All those topics that i wish i had time to pursue more earnestly.

The Library Problem

[From Hackito Ergo Sum: The Library Problem

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The library problem is a problem that I have. I solve it slightly differently, but am always looking for new possible solutions. This is the problem of having a personal research library. Not everyone has one, not everyone needs one, but I do and I sort of do, so I need organization for one. This gentleman and his wife found one solution, my solution is librarything currently.

“No practising Muslim woman – doctor, medical student, nurse or patient – should be forced to bare her arms below the elbow,” it said.

[From Female Muslim medics 'disobey hygiene rules' - Telegraph ]

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personally, i think they have the right to say no, but by not following the rules, I think they should be open to criminal charges if someone in their care gets infected. We do have the right to our own body, that is the foremost right, the right to a healthy body. The right to religion and personal belief should not override the right of another person to live a healthy life free from these ’superbugs’. I have no problem with special attire for religions, but i do take issue if that clothing brings probable harm to other people in situations where the person is supposed to be doing the opposite. In the case where the clothing is neutral, which in this case the claim it is not, but say where clothing might insight violence in others, though it need not, i think you can wear what you like and suffer the indignities of the social world, but in the case of healthcare workers… no. Your right to modesty in other words, or religion, does not outweigh someone else’s right to the best healthcare that they can have.

Keep in mind this is in a right’s based model, which i don’t generally perpetrate, but I think i can make the same argument in regards to being a good person and caring for others.

So, believe me, US politics don’t have a Left. Looking at the presidential candidates, I am frankly appalled. None of them would be a viable politician in Sweden. They all support the death penalty, none advocates strict gun control and all make frequent mention of their religious beliefs in public. These are extremist stances. Not even the tiny Christian Democrat party mentions God publicly in Sweden, for fear of alienating the pragmatic rationalist majority.

[From Aardvarchaeology : US Politics Have No Left Wing]

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there is a left… but… it can’t get into public politics anymore. It is impossible there is a media lockout and thus a popularity lockout. There is no more left newspapers, no more left tv, there is just the center-right. It makes no sense, but it is a form of cartelism leaning toward corporatism ala possible fascism, that determines this relationship between media and politics. The cartelism is centered in religious, military, and related tight networks. Or at least that is my hypothesis.

Is YouTube censored in your country? Having trouble getting onto Flickr to post your photos? MohammedR, an Iranian developer tired of not being able to access social networking websites in his country, came up with “FreeAccess Plus!”, which bloggers say is “making miracles” happen in Iran. [From How To Get Around Web 2.0 Censorship]

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sometimes the internet can route around censorship… then they cut the wires…

SL Student Center
A number of folks have attended the Lessons in Second Life meeting that Jeremy Hunsinger hosts on Mondays from 1-2:30pm at the _blacklibrary on hyperborea.

[From sorry.afk: SL Student Center]

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AJ posts about the idea that i’ve been working on for a universal student center in SL. It would be open to all students, a place that any and all instructors could put on their syllabus. it would be run by students with minimal rules and provided with some SL centric resources, like freebies and landmarks. My idea is that frequently classes are small and lack the critical mass necessary to feel safe in socializing and exploring in sl, this location would allow people from various courses, colleges, and universities to come together and find compatriots.

A. A Thinking WorldTM task is a challenge that will take place in a 3D world. For example you may be answering multiple choice questions about how blood gets around the body, whilst exploring a 3D set of lungs. Or you may be bringing different characters information about bullying in a 3D classroom.

[From Serious Educational Games Online | Game Based Learning | Games]

more on thinking worlds

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seems like it would be interesting, but it is pc only. now i have my old linux box…

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sometimes i get the feeling that most people in most parts of life are doing this.

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this is an interesting presentation for a center for new humanities at rutgers.

I’m not sure that humanities are centered around creativity, but I am sure that i think that they humanities lead the way in terms of the skills that allow creativity and innovation to flourish.

THES – QS World University Rankings

[From QS Top Universities: THES - QS World University Rankings - top university rankings from around the world]

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the new rankings are out for the best universities. these are the times higher education supplement rankings. they have some interesting numbers.

What Everyone Should Know About Their Own Minds: 6 Introspective Insights From Psychology

[From PsyBlog: What Everyone Should Know About Their Own Minds: 6 Introspective Insights From Psychology]

some great insights here.