San Andreas fault 'set for huge quake' | | The Australian
"The observed strain rates confirm that the southern section of the San Andreas fault may be approaching the end of the interseismic phase of the earthquake cycle," he wrote in Nature.
A sudden lateral movement of seven to 10 metres would be among the largest ever recorded.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake that destroyed San Francisco in 1906 was produced by a sudden movement of the northern end of the fault of up to 6.4 metres.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Only happy victims of the Holocaust, please
Islam Channel hosts London anti-Zionist debate | Jerusalem Post
From the story above about an anti-Zionist discussion in London, which included some Jewish anti-Zionists:
Karmi, a research fellow at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at Exeter University and a former consultant to the Palestinian Authority, said the mistreatment of the Jews was a European affair that had nothing to do with Palestinians. "Why were we dumped with this problem?" she asked.
She offered her own interpretation of Zionism. "The Europeans did it to atone for their sins and guilt but the Jews who arrived in Palestine were not the Jews we knew, they were complicated and miserable and the problem is that they're still there."
From the story above about an anti-Zionist discussion in London, which included some Jewish anti-Zionists:
Karmi, a research fellow at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at Exeter University and a former consultant to the Palestinian Authority, said the mistreatment of the Jews was a European affair that had nothing to do with Palestinians. "Why were we dumped with this problem?" she asked.
She offered her own interpretation of Zionism. "The Europeans did it to atone for their sins and guilt but the Jews who arrived in Palestine were not the Jews we knew, they were complicated and miserable and the problem is that they're still there."
Creative Arab history
What Jewish ties to Jerusalem? | Jerusalem Post
Daniel Pipe's article on Palestinian historical revisionism (with regards to denying a Jewish connection with Jerusalem - yes hard to believe isn't it?) is very interesting stuff I hadn't heard of before.
Daniel Pipe's article on Palestinian historical revisionism (with regards to denying a Jewish connection with Jerusalem - yes hard to believe isn't it?) is very interesting stuff I hadn't heard of before.
There's a sentence you don't hear often
Discovery Channel :: News - Animals :: Whales Slap Flatulent Prey
From the above story:
Norwegian killer whales slap their tails underwater to disorient and kill herring, which sometimes defend themselves from the assault by disappearing under the cover of their own bubbly flatulence, according to a new study....
While whales often are successful, some herring escape. The study's authors perhaps say it best: “Farting may save their lives.”...
Further down, how can you not chuckle at this comment:
As for the herring flatulence, Diachok agreed the fish may do this to facilitate escape, but he said it also might just be inadvertent.
From the above story:
Norwegian killer whales slap their tails underwater to disorient and kill herring, which sometimes defend themselves from the assault by disappearing under the cover of their own bubbly flatulence, according to a new study....
While whales often are successful, some herring escape. The study's authors perhaps say it best: “Farting may save their lives.”...
Further down, how can you not chuckle at this comment:
As for the herring flatulence, Diachok agreed the fish may do this to facilitate escape, but he said it also might just be inadvertent.
Maybe it blows itself up very quickly
The LHC Dashboard | Cosmic Variance
See the link above to a post about the dangers involved if the LHC malfunctions. (Dangers to the equipment itself, which is very expensive.)
I am tempted to post a comment there about micro black holes, but it is not exactly on topic.
See the link above to a post about the dangers involved if the LHC malfunctions. (Dangers to the equipment itself, which is very expensive.)
I am tempted to post a comment there about micro black holes, but it is not exactly on topic.
Youth unemployed
TCS Daily - The Kids Are Not Alright
Interesting article above on youth unemployment in Europe. An extract:
In the EU-15, the countries with the highest levels -- above 20 percent 00 are Greece, Italy, Sweden, France, Belgium and Finland. Indeed, it is generally acknowledged that France and Italy have serious economic problems. But Sweden and Finland might surprise some. (A new study by McKinsey shows that the real unemployment rate in Sweden is 15 percent -- three times what the government claims.)
