irreality

From the “You’ve got to be kidding me” news desk:

The outbreak of swine flu should be renamed “Mexican” influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork, an Israeli health official has said.

Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman said the reference to pigs is offensive to both religions and “we should call this Mexican flu and not swine flu,” he told a news conference at a hospital in central Israel.

Of course, if the world is stupid enough to start calling it “Mexican flu”, I’m sure we’ll see another stupid announcement like this from the Mexican government, or from some Hispanic civil rights organization.

Here’s a clue for you guys – it’s being called “swine flu” because that’s where it originated.  I’m really that sorry your religious sensibilities are offended, please excuse me while I go give a shit.

Kacie Kinzer’s thesis relies on data obtained by watching how people interact with small helpless robots.

“Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal.

Kacie Kinzer's Tweenbot

The journey the Tweenbots take each time they are released in the city becomes a story of people’s willingness to engage with a creature that mirrors human characteristics of vulnerability, of being lost, and of having intention without the means of achieving its goal alone.”

So what happened to the little robot?

Mission 1: Get from the Northwest to the Southwest Corner of Washington Square Park, New York
Elapsed Time: 42 minutes
Number of people who intervened: 29

There are other pictures, a video of the bot in action, and a sneak peek at some new bots on the Tweenbots webpage, so be sure to head over there and sign up for information on upcoming projects.

29 people stopped to pay attention, and to help something that was helpless along the way.

Maybe there’s still hope for us after all.

Another informative article from our friends at ASPCA.org, this time talking about emergency cat care. While the entire article is worth reading, here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

Set up Emergency Veterinarian access before it is needed.

When Does My Cat Need Emergency Care?
Your cat may need emergency care because of severe trauma—caused by an accident or fall—choking, heatstroke, an insect sting, household poisoning or other life-threatening situation.

What Are Some Signs That My Cat Needs Emergency Care?

• Pale gums
• Rapid breathing
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Change in body temperature
• Difficulty standing
• Apparent paralysis
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Excessive bleeding

What Should I Do If My Cat Eats Something Poisonous?
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic substance, please call the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680, your veterinarian, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Not that this will come as a surprise to some people, but these are pretty interesting results.  This also explains what causes that flying / floaty / “subspace” sensation that those receiving stimulation experience.

SPANKING is stressful at first, but it could bring consenting couples closer together. That’s the implication of two studies of hormonal changes associated with sadomasochistic (S&M) activities including spanking, bondage and flogging.

Brad Sagarin at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and colleagues measured levels of the stress hormone cortisol in 13 men and women at an S&M party in Arizona, before, during and after participating in activities. During S&M scenes, cortisol rose significantly in those receiving stimulation, but dropped back to normal within 40 minutes if the scene went well. There was no change in those inflicting the activity.

At an S&M event in Colorado, testosterone was measured in 45 men and women. It increased significantly in receiving women only. Donatella Marazziti of the University of Pisa, Italy, says the boost may help women cope with the aggressive nature of S&M activities, or that it could be another sign of stress. In both studies, couples who said the party went well also reported increases in relationship closeness.

Of course, more study remains to be done:

Nick Neave, a psychologist at the University of Northumbria, UK, says the results are interesting, but future studies should control for whether participants experienced orgasm, which is associated with reduced stress and an increase in hormones associated with partner-bonding and affection.

But somehow, I doubt he’d have trouble finding people willing to participate!

This is an exact copy/paste from the ASPCA.org website, but this is information that needs to be available everywhere.  This is a listing of the top ten pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2008.

Human Medications

For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2008 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed more than 50,000 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

Insecticides

In our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our pets at risk. In 2008, our toxicologists fielded more than 31,000 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

People Food

People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruit can seriously harm our furry friends, and accounted for more than 15,000 cases in 2008. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

Rodenticides

Last year, the ASPCA received approximately 8,000 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets, including bleeding, seizures and kidney damage.

Veterinary Medications

Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2008, the ASPCA managed nearly 8,000 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

Plants

Common houseplants were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls to the Animal Poison Control Center in 2008. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.

Chemical Hazards

In 2008, the Animal Poison Control Center handled approximately 5,500 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.

Household Cleaners

Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received more than 3,200 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

Heavy Metals

It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for more than 3,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2008. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

Fertilizer

It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded more than 2,000 calls related to fertilizer exposure. Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something lawn-side, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

If you find an ex online that you haven’t talked to in years, you might want to reconsider sending them a message.

Eleven years later, it still hurts.

In my silence I would love to forget
Restitution hasn’t come quite yet
And with one accord I keep pushing forth
I stretch my heart to heal some more

As my seasons change I’ve now grown to know
When one’s heart creates, one’s soul doesn’t owe
So I wash away stains of yesterday
Then tempt my heart with love’s display

It used to be all I’d want to learn
Was wisdom, trust, and truth
But now all I really want to learn
Is forgiveness for you

“Forgiveness” – Collective Soul

This is a short read, but it’s an interesting topic. I have to confess that I am inclined to agree – the more time I spent in Everquest2, and the less I spent outside the game, the easier it was for me to get down and feel like shit about everything. Of course, one could argue that too much of anything is a bad thing, but with MMORPGs being such notorious time sinks, and people easily becoming addicted to playing them, I’m a little surprised that the numbers aren’t higher.

Virtual online games involve chatting with people, performing quests together, forming groups and role-playing. One of the largest surveys of people who play virtual games, however, has found that time spent playing is linked to depression.

Researchers at Northwestern University surveyed 7,000 players of the virtual game EverQuest II. They found that depression levels in the groups ranged from almost 21% in people who didn’t play the game that often to more than 30% in those who played a lot. “This could mean that highly active players get more depressed or that depressed people are more likely to be active role players,” said the author of the study, Noshir Contractor, a professor of behavioral science.

The study was presented last week at a meeting of the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science. The study also found that many players underestimate the amount of time they spend playing and that women are the most dedicated and satisfied players. Studying people who play virtual games is important, Contractor said. “In many ways it’s a microcosm of our existence in the general social world.”

We already knew this stuff might be bad for us, but now researchers from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minnesota are reporting that nearly half of the 20 samples they tested contained  mercury.  A total of nine samples contained trace amounts of mercury, with one sample having as much as 0.57 micrograms per gram.

The source of the metal appears to be caustic soda and hydrochloric acid, which manufacturers of corn syrup use to help convert corn kernels into the food additive.

…the average American consumes about 12 teaspoons of it (high-fructose corn syrup) daily, according to federal estimates

An FDA spokesman said he still was waiting for a response to the study. Industry representatives, meanwhile, said the study was outdated.

“It is important that Americans are provided accurate, science-based information,” Audrae Erickson, president of the Corn Refiners Association, said in a statement. “They should know that high fructose corn syrup is safe.”

But you know?  I think I’ll pass just the same, Ms. Erickson -

In another statement, the Chlorine Institute said: “It is conceivable that measurable mercury content can be found in high fructose corn syrup regardless of how it is processed.”

Yikes.