DYSPEPSIA GENERATION

We have seen the future, and it sucks.

Archive for August, 2009

Why Humans and Their Fur Parted Ways

15th August 2009

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Anyone who has encountered people with tattoos who ride motorcycles appreciates that this process hasn’t progressed far enough.

Posted in News You Can Use. | 1 Comment »

More Tyranny in Venezuela

15th August 2009

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My, what a surprise. Aren’t you surprised? I’m sure surprised.

It’s a funny thing: socialism always results in journalists being beaten with sticks, or worse. One might have expected this fact to dampen journalists’ enthusiasm for socialism.

Yeah, you would think.

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Stuff White People Like #128: Camping

14th August 2009

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If you find yourself trapped in the middle of the woods without electricity, running water, or a car you would likely describe that situation as a “nightmare” or “a worse case scenario like after plane crash or something.” White people refer to it as “camping.”

In theory camping should be a very inexpensive activity since you are literally sleeping on the ground. But as with everything in white culture, the more simple it appears the more expensive it actually is.

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Self-help in Harlem

14th August 2009

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After one of the primeval-scum robbers started pistol-whipping an employee of proprietor Charles Augusto, Jr., Mr. Augusto “rose from a chair 20 to 30 feet away and took out a loaded Winchester 12-gauge pump-action shotgun .. . and fired three blasts in rapid succession,” according to the New York Times.  Mr. Augusto had bought the rifle after being robbed 30 years ago.  “The first shot took down the gunman at the front,” who died almost immediately; the second two shots hit all three accomplices, who stumbled bleeding out of the store.  One died after having been taken to a local hospital (at whose expense?); the other two were picked up on the basis of their blood trail and witness descriptions and also treated at the hospital.

Posted in Is this a great country, or what? | Comments Off on Self-help in Harlem

Butchery classes: The joint is jumping

14th August 2009

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The Grassroots are Green, and They Fold

14th August 2009

Megan McArdle kicks some ass.

Have I mentioned recently that I hate PIRG?  Well, I hate PIRG with the kind of blackhearted distilled rage that normally characterizes the breakup of a thirty year marriage.  They, and their whole canvassing operation, are a vile beast that subsists on dishonor, greed, and the rapidly disintegrating idealism of impressionable young people.

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August 01, 2009 The Fantasies That Women’s Magazines Sell

14th August 2009

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In addition to the magazines, of course.

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Nuke-nobbler raygun 747 scores ‘surrogate’ test success

14th August 2009

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Hey, I didn’t pick the headline.

“This test demonstrates that the Airborne Laser can fully engage an in-flight missile,” said Boeing jumbo-blaster veep Michael Rinn. “Pointing and focusing a laser beam on a target that is rocketing skyward at thousands of miles per hour is no easy task, but the Airborne Laser is uniquely able to do the job.”

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Earliest fired knives improved stone age tool kit

13th August 2009

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Ah, but did they get a good severance package?

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Jesse Jackson named prince of African tribe

13th August 2009

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I must admit, his approach to politics is far more African than American.

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Mohammed is most popular boy’s name in four biggest Dutch cities

13th August 2009

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Eurabia is coming. Are you ready?

How about when “Mohammed” becomes the most popular boy’s name in Dearborn?

Posted in Living with Islam. | Comments Off on Mohammed is most popular boy’s name in four biggest Dutch cities

Bald penguin given wetsuit to prevent sunburn

13th August 2009

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We all know what a disaster a sunburned penguin would be. The PETA people would have a cow, not that there’s anything wrong with that.

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Extinct boobies return from the dead

13th August 2009

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No, they’re not talking about Democratic Senators.

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The Middle Eastern Passage

13th August 2009

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It’s important to remember that the bulk of the slave trade went in the opposite direction — from Africa to the Arabian peninsula. The Arabs have been enslaving Africans since prehistoric times, and the slave trade in Saudi Arabia wasn’t abolished until the 1960s. An underground traffic in slaves continues to this day, particularly in Mauritania and other countries in western and northern Africa.

Islam has no objection, either formal or informal, to slavery.

Posted in Living with Islam. | Comments Off on The Middle Eastern Passage

Apple wanes in the widget wars

13th August 2009

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A serious disappointment.

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Why humans can talk and chimps can’t

12th August 2009

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Tell the truth: Who would be interested in what a chimp has to say?

Oh — right — he won. I keep forgetting.

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World first historical thesaurus to be published after 45 years’ work

12th August 2009

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Seafood gave us the edge on the Neanderthals

12th August 2009

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So much for Dr Atkins.

