shootingthewind via ache

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:29:54 -0600

shootingthewind via ache

"American education provides students with a technological, albeit sometimes redundant, edge...."

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:59:11 -0600

“American education provides students with a technological, albeit sometimes redundant, edge. Unfortunately, the wrong attributes are often emphasized for all the wrong reasons because there seems to be too much emphasis on form over content. Since various forms of technology are becoming microscopic and more powerful, we no longer need to concentrate on building mini-monuments to technology. We need to think more about design performance and what technology should do. At the same time, the world continues to globalize more rapidly in ways we can’t predict, which will eventually have a deeper cultural impact on the quality of judgment we make about our designs. If we’re not careful, we’ll become too insular to what’s most meaningful.”

- Gordon Bruce on modern design education.

(via sreikanth)

Deer in the headlights on Halloween in my last minute Recycle...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:27:02 -0600

Deer in the headlights on Halloween in my last minute Recycle Monster costume.

Plugs directly into the wall (120VAC) and its diffused with a...

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:07:47 -0600

Plugs directly into the wall (120VAC) and its diffused with a plastic bottle

A wheat farmer in Australia has eliminated adding fertilizer to...

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:02:00 -0600

A wheat farmer in Australia has eliminated adding fertilizer to his crop by the simple process of injecting the cooled diesel exhaust of his modified tractor into the ground when the wheat is being sown. In doing so he eliminates releasingcarbon into the atmosphere and at the same time saves himself up to $500,000 (AUD) that would have been required to fertilize his 3,900 hectares in the traditional way.

100 Best Professors Who Blog

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:43:27 -0600

taitran:

100 Best Professors Who Blog

General

These professors discuss anything and everything.

Tomorrow’s Professor: Get a look into what the future holds for professors from Tomorrow’s Professor.

The Thoughts of a Frumpy Professor: This professor shares thoughts of a small town, middle aged professor.

Terminal Degree: Terminal Degree writes about the tenure track.

Business

Visit these blogs to learn from business professors.

Professor Michael Roberto: Professor and author Michael Roberto blogs about leadership, decision making, and competitive strategy.

Tom Davenport: Check out Tom Davenport’s blog to get insight into information technology and management.

Billso: Learn about management, mobile computing, and information systems from Bill Sodeman.

Sustainable Business Design: Read this blog to look into the intersection of economic, social, and environmental interests.

MarketingProfs Daily Fix: This blog offers a daily dose of marketing education.

Deal Professor: Professor Davidoff discusses mergers and acquisitions on this blog.

Work Matters: Get a look into the links between managerial knowledge and action from Bob Sutton.

The Near Futurist: John Sviokla writes about the coming future of business.

Robert Salomon’s Blog: Robert Salomon is an associate professor of management at the Stern School of Business.

Managerial Econ: Check out this blog about economic analysis of business practice.

Yoko Ishikura: Yoko Ishikura offers a discussion on corporate strategy, competitiveness, and more.

Math & Science

These blogs are written by top math and science professors.

Nerdy Science Blog: Get nerdy about science on this blog.

Female Science Professor: This professor offers a glimpse into the life of a female science professor.

Bad Astronomy: Check out Bad Astronomy to learn from professor Phil Plait.

Sciencewomen: This scientist and engineer discuss the changes they want to see in science.

Impact Lab: The Impact Lab offers a look into the future of human experience.

EvolutionBlog: EvolutionBlog is about the dispute between evolution and creationism.

YoungFemaleScientist: Read about the life and work of a young female scientist on this blog.

Cosmic Variance: This group blog is all about physicists and astrophysicists.

Pharyngula: PZ Myers, a biologist, writes Pharyngula.

Medical Futility Blog: Thaddeus Pope writes about policy and developments in medical futility.

Dr. Wes: Westby G. Fisher discusses cardiology and internal medicine.

Neurotopia: Learn about neuroscience on Neurotopia.

Drug Monkey: These bloggers work as scientists in biomedical and basic science.

BrainBlog: On BrainBlog, you’ll read about the brain and behavior.

Ourboros: Ourboros discusses research in the biology of aging.

Professor Astronomy: Professor Astronomy will help you keep up with the latest in astronomy.

NeuroDojo: Train your brain with the NeuroDojo blog.

The Mind of Dr. Pion: Read ravings on physics, politics, education, monitoring, and more.

Janus Professor: Janus Professor writes about travels in a two-body life.

EagerEyes: Get a look into visualization and visual communications through this blog.

Science Musings Blog: You can learn about science musings on this blog.

The Blog Prof: The Blog Prof is an associate professor of engineering discussing politics, science, and more.

RealClimate: RealClimate is all about climate science.

