Nuclear Energy Goes Green

Ever since the Chernobyl disaster and the Three Mile Island scare, the idea of nuclear power in America has been marred by visions of radioactive meltdowns. But now that more and more people accept that the imminent threat of climate change is fueled by coal-burning power plants, scientists and policymakers are reconsidering the nuclear option. Inspired by skyrocketing energy prices and generous federal subsidies, utility companies want to build more than two dozen reactors over the next decade. At last, the environmental movement, after fighting new plants for decades, has warmed up to the idea.

Curb Your Schizophrenia

“That bald man made a mountain out of a molehill!”

Schizophrenics react to "Curb Your Enthusiasm." And get better in the process.

GLOCats

Scientists in South Korea have cloned kittens with an altered gene that makes them glow in the dark. We can't decide if this is more or less believable than the 2004 South Korean human cloning hoax.

Via Inventorspot.

Captain Kidd Shipwreck Found

When Captain Kidd was accused of "notorious piracies" in London in 1699 he ditched his captured ship, the Quedagh Merchant, in the Caribbean and fled to New York to clear his name. There he was stabbed in the back (metaphorically) by his patrons and thrown in jail where he went insane for a time.

He had left the Quedagh Merchant with friends/pirates who looted it, set it on fire, and sent it adrift. Treasure hunters have been looking for the wreckage since. And it was just discovered by Indiana University researchers in 10 feet of water off Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic.

Check out Kidd's wikipedia page. His story is full of treachery and adventure, complete with a climax at the gallows and a defiant farewell speech. Modern day pirates like Ken Lay and Johnny Depp are a total letdown.

Santa's Ghetto

The street artist Banksy moved his annual "Santa's Ghetto" art show to Bethlehem this year. By picking a place with such intense, enduring religious and political tensions in a time when many are celebrating ideals of love and generosity, he's trying to prod our conscience. We really like his approach:

"We would like to make it very clear Santa’s Ghetto is not allied to ANY race, creed, religion, political organization or lobby group. ...This show simply offers the ink-stained hand of friendship to ordinary people in an extraordinary situation.

Every shekel made in the store will be used on local projects for children and young people. Not one cent will go to any political groups, governmental institutions or, in fact, any grown-ups at all."

You can browse and buy art at santasghetto.com.

FCC And Big Media Relax Together

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin seems pretty intent on relaxing regulations that keep large media companies from owning newspapers and television stations in the same markets. Despite bipartisan opposition he's refusing to delay a December 18th vote.

Most people agree that media ownership should be regulated to some extent, so this is essentially a question of degree. After looking at this chart it's hard to argue that the six major media corporations are too small.

Pangea Day Submissions

The Pangea Day project (which we've mentioned before) is underway. They're looking for films that can unite people all over the globe in a sort of collective acknowledgment of shared humanity.

You can check out what they have so far on their YouTube group page.

Here's one of the better ones we found. It looks like they could use some more good submissions. If you feel inspired...