Again, not Microsoft

I had recently considered switching my email over to Microsoft's web email service ever since they updated their email client, added new features, and have a better overall privacy reputation than my Google service (including the Blogger service this is getting posted to).  Unfortunately, Microsoft backed off that policy today, to more or less match Google's.  Very unfortunate.

Debate scripted as much as possible

I found this amusing, although -- if memory serves -- much of it seems directly related to the Obama-McCain town hall meeting, where McCain looked a uncomfortable or stood in places that looked weird on TV.

Wired Infographic on US Military activity since 9/11

Fascinating stuff.  I had no idea how little a presence was in Afganistan and how much defense spending has spiked. (thanks silver)

Trampire? Really?

An outstanding article giving a breakdown on a celebrity breakup I don't care about to talk about something I do: how young women view themselves in a culture increasingly hostile to mistakes and rape victims.  One that's also blindly ignorant of the creepy double-standard we have for men in the same position.

Also odd see something of a gossip wet blanket from the Huffington Post, frequently a sensationalist Hollywood vampire.

Animal adoption

Two very sad dog rescue stories that really got to me.  Dogs that may seem to have behavior problems as a result of abuse can still make great pets.

Last Apple product I'll ever buy

Definitely agree with this article by Slate.  Apple owns something that's cool but not exactly complex or revolutionary, and they are going to choke the industry by grabbing up stupid, obvious patents.  As the author points out, Apple just patented the steering wheel and no other car can have one.

Ridiculous.

Gillian Anderson is a good actress

... because you can only deliver the same line so many times and (as far as I remember from the series) give it the same gravity each time.  Well done, Gillian.  Of course, when you watch them strung together, it looks pretty silly:

If I ran one of the late night talk shows I'd invite her on, play this, and ask her to make some more creative recitations of surprise, such as:

• Zounds!
  
• Mi sangre es baile! (Spanish for "my blood is dancing").
  
• Holy poundcake, batman.
  
• Oopsy daisy!
• This turn of events is also unexpected

Romney evidently wins in 2012

At least one source with a strong reputation is putting Romney over the top for 2012.  Interestingly, former President Clinton is now campaigning for Obama -- someone who beat a popular president (and war hero) because of a slow economic recovery.

Pretty vs. Cute

Today, an analysis of the various terms around attractiveness.  While I'm not a huge fan of the show this came from, I've referenced this conversation in some way on too many occasions over the years.

Also entertaining: mistakes from the show.

Beating Brothers Circus

Years ago, I heard that circuses like Ringling Bros were mistreating animals.  Then I recall hearing that they had taken real pains to turn things around and make a big PR push that this just wasn't the case.  And now this.  Obviously at this point I'd rather take my kids to a UFC fight: at least they're out in the open about their violence.

Skyrim OST @ work

Unlike a lot of Ambient / Classical Music I listen to -- I found the Skyrim game soundtrack remarkably work-friendly.  It's active but not distracting and, after like the first few minutes, has no words.

Eye strain solutions

[Note: the following should not be construed as medical advice as I am not a doctor.  I only provide an example of something that worked for me.]

Reading from an LED screen a great deal lately, I ran into some problems with eye strain a while back.  Symptoms included:

• Inability to focus on what I was reading
• Constantly trying to refocus
• Feeling dizzy and sometimes gross
  

Fortunately rather than blowing a wad of cash with some eye doctor to tell me the same thing, a good friend had the same issue and correctly (it seems) diagnosed it as eye strain.

Here are the fruits of my research:

• EyeLeo freeware - really helps by just interrupting your work every so often to encourage you to take breaks, do some eye exercises.  They're annoying but they definitely work.
• F.lux (freeware) - lowers the blue color that your brain associates with morning.  Over the course of a day, it gradually lowers the color temperature so that you can sleep better at night.  This also reduces eye strain.  Needs to be disabled for any kind of color-sensitive work.  Alternately, you can buy some clip-ons that do basically the same thing:
  
• I bought some goofy big eye strain-prevention clip-ons.  They work well so far and help out with night driving as well (I often get blinded by headlights).  I say goofy as they're not very small, but they are dramatically cheaper than other versions I found (most were upwards of $50).
  

Facebook "improvements"

About 6 months ago I stopped using Facebook on a regular basis and basically made it into what my MySpace page does: someone could potentially still get in touch with me.  When I made this decision, I was worried that they would hit sort of an idiot threshold and start backing down from a lot of bad anti-user behavior.  Then I would have felt stupid for basically quitting the service.  Fortunately, my decision to leave has been continuously and constantly reinforced, including by their latest move to edit all your contacts' email addresses.

Which is good because every time it gets worse, I feel better.

Nation of Meat Eaters

Fascinating breakdown about US meat consumption.  Oddly even as cattle production is down, somehow we are getting (and eating) more meat out of the animals that are produced.  (Thanks K)