Monday 17 September 2007

World's Worst Polluted Places 2007

Hugh Pickens writes on Slashdot 
"Blacksmith Institute has published their list of the most polluted sites in the world 
compiled by comparing the toxicity of the contamination, the likelihood of it 
getting into humans and the number of people affected. For example, 
ninety-nine percent of the children living in and around the poly-metallic 
smelter at La Oroya in Peru, owned by the Missouri-based Doe Run Corporation, 
have blood lead levels that exceed acceptable limits. 
Scientific American says that despite the massive pollution, 
it would be relatively cheap and easy to clean up the most dangerous hazards
For $15,000, the radioactive contaminated soil from the Mayak plutonium facility 
on the shore of the Techa River in the Russian town of Muslyomova could be 
dug up, saving an estimated 350 lives. 'For about $200, the cost of a refrigerator, 
we are able to save someone's life,' says Richard Fuller, founder of Blacksmith."

The original info is at: 
and makes frightening reading.


Video: William Tell Overture, with a difference!

Sunday 16 September 2007

Alex Wanted a Cracker, but Did He Want One? Good Article!

(Well worth the read.........)

" ...... But what Jimmy finds most endearing is Alex's bad attitude. 
As bored with the experiments as Jimmy is with school, 
the parrot would abruptly squawk, "I'm going away now," 
then refuse to cooperate further.
Except for the part about Jimmy and the imminent apocalypse 
(still, fingers crossed, a few decades away), all of the above is true. 
Until he was found dead 10 days ago in his cage at a Brandeis University 
psych lab, Alex was the subject of 30 years of experiments 
challenging the most basic assumptions about animal intelligence. .... "

Monday 10 September 2007

7 Wonders Panoramas - The New 7 Wonders -Travel Great Wall, Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu - 360 degree Panoramas

These are VERY good panoramas!
http://www.panoramas.dk/7-wonders/



Alex The Grey Parrot, Colleague of Irene Pepperberg, Dead at 31

" ... yesterday, I received the devastating news that Alex the African
grey parrot, who was both a study subject and colleague to Irene Pepperberg,
died unexpectedly on 7 September 2007, at 31 years of age."

Slashdot | NZ Police Busted When Tracking Device Found On Car

A police operation to covertly follow a Central Otago man 
came to an abrupt halt this week when the man found 
tracking devices planted in his car, ripped them out and 
listed them for sale on Trade Me.





Saturday 8 September 2007

Chaser comedians take easy road into no-go zone

A source inside The Chaser's War on Everything has revealed the team, headed by stars Julian Morrow and Chas Licciardello never expected to get as far as they did.

read more | digg story