I enjoy social media, politics, technology, religion, and sports. I spend a lot of time on social media sites -- it's where I get my news and learn. http://arstechnica.com and http://weburbanist.com are my favorite sources.
Psychic Nearly Destroys Family Posted: 5 months ago by JDRucker
Many people go to psychics for a handful of typical reasons. They want to know if they will get their dream job soon, or make a big move, or end up with the hunky new guy who seems shy but might just be The One.
Comments: 1 Score: [-] -2 [+].
Why MPG is a Stupid Measurement Posted: 5 months ago by JDRucker
We tend to have bad measurement systems here in the US. We've got a temperature scale where water freezes at 32 degrees and boils at 212 (it's zero and 100 for the rest of the world.) And none of our measurements are compatible with our base10 numbering system. Twelve inches in a foot? 5280 feet in a mile? I mean...come on...
Comments: 4 Score: [-] 14 [+].
How Jungle Rot Could Power the Future Posted: 5 months ago by JDRucker
The genetics of "jungle rot" may hold the key to more economical biofuel in the near future.
Comments: 2 Score: [-] 16 [+].
ID, please: Bill would mandate carding for M-rated game buys Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
A new bill hopes to criminalize the sale of M-rated games to minors by forcing retailers to check ID for M-rated game purchases. Like every attempt before it, this, too, will end in failure.
Comments: 9 Score: [-] 151 [+].
U.N. sees world climate change deal in 2009 Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
The world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up their momentum, the head of the United Nations climate panel said on Sunday.
Comments: 3 Score: [-] 11 [+].
Republicans Crossing Over to Vote in Democratic Contests Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
“I used to like John McCain, but he’s aligning himself too closely with what Bush did, and that’s just not what I want for this country,” Mrs. Morgan, who is 56, said when asked to explain her rejection of the presumptive Republican nominee.
Comments: 7 Score: [-] 49 [+].
America’s most venerable newspapers face extinction unless they evolve Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
Pick almost any American newspaper company and you can tell a similar story. The ABC reported that for the 530 biggest dailies, average circulation in the past six months was 3.6% lower than in the same period a year earlier.
Comments: 0 Score: [-] 26 [+].
"Hypermiling" drives savings as fuel costs soar Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
Known as 'hypermiling,' the method can double gas mileage, even in gas-guzzling vehicles that would normally get less than 20 mpg.
Comments: 6 Score: [-] 26 [+].
Fluidhand Prosthetic Makes Us Think of Darth and Luke Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
This prosthetic hand, inspired, I kid you not by spiders' legs, has scored highly in tests. Currently a prototype, Fluidhand is battery-powered, with five electric motors—one in each finger.
Comments: 0 Score: [-] 18 [+].
Busted, Yet FoxNews Continues Pentagon's Covert Propaganda Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
On Sunday, a week after the Times story broke, Fox was still airing -- without disclosure -- exposed pundit Thomas McInerney. Last Wednesday, they aired another pundit, Robert H. Scales. See them for yourself:
Comments: 3 Score: [-] 28 [+].
Dating in 140 Characters or Less Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
“Did you get her number?” I asked.
“No, but I got her Twitter. That’s even better!” he replied.
Wow. What a world we live in.
Comments: 2 Score: [-] -4 [+].
As we pay $4/gal, Exxon On Tap For 30% Earnings Boost Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
Exxon Mobil's profit is expected to jump as much as 30% when it reports its first-quarter earnings next week as the oil giant joins the crowded stage of $120 oil, U.S. retail gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon and flare-ups in the geopolitical scene from Nigeria to the Persian Gulf.
Comments: 30 Score: [-] 192 [+].
The Making of 5 Modern Marvels of Engineering: Construction Truths Behind Contemporary Wonders Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
Even today modern wonders of engineering like the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge inspire awe (and songs and works of art). A quick look at their origins, however, can turn awe to amazement and astonishment.
Comments: 1 Score: [-] 59 [+].
New Galaxy Images Released for Hubble's 18th Birthday Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
NASA has released 59 new high-resolution images of galaxies colliding across the universe to mark the Hubble Space Telescope's 18th birthday.
Comments: 0 Score: [-] 123 [+].
Rising Sea Levels Threaten Egypt's Ancient Cities Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
They predict that rural towns and urban areas along Egypt's northern coast will be flooded, turning millions of people into environmental refugees and threatening some of the country's ancient landmarks.
Comments: 0 Score: [-] 66 [+].
McCain: Cutting taxes more important than balanced budget Posted: 7 months ago by JDRucker
Republican John McCain said Sunday that cutting taxes and stimulating the economy are more important than balancing the budget, and accused both Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama of supporting tax hikes that would worsen the impact of a recession.
Comments: 3 Score: [-] -13 [+].
Scientists: 99.7% Chance Big Earthquake Hits Cali. by 2037 Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, scientists said Monday in the first statewide temblor forecast. New calculations reveal there is a 99.7 percent chance a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger will strike in the next 30 years.
Comments: 6 Score: [-] 141 [+].
New Zealand's Maori rediscover themselves in tattoos Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
With a little ink, some stinging pain and a helping hand from the ancestors, Mark Kopua can heal a wounded soul.
Comments: 0 Score: [-] 113 [+].
Amazingly Well-Researched Star Trek Trivia Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
Now, I’m as much of a Trek fan as the next guy (TNG rules, thank you very much), but this site represents some seriously impressive fan research.
Comments: 3 Score: [-] -4 [+].
Supreme Court to consider death penalty for child rape Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
The U.S. Supreme Court this week hears arguments about whether the death penalty can be imposed for child rape, taking up for the first time in more than 30 years whether a crime other than murder can be punished by execution.
Comments: 18 Score: [-] 136 [+].
Pope won't break bread with Bush Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
The White House has scheduled a dinner next week in honor of Pope Benedict VXI's first visit to the United States, but one guest will be conspicuously absent from the proceedings: The Pope himself.
Comments: 9 Score: [-] 223 [+].
Scientists Flesh Out Plans to Grow (And Sell) Test Tube Meat Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
In five to 10 years, supermarkets might have some new products in the meat counter: packs of vat-grown meat that are cheaper to produce than livestock and have less impact on the environment.
Comments: 20 Score: [-] 151 [+].
Can prehistoric mammoths now be cloned? Posted: 8 months ago by JDRucker
Some experts hope that the perfect condition in which the body of the mammoth was found could allow extricate intact DNA from his cells, and, as a result, clone the animal in future.
Comments: 4 Score: [-] 76 [+].