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Wednesday, November 6, 2002
Today we have the story of one Darrell Lambert, an Eagle Scout who's being kicked out of the national organization because of his lack of belief in god. The recent hullaballoo apparently started when a scout trainer at a retreat for adult leaders suggested during class that "a person who didn't believe in god is not a good citizen" according to Lambert, causing him to dissent and draw the ire of officials. Now, despite his entire troop and their parents vouching for him both as a person and as a role model for the younger scouts, it looks like he'll go unless he reverses his atheism for them. Putting aside the simple fact that the Scouts are a private organization and can kick out whomever they please, I have to say that whoever's keeping score should chalk up another point in the People Are Idiots column. I don't hold any particular belief in an all-powerful diety either, yet I obey the law, donate to non-profit and charitable organizations, help my fellow person when they need it, and do my best to be pleasant to everyone I interact with, and otherwise behave in a manner consistent with the phrase "good citizen." While we're on the topic of the possibility of secularly-based positive social contribution, check out writer Jared Diamond's review of Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society by David Sloan Wilson. The book portrays the historically adaptive role of religion in society, and Jared's interesting piece takes exception to a few of the ideas in it. Definitely worth a read.
Interesting scientific tidbit of the day: Suppose the entire history of life on this planet was represented by the distance from your nose to the tip of your middle finger. File off a piece of your nail and you would lose the amount of time that humans have been on the planet.
Fascinating new scientific theory: check out this NY Times story on "inflation", and I don't mean the economic kind.
Alarming science story of the week: scientists say the quest for clean energy must begin now, and I just don't see a Republican government stepping up to the plate on this one. Do you?
Linkariffic: Ok, so some people may have entirely too much free time on their hands; nonetheless, these modified Macs are very cool. Also falling into the "neato" category is broadband in the middle of BFE nowhere. In the news, it looks like scientists are finally managing to prove something that people with any common sense knew all along. If you're looking for amusing, first check out the Foxtrot Halloween strip, then go take a look at the Dialect Survey Map. (Why not grab a friend from a different part of the country and give it a try?) Finally, who knew there were so many sites online dedicated to the aerodynamic designs of paper airplanes? Or that washing with a caffeinated soap would inhibit your chance of developing skin cancer?
On the arts & entertainment front, I saw The Ring two weekends ago, and highly recommend it. Finally, suspense and horror based on psychological investment in believable characters and not cliches! Woo-hoo! Also, I'm hoping to go see Femme Fatale this upcoming weekend. I've mostly liked De Palma's work (with perhaps the exception of Snake Eyes) and this looks especially entertaining, in that naughty sort of way. :) And for those of you who actually visit the linked Salon review, is it just me, or is Rebecca Romijn-Stamos reminiscent of Kim Basinger (a la 9 1/2 Weeks) in that picture? Anyway, I'll report back on that if I get to go see it.
Finally, in the realm of adult amusement and not-safe-for-work surfing, I laughed out loud when I read about a new Japanese PS2 game this couple referred to as "Tron on Ecstasy" ...thanks, Metafilter.
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