Obviously, there is no "Nordic Model" when it comes to youth unemployment. In Denmark and Norway, the rate is 8-10 percent, whereas in Sweden and Finland it is 20-23 percent - the same level as in beleaguered France.
The numbers reflect real policy differences. In Denmark, there is the so-called flexicurity model, where the flexibility part is important when it comes to cutting youth unemployment. But in Sweden, the labor market is very regulated, unionized and collectivized, leading to high youth unemployment.
It all comes down to a divide between reforming and non-reforming countries, the latter clinging to a so-called European Social Model. That combination of a big state with high taxes on work, public monopolies and a regulated labor market simply prevents young people from working. And what kind of a social model is that?
Interesting article above on youth unemployment in Europe. An extract:
In the EU-15, the countries with the highest levels -- above 20 percent 00 are Greece, Italy, Sweden, France, Belgium and Finland. Indeed, it is generally acknowledged that France and Italy have serious economic problems. But Sweden and Finland might surprise some. (A new study by McKinsey shows that the real unemployment rate in Sweden is 15 percent -- three times what the government claims.)
Obviously, there is no "Nordic Model" when it comes to youth unemployment. In Denmark and Norway, the rate is 8-10 percent, whereas in Sweden and Finland it is 20-23 percent - the same level as in beleaguered France.
The numbers reflect real policy differences. In Denmark, there is the so-called flexicurity model, where the flexibility part is important when it comes to cutting youth unemployment. But in Sweden, the labor market is very regulated, unionized and collectivized, leading to high youth unemployment.
It all comes down to a divide between reforming and non-reforming countries, the latter clinging to a so-called European Social Model. That combination of a big state with high taxes on work, public monopolies and a regulated labor market simply prevents young people from working. And what kind of a social model is that?
More work for psychologists
BBC NEWS | Health | Counselling 'restores fertility'
The study reported above seems small scale, but with surprisingly good results:
Their preliminary study focused on 16 young women who had not had a period for six months, even though some already had children.
They had all been diagnosed with a condition called functional hypothalamic amennhorea (FHA), caused by a prolonged reduction in levels of a hormone which signals the release into the bloodstream of hormones that simulate ovulation.
The women had been shown to have increased levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
Half were given cognitive behavioural therapy, tailored to their own situations for 20 weeks.
Over the course of the study, six of the eight women given CBT regained full fertility, with one showing some signs of restored ovarian function.
Two later became pregnant within two months.
In the eight women who received no treatment, one recovered her fertility while another showed signs of ovarian function.
I have mentioned cognitive behaviour therapy before. It seems to have much going for it.
The study reported above seems small scale, but with surprisingly good results:
Their preliminary study focused on 16 young women who had not had a period for six months, even though some already had children.
They had all been diagnosed with a condition called functional hypothalamic amennhorea (FHA), caused by a prolonged reduction in levels of a hormone which signals the release into the bloodstream of hormones that simulate ovulation.
The women had been shown to have increased levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
Half were given cognitive behavioural therapy, tailored to their own situations for 20 weeks.
Over the course of the study, six of the eight women given CBT regained full fertility, with one showing some signs of restored ovarian function.
Two later became pregnant within two months.
In the eight women who received no treatment, one recovered her fertility while another showed signs of ovarian function.
I have mentioned cognitive behaviour therapy before. It seems to have much going for it.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Womb for improvement (boom boom)
Church mulls 'phrasing' change for Holy Trinity
If this is reported correctly, the silliness of some of it is both amusing and annoying at the same time:
Delegates to the national assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted yesterday to "receive" a policy paper on sex-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. Church officials are enabled to propose "experimental liturgies" with "alternative phrasings" for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.
