Friday, July 03, 2009

Good Reads

Author and illustrator Maira Kalman took a trip to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Her fascination with the man makes us want to go, too!

A brief history of the bikini. "It is hardly necessary to waste words over the so-called bikini since it is inconceivable that any girl with tact and decency would ever wear such a thing."

Censoring information in the news media is a lot easier than controlling information on Wikipedia, even when lives are at stake. The case of David Rohde is a fascinating and terrifying example.

Words That Changed Their Meanings. Popular usage trumps original usage, especially when "...the actual meaning is the complete opposite of the literal meaning."

The debate over health care is satirized using the analogy of police protection. "Under our system, we can choose our own police officers, as long as we pay for protection out of our own pockets. Do we want some government bureaucrat choosing the police for us?"

Creatures from the Sewer. Reading an explanation of what this is doesn't make the sewer-cam video any less disturbing.

Four things EVERYONE needs to know about sharks. Especially those who haven't been in the water since Jaws premiered.

A philosophy professor battles alcoholism with a variety of methods: rehab, psychotherapy, medication, and AA. So far, something is working for him. (via Metafilter)

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