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Corner Brook, Hole of the Universe

Losing the War on Potholes

Don’t miss the comments.

The Starving Ocean

The Starving Ocean

Atlantic Canada reveals what is probably the clearest evidence anywhere of the ecosystem-effects of persistent human fishing. The early 1990’s crash of the once great Canadian cod stock is held up as a global cautionary tale against fisheries mismanagement, against greedy human ‘overfishing.’ But less well known is that the story is not that simple, that, at the level of scientific detail, so much has gone severely and unexpectedly wrong in Atlantic Canada…that the most basic assumptions underlying the ‘science of overfishing/sustainable fishing’ must now be questioned.

Zooplankton were unexpectedly and inexplicably lost along with Canadian fish stocks. If, as seems likely, this is part of the ecosystem impact of fishing, then this finding has global significance.

While i’ve not went along with the popular Newfoundland theory that seals drove the cod population into crisis (has this ever been researched formally? i’ve been asking people this for years) i’m not convinced by this writer either. Global warming is downplayed as a possible influence in favour of an anti-fishery, anti-seal-hunt agenda, and i don’t see ocean pollution mentioned at all.
The phenomenon of plankton collapse, as reported on this site, needs to be studied. The research effort necessary would be huge, but no existing government has the political courage to fund it. Back to square one.

Long Bets

Long Bets – The Arena for Accountable Predictions

The purpose of Long Bets is to improve long–term thinking. Long Bets is a public arena for enjoyably competitive predictions, of interest to society, with philanthropic money at stake. The Long Now Foundation furnishes the continuity to see even the longest bets through to public resolution. This website provides a forum for discussion about what may be learned from the bets and their eventual outcomes.

Notably, Ted Danson won $2K on the Red Sox. Much deeper stuff under discussion there, though.

Oh dear me

Well, that’s much better.

The last theme was kind of busted and this one is closer to what my original one looked like.  i still have to do some customization sometime.

Asteroids

‘Urgent’ Alert Sounded Over New Incoming Asteroid

Less than two days from […] warnings on the potential of Global weather chaos caused by Asteroid 2007 TU24’s 1.4 Lunar Distance close approach to our Earth, and which Western scientists had stated would be “… the closest approach by a known asteroid of this size or larger until 2027”, another new asteroid, 2008 BC15, discovered January 30, 2008, has just approached our Earth at the incredible closeness of 0.8 Lunar Distances.

[…] the greatest concern of Dr. Abdusamatov lies in the ‘assault’ these asteroids are making upon our Earth’s electromagnetic field causing an unprecedented outbreak of Global weather chaos.

That’s two asteroids passing by at a distance about as close as the Moon, the second one actually closer than the Moon by 76,800 km.

Subprime mortgages explained

Sir, as an investor and a concerned citizen, I demand that you force our financial institutions to show greater transparency and openness in their financial reporting!”

“Blow me.”

(via Metafilter)

Large

Steve Gerber is dead

i own this book if ya wanna see it

This guy was an unsung genius.

An obit

Brassica soup

via Plastic

3 heads broccoli, freshest
1 head cauliflower, freshest
1 turnip
3 large carrots
1 yellow onion
14 oz can coconut milk
chicken broth
Parmesan cheese

Chop veggies, put in a big pot with the coconut milk. Add chicken broth to cover. Boil until carrots are mushy. Blend until creamy while hot. Salt & pepper to taste. Serve with Parmesan cheese.