Separation of Mind and State

Nov 212011
 
 November 21, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: , ,
Separation of Mind and State

Despots and dictators, get excited. Finally, first world countries are helping you out a bit. For so many years, you had to live with just standard torture methods. And while they’re great for extracting confessions, there’s something missing… There’s nothing quite like being able to really prove that your prisoners are trying to overthrow your regime. I mean peace loving power stabilization machine. But fear not, the day you’ve all been waiting for is almost here! From ripping a person open to using X-Rays and giant magnets, there are a number of ways to find out what is going on in somebody’s head. It’s recently been shown, however, that it is possible to get a glimpse of what is going on in their mind. Scientists at a number of institutions More…

The Dark Knight Rises…in Seattle

Nov 072011
 
 November 7, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: , ,
The Dark Knight Rises…in Seattle

Fans of masked heroes will be thrilled to know that vigilante justice is not unique to Gotham City.  According to a recent Reuter’s article, Seattle’s very own Phoenix Jones has been unmasked. Phoenix, whose real name is Benjamin Fodor, was recently arrested for assault after pepper-spraying patrons of a local night club because he suspected that they were involved in a street brawl.  When the police arrived, Fodor was being attacked by an angry woman with her shoes.   The Seattle police have not charged Fodor, and he vows to return to vigilante work.

#OccupyWallStreet (TM)

Oct 312011
 
 October 31, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
#OccupyWallStreet (TM)

If it existed, I would imagine that official Occupy Wall Street merchandise would be the new I <3 NY – at least for a while. Everyone would have to have a t-shirt or a mug – the protesters, tourists and the people who stand in solidarity with the protesters because it’s always trendy to be anti-establishment. But doesn’t it seem strange that someone would be able to profit off of a movement started because of unfair moneymaking games? Some people have sold merchandise online for the purpose of raising money for the movement. But one Long Island couple paid almost $1,000 to file a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last week for the phrase “Occupy Wall St” for their own business purposes. Additionally, Fer-Eng Investments, LCC More…

Should College Athletes Be Paid?

Oct 302011
 
 October 30, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
Should College Athletes Be Paid?

I love college sports. I love the energy, the passion, and the live-or-die association from the fans. I love the team oriented approach, the strategies, and the varieties of styles. I love the rivalries, the traditions, and the idea that these athletes are just students like us doing what they love. Actually, I just came back from Tobacco Roadhouse Sports Bar and concluded a full day of college football, and it was nothing short of glorious (minus the devastating Duke loss).

Nudity is Okay…Only after Dark

Oct 252011
 
 October 25, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
Nudity is Okay…Only after Dark

According to a recent Reuter’s article, a New York artist was arrested on lewdness and indecent exposure charges for painting (on) a nude model in the middle of Times Square.  His lawyer argued that that public nudity is acceptable in the name of art, and as a result, an interesting compromise has been reached. Charges against Mr. Andy Golub (the artist) will be dropped if he agrees to: Only paint bare breasts during the day. Instruct the model to keep her g-string on until after dark. Not violate conditions 1 or 2 for the next 6 months. This contract raises two interesting questions.

A thieving church and amnesty that amounts to impunity

Oct 252011
 
 October 25, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with:
A thieving church and amnesty that amounts to impunity

“Son, I am sorry that I had to wait until the hour of my death to tell you the truth, I wish I had had the courage to reveal it to you earlier. I am not your biological father! I bought you from hospital X when you were Y days old!” Imagine being told that by the man you have known all your life as your dad. It would be heartbreaking, to say the least. This is exactly the situation that two men in their forties, Juan Luis Moreno and Antonio Barroso, found themselves confronting earlier this year in Spain as recounted by this BBC article. All their lives, they had lived a lie; believing that the parents they lived with were their biological parents. Their situation is not unique More…

The Ugly Truth

Oct 212011
 
 October 21, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
The Ugly Truth

If you could receive a pay raise worth hundreds of thousands of dollars by declaring yourself “ugly,” would you do it? Some people would. Maybe they should; that is, maybe their looks really are costing them job opportunities, promotions, sales, trials, or a better deal on their mortgage (see this New York Times op-ed to read more). Studies over the past twenty years demonstrate that the attractively challenged have a valid argument.

Permissible Plagiarism?

Oct 192011
 
 October 19, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: , ,
Permissible Plagiarism?

Recently, I’ve read numerous reports of artists who have offended their fans and contemporaries with arguably the most heinous crime an artist can commit. Usher, Bob Dylan, and Beyoncé have all been called plagiarists. The New York Times reports that critics have noted that some of Bob Dylan’s paintings in New York’s Gagosian Gallery seem to bear striking resemblances to others’ photographs. Take a look at his work, “Opium” above and Leon Busy’s “Woman Smoking Opium.” Usher is contesting claims that his 2004 hit “Burn” gained a bit too much of its influence from songwriter Eric Lee Straughter’s “The Reasons Why.” My apparently musically underdeveloped ears could not sense significant similarities between the two songs, but Usher may have to testify before a jury to defend his originality. Similarities between More…

Beyond the ivory tower

Oct 142011
 
 October 14, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
Beyond the ivory tower

At Syracuse University, the line between a public and private institution has become blurry. Earlier this month, The Chronicle of Higher Education analyzed the chancellorship of Nancy Cantor, who has pushed the university’s benefits past the campus’ walls and into the town of Syracuse. At the university’s expense, it has embarked on many city projects such as refurbishing public areas and offering tuition to local high school graduates under Cantor’s tenure. Although she has encouraged faculty members to focus their research on the town of Syracuse, some professors have blamed Cantor for SU’s sliding reputation and budgetary shortfalls.

F for Fat

Oct 062011
 
 October 6, 2011  Posted by  Tagged with: ,
F for Fat

Math? A. Reading? B+. Writing? B-. Science? A-. Physical Education? Pass. BMI? What?! Yes, this is now what a typical report card looks like in Malaysia.  According to a BBC news article, the Malaysian government has mandated schools to record students’ BMI on their report cards as an effort in the national campaign against obesity.  Teachers are now required to measure the height and weight of their students. Although the government claims that this is merely an effort to make parents more aware of their children’s weight and to help them monitor their health, it has stirred up quite the controversy in the West.  Anyone who has ever hid a report card from a parent knows why—fear and shame. To learn about the policy, click on this video (after the More…

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