The Linkage for Mar. 28th
Here’s a quick look at what I was reading online from Mar. 20th to Mar. 28th:
Texan faces charges over snake vodka
Tags: weird texas animals stupid
A snake rancher is facing charges for selling liquor without a license after he was found peddling bottles of vodka containing dead baby rattlesnakes.
Oldest recorded voices sing again
Tags: history music technology
Scientists have uncovered a way to play back a voice recording made on soot-covered paper in 1860.
Japanese league tired of MLB’s trans-Pacific schemes
Tags: baseball japan red_sox athletics business
After a decade of us cherry-picking their top stars and decades of barnstorming tours, the Japanese are finally tired of MLB acting like they’re the only league that matters.
Dude, Where’s My Nuke?
Tags: government cold_war
If you’ve been waiting to steal a nuclear weapon from the U.S. government, then you’ve waited too long! The Pentagon is now implementing a radical new strategy for nuclear arms management – keeping track of their own crap.
‘Manners police’ hit Japan metros
Tags: society japan funny
As someone who is becoming older with each passing minute, I heartily approve of this measure to reign in all those whipper-snappers and darn pesky kids.
British PM ‘got lost’ at state banquet
Tags: uk funny
Just as Tony Blair and Bill Clinton were birds of a feather, it looks like Bush Jr. may have found a soulmate across the Atlanic.
No love for Bonds at Giants’ park
Tags: baseball steroids giants
I think the Giants are right to yank down all of the Bondsmania crap around the park – the guy’s no longer on the team. That said, Magowan’s stance on Bonds in general is a bit hypocritical. I guess he figures the $$$ well has run dry.
Silicon chips stretch into shape
Tags: technology computer science
Awesome, now we’re about the enter the golden age of flexible electronics. Damn it, I still just want a flying car.
Google asks FCC for access to TV white space
Tags: technology government google net_issues television
So what if Big G missed out on the bandwidth auction last week? Why pay millions of dollars if you think you get the FCC to dole out some space for free?
Justice Department approves XM-Sirius merger
Tags: xm business government
The deal still has to be cleared by the FCC, but at least one major hurdle is out of the way. I’m not sure how I feel about this deal. I like my XM the way it is – I don’t need it watered down with an a la carte pricing structure.
Network Solutions shuts down Dutch Islam film website
Tags: net_issues censorship religion
Should ISPs be in the business of blocking content that is legally produced, even if it’s greatly offensive to some? Another painful collision of free speech, multicultural awareness and business concerns on the web.
Robots exploring Antarcticia from above
Tags: technology antarctica
Scientists are now using decision-making unmanned planes to do aerial exploration of the frozen continent. Sled dogs everywhere are looking for new jobs.
Mars is ‘covered in table salt’
Tags: space mars science
Now when our pioneer astronauts arrive on Mars, we know they’ll have no problem curing the wild game they shoot for long-term storage.
Facebook launching IM, adding some privacy options
Tags: facebook technology net_issues
On one hand, it’s good to see Facebook introduce some granularity on the privacy controls, but their decision to keep their chat API closed is a bonehead move.
An ocean may decouple Titan’s crust and core
Tags: space saturn titan
It appears that features on Titan’s surface are moving independently of the moon’s rotation, meaning that the entire surface may be floating on an ocean beneath the crust.
Video: 1975 Sony Betamax promo
Tags: advertising television technology history funny video
Do you need to get rid of unwanted houseguests? Then you need a Sony Betamax unit. Skip the first 50 seconds or so to get to the funky groovy meat of this promo.
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