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‘Intelligent’ bicycle of the future unveiled

12th August 2009

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A bike, with computer-like intelligence, which can never be stolen and has puncture-proof tyres could be in everyday use by 2029, says British Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman.

I suppose Olympic cyclists don’t mind getting mud all over them, which would explain the lack of fenders.

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It’s Not Too Late to Change His Mind

12th August 2009

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Arlen Specter was on the receiving end of a townhall again today. This video shows some of the action; it’s becoming a familiar scene. As Specter ruefully notes, hardly anyone at the event appears to be on board with the Democrats’ health care plans:….

Now that he’s come out of the closet as a Democrat, and more importantly as a slimy scum-sucking unprincipled power-whore, it’s fun to see his “natural criticism base” unleashed. Would that Senators Snow, Collins, Graham, Voinovich — and, yes, John McCain — would be served similarly.

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The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare

12th August 2009

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While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone:….

I’m sure that “eat more arugula” is in there somewhere, but I’m too lazy to look for it.

Posted in Think about it. | Comments Off on The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare

Crystal ball torches woman’s flat

12th August 2009

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Physics – it’s not just a good idea, it’s the law.

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Journalism, Civil Society and 21st Century Reportage

11th August 2009

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If print journalists want to claim that their saving grace is independent, investigative journalism, they might want to clean house a bit first, because a substantial amount of print journalism doesn’t really live up to that ideal. Getting fed information by a confidential source inside an Administration or inside a business who is using the reporter either to kick a rival in the teeth or as part of a coordinated scheme to float a trial balloon about a hypothetical decision is not independent investigative reporting. It’s a collusive agreement to serve as an unpaid assistant to the public-relations staff of a government or business. Calling a few experts on your Rolodex and plugging them into static paragraphs in an article that otherwise just processes the conventional wisdom of punditry is not independent investigative reporting.

Posted in Think about it. | Comments Off on Journalism, Civil Society and 21st Century Reportage

Is Shale Gas the Climate Bill’s New Bargaining Chip?

11th August 2009

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Natural gas from shale formations is the new magic phrase in the oil and gas industry, as new technologies have led to stunning increases in potential resources and anticipated profits.

Now, this is the New York Times, so it needs to be confirmed from a reliable source.

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Copyright Length And The Life Of Mickey Mouse

11th August 2009

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Last week, we reported on Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s statement that copyright law has become equal to the life of Mickey Mouse.

It would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic.

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Slapping the Camel’s Nose

11th August 2009

Megan McArdle kicks ass.

I was writing about my deeper opposition to the entire project of providing, paying for, or otherwise guaranteeing health care.  Since for most people on the left, this is akin to declaring that I would like to take up killing orphans in my spare time, I outlined why I think that this is morally correct even if you take the liberal set of initial values, and don’t place any moral weight on taxation or other coercive action by the state.  I have voiced my various practical objections to the particular options on the table at various moments.  But the main thing is that I don’t want to give the government a greater role in health care markets.  Nay, not even if all the other countries . . . well, all the cool countries, anyway . . . are doing it.  To the liberals proclaiming that, unlike those of us in the conservative or libertarian camps, they are practical people just seeking the best way to make us all better off, I say:  I think your utilitarian calculus is badly wrong.

Posted in Think about it. | Comments Off on Slapping the Camel’s Nose

TruFocals make steampunk glasses a functional, expensive reality

11th August 2009

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Posted in Is this a great country, or what? | Comments Off on TruFocals make steampunk glasses a functional, expensive reality

Obama’s Embrace of a Bush Tactic Riles Congress

11th August 2009

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Which of the many “Bush tactics” that Obama has embraced are we talking about here?

President Obama has issued signing statements claiming the authority to bypass dozens of provisions of bills enacted into law since he took office, provoking mounting criticism by lawmakers from both parties.

Why, how Bushitler of him. I’m shocked, I tell you, shocked.

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Rather than monitoring hate groups, the Southern Poverty Law Center has become one.

11th August 2009

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Shedding old light on archaeological artefacts

11th August 2009

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Also, read A World Lit Only By Fire.

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Man dies after being impaled on window glass after street row

11th August 2009

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Remember that the next time you watch one of those stupid action/adventure movies.

1. No, the CIA and the military don’t get the latest and greatest equipment. Typically their stuff is 20 years out of date, and was provided by the lowest bidder.

2. No, you can’t plunge through a plate glass window without getting cut all to shit. Ask an ER doctor if you don’t believe me.