Explorations in Science: Explore science with Dr. Michio Kaku, professor and popularizer of science.

Technology

With these blogs, you’ll be able to learn from technology professors.

Andrew McAfee: Andrew McAfee discusses the business impact of IT.

Shtetl-Optimized: Scott Aaronson’s blog discusses quantum computers and more.

Details of a Global Brain: Read this blog about interface, interaction, and information design.

Open IT Strategies: Joel West offers a look at the use of open-ness as a competitive strategy.

Knowing and Doing: Read Knowing and Doing to find the reflections of an academic and computer scientist.

Harga-Blog: Andrew Hargadon’s blog is a conversation about technology, design, and creativity.

Technology and Organizations: Read Terri Griffith’s blog to learn about technology and organizations.

Technology & Marketing Law Blog: Check out what Eric Goldman has to say about the laws of technology and marketing.

Law & Politics

Check out these blogs written by professors of politics and law.

ImmigrationProf Blog: These bloggers offer a law professor’s view on immigration.

TaxProf Blog: Paul Caron is a professor of tax law at the University of Cincinnati.

Patently-O: This blog offers a look into patent law.

Instapundit: Glenn Reynolds is a law professor, author, and more.

ProfessorBainbridge: Check out this blog to read about the life and work of a corporate law professor.

The Volokh Conspiracy: The Volokh Conspiracy offers a look into the US legal system and courts.

Concurring Opinions: Concurring Opinions discusses the law, universe, and more.

PoliBlog: Read about the master science of politics on PoliBlog.

The Faculty Lounge: On this blog, you’ll find conversations about law, culture, and academia.

Discourse: Discourse writes from the fringes of the public sphere.

The Hugh Hewitt Show: Hugh Hewitt discusses politics and current events.

Indisputably: On this blog, you’ll learn about negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.

History

Get a look into history from these professors’ blogs.

The Cranky Professor: This professor offers a cranky view on history.

PaleoJudaica: PaleoJudaica offers a look into historic Judaism.

Informed Comment: This president of the Global Americana Institute discusses thoughts on the Middle East, history, and religion.

Tenured Radical: Tenured Radical is a professor of history and American studies.

English Eclectic: English Eclectic offers perspectives from an English historian.

Scattered & Random: Scattered & Random writes about history, power, politics, teaching, and more.

The Little Professor: The Little Professor writes about things Victorian and academic.

Liberty & Power: This group blog offers historic insight from George Mason University professors.

Blogenspiel: This “Damned Medievalist” delivers her spiel on this blog.

Cliopatria: Follow this blog to learn about the past, present, and future.

Economics

Read these blogs about economics and finance written by economics professors.

Brad DeLong’s Semi-Daily Journal: You’ll find the semi daily musings of an economics professor from Berkeley on this blog.

The Transportationist: David Levinson’s blog is about networks, economics, and urban systems.

Financial Literacy and Ignorance: This blog considers how very little people know about personal finance.

Organizations and Markets: You can learn about organizations and markets from this group blog.

Infectious Greed: Paul Kedrosky writes about finance and the money culture.

Core Economics: Core Economics offers commentary on economics, strategy, and more.

ProfessorVC: You can learn about entrepreneurial finance from Steve Bennet.

FinanceProfessor: This finance professor reminds readers that finance is important and fun.

Greg Mankiw’s Blog: Greg Mankiw writes random observations for students of economics.

The Wages of Wins Journal: The Wages of Wins examines the economics of professional sports.

Angry Bear: Read economic commentary that’s slightly left of center on Angry Beat.

Economist’s View: Mark Thoma, an economist from University of Oregon, offers his view.

Carpe Diem: Professor Mark J. Perry writes this blog about economics and finance.

Marginal Revolution: This blog writes about small steps toward a better world.

Division of Labour: Read this blog to learn more about labor.

Arts, Liberal Arts & Social Science

Study the arts, literature, social science and more on these professors’ blogs.

Planned Obsolescence: Kathleen Fitzpatrick writes this blog about the disposable nature of goods.

Kieran Healy: Kieran Healy is interested in economic sociology organizations, and culture.

Prof. Dr. Lakshman Madurasinghe: Check out this blog to learn from a lawyer and consultant psychologist.

AKMA’s Random Thoughts: AKM Adam is a professor of the New Testament.

Maverick Philosopher: This blog offers a variety of footnotes on philosophy.

Prof. John Stackhouse’s Blog: Professor John Stackhouse offers a conversation on theology and Christianity.

Cronaca: Cronaca is about news in art, archaeology, and history.

The Chutry Experiment: Chuck Tryon, an assistant professor of film and media studies, writes this blog.

Social Science Statistics Blog: Find conversations about social science statistical methods and analysis on this blog.

