Feb
23
BlogWritings, musings and generally lighthearted banter
Feb
23
shortformblog: theatlantic: Virginia Lawmakers Drop Invasive…
Virginia Lawmakers Drop Invasive Ultrasound Requirement From Abortion Bill
After an understandable uproar over a mandatory procedure that federal law would consider rape, Virginia legislators have opted to forgo the invasive and most definitely uncomfortable procedure for women seeking abortions. On top of a big invasion of privacy for all women, the legislation could have re-traumatized women who sought abortions because of rapes. A meeting last night led legislators to reconsider the vagina wand provision, reaching a compromise that would make the procedure voluntary, but not mandatory, reports The Washington Post. We’re not sure what woman might choose to have an ultrasound used in this way, but, now they get a choice. And with that, the never-ending reproduction debates continue.
A victory for activists in the latest round of the culture wars.
Feb
22
imwithkanye: The Unfolding Drama | Vanity Fair [all the…
The Unfolding Drama | Vanity Fair [all the covers]
Krista Smith reflects on the history of the magazine’s ”Hollywood Issue”. There are few fun moments: For the first cover, “Annie Leibovitz arranged 10 young actresses in a row, all dressed in designer lingerie of their choice—except for an up-and-comer named Gwyneth Paltrow, who wore a ball gown.” Gosh GOOP, what a prude.
But did you know, in the past 18 years only 3 people of color (Thandie Newton, Djimon Hounsou and Chris Rock) appeared on the cover before the flap? (2010 was a notably beige year.) Here are a few other stats:
135 Oscar nominations (and 28 wins) among all the actors
41 was the average age of the 20 “Legends of Hollywood” cover
24 was the average age of 2010 “A New Hollywood” cover
4 actors from the noted film classics: American Pie and The Fast and The Furious
3 covers are the most for any actor (a record shared by Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow)
3 all male covers (1996, 2003 and 2007)
1 bare ass of Scarlett Johansson
1 pissed off Rooney Mara
Feb
22
topgear: “That is a rabbit. I think it’s going to attack me….
“That is a rabbit. I think it’s going to attack me. Look, it’s poised.”
I love this rabbit.
Feb
22
topgear: “That is a rabbit. I think it’s going to attack me….
“That is a rabbit. I think it’s going to attack me. Look, it’s poised.”
I love this rabbit.
Feb
22
emergentfutures: Beyond X PRIZE: The 10 Best Crowdsourcing…
Beyond X PRIZE: The 10 Best Crowdsourcing Tools and Technologies
A guest post on the Tim Ferriss blog by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis is the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, and co-Founder and Chairman of the Singularity University, a Silicon Valley based institution partnered with NASA, Google, Autodesk and Nokia. Dr. Diamandis attended MIT, where he received his degrees in molecular genetics and aerospace engineering, as well as Harvard Medical School where he received his M.D.
Full Story: Tim Ferris
Feb
22
emergentfutures: Beyond X PRIZE: The 10 Best Crowdsourcing…
Beyond X PRIZE: The 10 Best Crowdsourcing Tools and Technologies
A guest post on the Tim Ferriss blog by Dr. Peter H. Diamandis is the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, and co-Founder and Chairman of the Singularity University, a Silicon Valley based institution partnered with NASA, Google, Autodesk and Nokia. Dr. Diamandis attended MIT, where he received his degrees in molecular genetics and aerospace engineering, as well as Harvard Medical School where he received his M.D.
Full Story: Tim Ferris
Feb
22
mothernaturenetwork: The slow loris is one of the only…
The slow loris is one of the only poisonous mammals in the world. Its subtle nature makes it popular in the illegal pet trade, but you should stay clear of its toxin, which is released from the sides of its elbows. When threatened, the loris takes the toxin into its mouth and mixes it with saliva. The animal will also lick its hair to deter predators from attack. The toxin can cause death by anaphylactic shock.
15 cute animals that could kill you
Feb
22
curiositycounts: The best thing since Science Ink?…
The best thing since Science Ink? Tattoos inspired by David Foster Wallace, who would’ve been 50 today.
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