3. No, not even Steven Segal can beat six armed opponents with bare hands. Don’t try this at home.

Posted in Think about it. | Comments Off on Man dies after being impaled on window glass after street row

James Bond ‘pure gold’ for MI6 recruitment

11th August 2009

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The image of Ian Fleming’s character has also been good for morale in the service, said Sir Colin McColl, who ran MI6 from 1989 to 1994.

They get James Bond, we get the Obama Apology Tour. *sigh*

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What is Real Freedom?

11th August 2009

Arnold Kling is always worth reading.

Consider the following definition of freedom: the absence of monopoly.

The absence of monopoly means that you can exercise exit, even if you cannot exercise voice. The presence of monopoly means that, at most, you can exercise voice.

Posted in Think about it. | Comments Off on What is Real Freedom?

Turning Skin Cells to Stem Cells, Without Cancer

10th August 2009

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Why Is Congress Paying $66 Million for a $49 Million Jet?

10th August 2009

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You know why.

Posted in Your tax dollars at work - and play. | Comments Off on Why Is Congress Paying $66 Million for a $49 Million Jet?

Virtual Reality Could Keep You From Being a Surgical Guinea Pig

10th August 2009

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I’ve been wondering when this was going to heat up.

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DNA computer solves logical problems, inches closer to practical use

10th August 2009

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Israeli seeks damages from EU over Hamas rocket attacks

10th August 2009

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Israeli and Belgian lawyers acting for Eyal Katorza, who is also a French citizen, are preparing a legal case demanding that the EU does more to protect the 300,000 Europeans living in Israel.

Legal documents, seen by The Daily Telegraph, have accused the EU of indirectly funding Palestinian terrorism because of a failure to “prevent the misuse of European funds by non-profit organisations which use these funds to finance terrorism”.

Pass the popcorn.

Posted in Dystopia Watch | 1 Comment »

Bone-anchored hearing aids filter out noise, finally ready for human implantation

10th August 2009

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Glass toaster

10th August 2009

Check it out.

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Our Unconstitutional Census

10th August 2009

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California could get nine House seats it doesn’t deserve because illegal aliens will be counted in 2010.

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Darwin at Work

10th August 2009

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A look at “salad bar” evolutionists.

A brief analysis of human social behavior would conclude that there is a strong selective pressure against pacifism, especially absolute and unconditional pacifism. Those social groups whose political institutions are based on pacifism will sooner or later be confronted and overcome by groups that observe no such restrictions on violence.

Neither great intelligence nor advanced technology is required to defeat a pacifist polity. Fists, cudgels, and knives are more than enough to put an end to a people that refuses to defend itself.

This isn’t rocket science. A few minutes’ application of basic logic leads inexorably to this conclusion. So why does pacifism as a political ideal continue to enjoy such a pervasive vogue amongst left-leaning literati in all Western societies?

The obvious explanation is that pacifism — like all the other destructive ideologies of the Left — is nurtured under the roof of Western military might. Pacifists are free to dispense their noxious fumes because they are hothouse flowers, and would be unable to survive as a political movement in the cold world outside.

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Michigan crowd vents health care fury

10th August 2009

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“You’re a fraud, you have not read the bill,” screamed Mike Sola, who got directly in the lawmaker’s face in furious confrontation, wheeling his 36-year-old son, Scott, who has cerebral palsy, directly to the podium before police stepped in and encouraged the Milan, Mich., man to leave. He asserted that the bill would not help his disabled child.

“Fascist America,” Mr. Sola screamed on his way out.

Pass the popcorn.

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Pet cat eaten by 13ft python

9th August 2009

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Let that be a lesson to us all.

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Ambulance staff use Google to identify snake used in teen attack

9th August 2009

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You can find anything on the Internet.

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Surgeons carry out Britain’s first eyelash transplant

9th August 2009

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I am not making this up.

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Paraglider killed in mid-air collision

9th August 2009

Darwin Award.

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Iconic Beatles zebra crossing faces axe

9th August 2009

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The zebra crossing which featured on the cover of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album should be removed because fans are causing too many accidents, politicians have claimed.

Whoa, this is a valuable national resource–dimwitted fans ought to be encouraged to use it so as to remove their defective genes from the gene pool. Politicians never think things through.

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Tomb search could end riddle of Shakespeare’s true identity

9th August 2009

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Although not, of course, the question of who actually wrote his plays.

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Robots To Cause Mass Unemployment Of Low IQ Workers

9th August 2009

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Indeed, it’s already happening. Remember: Except for Lake Woebegone, half of the population is below average, by definition.

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