Besides "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer, Friend," options include:
"Lover, Beloved, Love"
"Creator, Savior, Sanctifier"
"King of Glory, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Love"
When most Christians think of the Holy Spirit, it is surely with the Gospel images of a suddenly appearing dove, tongues of fire, or the mysterious breath of God. All of the images are dynamic, empowering, and not of the flesh; exactly in the way "womb" is not. Any internal organ is surely a ridiculous metaphoric image for a Holy Spirit that can appear in various forms. May as well go for the pancreas, it's vaguely got something to do with energy at least.
God the Father does not come out of it too well with being re-imaged as "Rock". While I share with liberals a certain disdain for the idea some Fundamentalists have that God is whispering specific directions into their ear, imagining God as an inert lump is taking a remedial image way too far in the other direction.
As for the Spirit as "Friend", well, how wimpy can you get. More an image of having a cup of tea and a chat to make you feel better, rather than someone giving you courage and power.
UPDATE: I have decided that I was a little unfair to fundamentalists. Many liberals these days (on issues like gay relationships or women's ordination) also take the view that God is informing them directly about the "right" attitude to these matters.
If this is reported correctly, the silliness of some of it is both amusing and annoying at the same time:
Delegates to the national assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted yesterday to "receive" a policy paper on sex-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. Church officials are enabled to propose "experimental liturgies" with "alternative phrasings" for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.
Besides "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer, Friend," options include:
"Lover, Beloved, Love"
"Creator, Savior, Sanctifier"
"King of Glory, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Love"
When most Christians think of the Holy Spirit, it is surely with the Gospel images of a suddenly appearing dove, tongues of fire, or the mysterious breath of God. All of the images are dynamic, empowering, and not of the flesh; exactly in the way "womb" is not. Any internal organ is surely a ridiculous metaphoric image for a Holy Spirit that can appear in various forms. May as well go for the pancreas, it's vaguely got something to do with energy at least.
God the Father does not come out of it too well with being re-imaged as "Rock". While I share with liberals a certain disdain for the idea some Fundamentalists have that God is whispering specific directions into their ear, imagining God as an inert lump is taking a remedial image way too far in the other direction.
As for the Spirit as "Friend", well, how wimpy can you get. More an image of having a cup of tea and a chat to make you feel better, rather than someone giving you courage and power.
UPDATE: I have decided that I was a little unfair to fundamentalists. Many liberals these days (on issues like gay relationships or women's ordination) also take the view that God is informing them directly about the "right" attitude to these matters.
Another sad case
Dad faces manslaughter charge | The Courier-Mail
A trial in a very tragic case is underway in Queensland:
RYAN Brooks, 18, arrived home after a late night out with his mates and asked his mother Cheryl to get him up early for work, and then disappeared into his bedroom.
Later, he went to the fridge to get a drink of cold water and took a mouthful of clear, odourless fluid from an unmarked glass spirit bottle.
Within moments he was screaming for his mother and writhing. The liquid he had swallowed was industrial-strength cleaner used to rinse beer-lines at the hotel where his father, Ian Francis Brooks, worked as a janitor.
Ryan died 2½ weeks later, during emergency surgery at the Ipswich Hospital from massive internal bleeding. Four years on, his father is being held criminally responsible and yesterday pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to the manslaughter of the youngest of his two sons on February 24, 2002.
Criminal offences which are based on negligent or reckless behaviour with unintended effects have always made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. Some cases clearly call for criminal charges (eg, a driver who loses control while hurtling down a street and hits a pedestrian.) But when the victim is a loved member of the accused's own family, it raises the question of the value of prosecuting the accused if he has already gone through anguish over what happened. The defence will surely be playing on this, and I suspect that the jury will find it a difficult call. After all, I can see the counterargument that it would not be appropriate to abandon all cases where an accused shows sufficient grief.
Of course, if he is convicted, his personal anguish (assuming he has some) will no doubt be heavily relied upon in a plea in mitigation before punishment is decided.
A trial in a very tragic case is underway in Queensland:
RYAN Brooks, 18, arrived home after a late night out with his mates and asked his mother Cheryl to get him up early for work, and then disappeared into his bedroom.
