• Gadgets

    Border Security to Become Copyright Police?

    By Posted on 5.30.2008 19 Comments

    As if the security in airports and controls at border crossings weren't slow and intrusive enough, governments around the world are quietly passing laws to allow them to search the contents of your laptop and other electronic devices, like iPods and cellphones. A United States court last month gave border agents carte blanche to hold a laptop for days and even copy its entire contents. The UK government has given its agents authority to search computers at its borders for pornography. But in what may be the most baffling and cumbersome move of all, the US, Canada, UK, and other EU nations are working behind closed doors on a new trade agreement which could turn border agents into the copyright police.

    5.30.2008 at 10:20pm - Comment by Dreap

    That's quite upsetting to say the least, but not necessarily a completely unforeseen measure.

  • Science

    Energy Drinks May Promote Risky Behavior

    By Posted on 5.29.2008 12 Comments

    Energy drinks like Monster, Full Throttle, Red Bull and others account for more than $3 billion in annual sales in the U.S., and roughly one-third of people between the ages of twelve and 24 say they suck them down on a regular basis. The beverages have been linked to a number of negative health effects, but now an addiction researcher at the University of Buffalo has published a report demonstrating that excessive consumption is also correlated to risky behavior such as unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence.

    5.29.2008 at 05:44pm - Comment by Dreap

    This isn't even news. It is speculation. Unless there is a clear genetic link to the harmful behavior, than this shouldn't even be published. The products are directed at a younger more reckless group in the first place. To even insinuate that the drink might be linked to dangerous behavior is sheer rubbish. As per the bit about mixing energy drinks with liquor, well duh. People who drink alcoholic beverages become inebriated, (as a side result more sexually engaged) that's not news! Show some proof that the energy drinks cause wild behavior, and then you can start considering energy drinks as "red flags".

  • Science

    One in Eight U.S. Biology Teachers Teaches Creationism

    By Posted on 2.12.2009 109 Comments

    The results of the first national survey of teachers about evolution in their classrooms are in. Darwin would quiver in his boots to learn that in this day and age, one in eight American biology teachers teach creationism and intelligent design as a sound alternative to his theory. In fact, 13 percent of the country’s teachers think they can run an excellent biology class without even mentioning Darwin or evolution.

    5.23.2008 at 10:55pm - Comment by Dreap

    Would it be fair to disallow the research of Creation science? Isn't science an arena for thought, debate, and even at times skepticism? Where would we be if Galileo or Newton or Copernicus hadn't been skeptical about the commonly held understanding of the world? Science is not about forcing others to accept one view or another; it is about a genuine process of the human curiosity at work that is never truly satisfied with, "Because that's just the way it is, so stop asking questions and doubting the status quo". I would say that it would be unfair for students to reach an inadequate model of Evolution that lacks the necessary depth to receive an acceptable understanding of it (much less completely skipping over of it), and likewise, it would be equally unjust to not teach a competent portrayal of the opposing view. Just as in any other subject, BOTH sides of the argument should be explained to the students. For a student to not be able to learn either side sufficiently is just plain bad education.



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