Cognitive Daily: Cognitive Daily shares a new cognitive psychology article nearly every day.

Curious? Blog: Todd Kashdan’s blog will feed your curiosity.

Education

Read these blogs to learn about what’s happening in education.

Teaching Professor: The Teaching Professor works to educate, engage, and inspire.

Critical Mass: Erin O’Connor writes about the state of academia in America.

University Diaries: University Diaries is a description of university life from a professor of English who wants to change things.

Easily Distracted: Easily Distracted is all about culture, politics, academia, and more.

Dangerously Irrelevant: Dangerously Irrelevant is about thoughts on technology, leadership, and the future of schools.

How The University Works: Learn about the tuition gold rush from this blog.

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2009/10/12/100-best-professors-who-blog/

ambivalence:amberclemens:yerawizardharry: via...

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:29:05 -0600

ambivalence:amberclemens:yerawizardharry: via thesecretpostcards

thedailywhat: This Is Just Plain Wrong of the Day: A German...

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:52:49 -0600

thedailywhat: This Is Just Plain Wrong of the Day: A German company attaches mini aerial banners to the legs of flies as part of a cheap tradeshow stunt. [via.]

via moorewr: tristn: lefan, mercurypdx, Why network neutrality...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:51:54 -0600

via moorewr: tristn: lefan, mercurypdx, Why network neutrality is a big deal

I was talking politics/economics with a libertarian friend of...

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:31:33 -0600

I was talking politics/economics with a libertarian friend of mine and oddly enough I made the point that guns and drugs have become of currency of the world economy rather than gold bullion.

I’ve already sent him the link : )

I hope I’ve moved past ideology in my beliefs on how our civilization should operate — but to a large part I’ve been inspired by Buckminster Fuller’s Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth.

ledgergermane:

thedaytheytriedtokillme:

Brother of Afghan Leader Is Said to Be on C.I.A. Payroll

KABUL, Afghanistan — Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of the Afghan president and a suspected player in the country’s booming illegal opium trade, gets regular payments from the Central Intelligence Agency, and has for much of the past eight years, according to current and former American officials.

The ties to Mr. Karzai have created deep divisions within the Obama administration. The critics say the ties complicate America’s increasingly tense relationship with President Hamid Karzai, who has struggled to build sustained popularity among Afghans and has long been portrayed by the Taliban as an American puppet. The C.I.A.’s practices also suggest that the United States is not doing everything in its power to stamp out the lucrative Afghan drug trade, a major source of revenue for the Taliban.

More broadly, some American officials argue that the reliance on Ahmed Wali Karzai, the most powerful figure in a large area of southern Afghanistan where the Taliban insurgency is strongest, undermines the American push to develop an effective central government that can maintain law and order and eventually allow the United States to withdraw.

Other Western officials pointed to evidence that Ahmed Wali Karzai orchestrated the manufacture of hundreds of thousands of phony ballots for his brother’s re-election effort in August. He is also believed to have been responsible for setting up dozens of so-called ghost polling stations — existing only on paper — that were used to manufacture tens of thousands of phony ballots.

"You know, you should never weigh your options, as Dick Cheney says. You know the old expression,..."

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:23:20 -0600

“You know, you should never weigh your options, as Dick Cheney says. You know the old expression, “Shoot first and then check to see if it was one of your friends or a bird.””

- Jon Stewart, on Obama’s dithering. via alcaniglia think4yourself apsies via robot-heart-politics

Fight to allow weapons aboard Amtrak trains could derail transportation bill

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:13:37 -0600

Fight to allow weapons aboard Amtrak trains could derail transportation bill:

Seriously?

adrifting:

Gun-rights advocates in Congress are pressing appropriators to keep a provision that would let Amtrak passengers check in handguns with their baggage.
The provision, which calls for withholding $1.5 billion in Amtrak funding if the policy isn’t implemented before April, was inserted into the $68.8 billion Senate transportation and housing and urban development spending bill as an amendment. All 40 Republicans, 27 Democrats and one independent voted for the amendment, sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
“We don’t think we’ll be able to do that March 31 deadline, and, of course, finding the funding to make all of that happening,” said Amtrak spokesman Steve Kulm. Failing to meet that deadline and missing out $1.5 billion in appropriated funds, its entire funding request for 2010, would bring a “cessation of train service nationwide,” Amtrak Chairman Thomas Carper wrote to appropriators last month.
Kulm said that Amtrak trains and stations lack security systems seen at airports, baggage cars that are separate from passenger areas and a secure baggage loading area. Under its current policy, only law enforcement officers can bring guns onto its trains.

I’m sorry, but this is just absurd.

I don’t understand why we ever allowed guns on trains in the first place. Why would we want them? It would only create problems.