Later, he went to the fridge to get a drink of cold water and took a mouthful of clear, odourless fluid from an unmarked glass spirit bottle.
Within moments he was screaming for his mother and writhing. The liquid he had swallowed was industrial-strength cleaner used to rinse beer-lines at the hotel where his father, Ian Francis Brooks, worked as a janitor.
Ryan died 2½ weeks later, during emergency surgery at the Ipswich Hospital from massive internal bleeding. Four years on, his father is being held criminally responsible and yesterday pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to the manslaughter of the youngest of his two sons on February 24, 2002.
Criminal offences which are based on negligent or reckless behaviour with unintended effects have always made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. Some cases clearly call for criminal charges (eg, a driver who loses control while hurtling down a street and hits a pedestrian.) But when the victim is a loved member of the accused's own family, it raises the question of the value of prosecuting the accused if he has already gone through anguish over what happened. The defence will surely be playing on this, and I suspect that the jury will find it a difficult call. After all, I can see the counterargument that it would not be appropriate to abandon all cases where an accused shows sufficient grief.
Of course, if he is convicted, his personal anguish (assuming he has some) will no doubt be heavily relied upon in a plea in mitigation before punishment is decided.
Calling all benevolent time travellers
I've been posting quite a lot recently, rather to the detriment of my normal work.
The pace may need to slow a little in the lead up to the end of the financial year, unless my new scheme for how to make money from this blog succeeds.
All I need is someone from the future with access to next week's Australian lotto numbers, and a method of emailing information back in time, to provide the winning numbers for next weekend's Gold Lotto. Powerball, or any other mid-week Lotto numbers are also acceptable; I am not fussy.
If you are reading this in the future and are wondering "why should I benefit this particular jerk out of all others," well, there is no especially compelling reason, other than I have a family to support, no family riches coming my way, and have provided you with a way to test your machine. Maybe you could just email anyone, but how many people would take this seriously unless they had invited it? (Well, maybe I would try it once, but I am gullible.)
Of course, if you find out not only the winning numbers, but also who won (if it is not me) then I don't know that this scheme will work. I don't want to create any unnecessary splitting of universes. Also, don't go trying to email yourself in the past: if that worked, everyone would try it and (after a week or two of thousands of people sharing top prize) the whole lotto idea would be shelved permanently.
No, this is something you have to do benevolently to a single recipient.
So, go to it. Please send all winning (Australian) Lotto numbers to this temporary email:
2mc2ljfk3i3mqi0@jetable.org
Readers will be advised if and when I appear to have proved information can flow backwards as well as forwards.
For readers interested in time travel generally, this 1991 article by Hans Moravec is pretty good.
Also, people who have access to future information via methods such as spirit communication, ganzfeld experiments, etc, are welcome to submit numbers.
The pace may need to slow a little in the lead up to the end of the financial year, unless my new scheme for how to make money from this blog succeeds.
All I need is someone from the future with access to next week's Australian lotto numbers, and a method of emailing information back in time, to provide the winning numbers for next weekend's Gold Lotto. Powerball, or any other mid-week Lotto numbers are also acceptable; I am not fussy.
If you are reading this in the future and are wondering "why should I benefit this particular jerk out of all others," well, there is no especially compelling reason, other than I have a family to support, no family riches coming my way, and have provided you with a way to test your machine. Maybe you could just email anyone, but how many people would take this seriously unless they had invited it? (Well, maybe I would try it once, but I am gullible.)
Of course, if you find out not only the winning numbers, but also who won (if it is not me) then I don't know that this scheme will work. I don't want to create any unnecessary splitting of universes. Also, don't go trying to email yourself in the past: if that worked, everyone would try it and (after a week or two of thousands of people sharing top prize) the whole lotto idea would be shelved permanently.
No, this is something you have to do benevolently to a single recipient.
So, go to it. Please send all winning (Australian) Lotto numbers to this temporary email:
2mc2ljfk3i3mqi0@jetable.org
Readers will be advised if and when I appear to have proved information can flow backwards as well as forwards.
For readers interested in time travel generally, this 1991 article by Hans Moravec is pretty good.
Also, people who have access to future information via methods such as spirit communication, ganzfeld experiments, etc, are welcome to submit numbers.
Funny
Instapundit.com -
Glenn Reynolds explains in an amusing fashion why he is not a moderate:
My ideal world, in which, as I've said before, happily married gay couples have closets full of assault weapons, isn't exactly "moderate."
Glenn Reynolds explains in an amusing fashion why he is not a moderate:
My ideal world, in which, as I've said before, happily married gay couples have closets full of assault weapons, isn't exactly "moderate."
Monday, June 19, 2006
Curiouser and curiouser
Diary of Kovco's death dream - National - smh.com.au
The circumstances of his death certainly sound much stranger than expected.
The circumstances of his death certainly sound much stranger than expected.
On blogging in Saudi Arabia
Saudi women unveil opinions online | csmonitor.com
As you might expect, the internet (and blogging) are tightly controlled in Saudi Arabia:
Deeply conservative, Saudi Arabia is among the most restrictive countries in regard to Internet access in the world, with most traffic going through a central hub at KACST in Riyadh. The biggest number of sites blocked are pornographic sites, followed by sites that discuss drugs, religion, and terrorism...
One female blogger (http://www.classic-diva.blogspot.com/) said that she was stopped from using the Internet at home for several months after her conservative brothers grew suspicious about why she was spending so much time online.
"I've been blogging since April 2005. It's a way to vent out my frustrations and to write," said Jo, who asked only that her first name be used. "My family knows that I have a site, but they don't have a concept of what blogging is."
Saudi families care so much about the welfare of their daughters, it's touching. (Sarcastic tone required for that sentence.)
As you might expect, the internet (and blogging) are tightly controlled in Saudi Arabia:
Deeply conservative, Saudi Arabia is among the most restrictive countries in regard to Internet access in the world, with most traffic going through a central hub at KACST in Riyadh. The biggest number of sites blocked are pornographic sites, followed by sites that discuss drugs, religion, and terrorism...
One female blogger (http://www.classic-diva.blogspot.com/) said that she was stopped from using the Internet at home for several months after her conservative brothers grew suspicious about why she was spending so much time online.
"I've been blogging since April 2005. It's a way to vent out my frustrations and to write," said Jo, who asked only that her first name be used. "My family knows that I have a site, but they don't have a concept of what blogging is."
Saudi families care so much about the welfare of their daughters, it's touching. (Sarcastic tone required for that sentence.)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
A lukewarm Pixar
The New Yorker: The Critics: The Current Cinema
I saw Cars today, with kids in tow. (Does that count as a pun?)
Like all Pixar films, it's pretty to look at, although The Incredibles was much better and exciting visually in my opinion.
Overall, it is just a so-so movie. The script is not as funny as most Pixar outings; the characterisation is weaker than it should be; it is a clever concept, but not delivered with much charm.
I agree with most points made by Anthony Lane in his review above. For those interested, I would rank Pixar films roughly as follows:
Excellent: Toy Story, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, A Bug's Life
Overrated, but not at the bottom of the heap: Finding Nemo
Not very good: Toy Story 2, Cars.
I saw Cars today, with kids in tow. (Does that count as a pun?)
Like all Pixar films, it's pretty to look at, although The Incredibles was much better and exciting visually in my opinion.
Overall, it is just a so-so movie. The script is not as funny as most Pixar outings; the characterisation is weaker than it should be; it is a clever concept, but not delivered with much charm.
I agree with most points made by Anthony Lane in his review above. For those interested, I would rank Pixar films roughly as follows:
Excellent: Toy Story, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, A Bug's Life
Overrated, but not at the bottom of the heap: Finding Nemo
Not very good: Toy Story 2, Cars.
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