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Tech NewsThe FCC Is Trying to Do Something Good For Once(?!)
In a blog post, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler recently promised the American people that his agency will intervene if more states pass laws that limit community broadband networks. It’s a nice promise. But remember: It’s just a promise. Wheeler’s blog post is an enlightening if tardy salute to Chattanooga, Tennessee, a small town that built … Continued
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io9
How Cuts in the Pentagon Science Budget Will Hurt Basic Research
Despite military downsizing, the White House has previously shielded science research at the Department of Defense from budget cuts. But this year, the administration requested a 6.9% reduction. That has universities worried since they receive 10% of their federal research funding from the Pentagon. In testimony before Congress this past March, Alan Shaffer, the Principal … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
Here’s Why The U.S. Is Worried About A Major Conflict at Sea
Is America’s next war going to be in the Pacific? This new map suggests it will — and highlights the locations where it’s most likely to break out. As U.S. foreign policy increasingly pivots toward the Pacific, Washington finds itself potentially mired in escalating territorial disputes between China and its neighbors, including Japan, Vietnam and … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
How Robert Heinlein Went from Socialist to Right-Wing Libertarian
The second massive volume in William Patterson’s fannish biography of classic science fiction author Robert Heinlein has just come out, and it explores — in part — the writer’s strange political transformation. It all started, and ended, with free love. Jeet Heer has a fantastic article about the late Patterson’s biography in The New Republic … Continued
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io9
The Chinese Tea Study that the Tea Party Wants to Suppress
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) just cut funding to a science program that he says “didn’t pass the laugh test” — a long-term study on how climate change is affecting Chinese tea crops. But this study isn’t funny. Instead, it offers the darkest picture yet of how our crops will change in the years ahead. The … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
Classic Anti-Fascist Photomontages from the 1930s and 40s
Some of the first examples of media jamming, or remixing media to make a political statement, may have come from John Heartfield (Helmut Herzfeld, 1891-1968). He was the German-born pioneer of of political photomontages. More than anything, Heartfield loved to make fun of fascists. The Face of Fascism, 1928 (via The Red List) A Berlin … Continued
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io9
Failed Nuclear Weapons Recycling Program Could Put Us All in Danger
Some government screw-ups are so epic that they require decades of effort. Such was the case for the recently cancelled plan to convert surplus weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel. Not only did the U.S. waste $4 billion dollars, it increased the likelihood that terrorists could obtain bomb-making materials. It sounded like a good idea at … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
Critics of the EPA’s emissions reduction plan say it lets many big polluting states off easy. For instance, coal-burning states like West Virginia and Kentucky will have to cut carbon pollution by 19.8% and 18.3%, while Washington state, one of the lowest carbon emitters, is supposed to cut its pollution output by 72%.
By Mark Strauss -
io9
The Secret Life Of Sally Ride, The First American Woman In Space
When Sally Ride died in 2012, her obituary noted a new fact that was widely picked up: that she was survived by her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy. The first American woman in space suddenly became a more complicated figure. Now Lynn Sherr, a journalist and friend of Ride, has created a brilliant and eye-opening biography. Sherr’s … Continued
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io9Movies
Thai Military Threatens To Arrest People For Doing Hunger Games Salute
The three-finger salute which Katniss Everdeen does in The Hunger Games has become a real-life symbol of resistance to the military coup in Thailand. To the point where the ruling junta has said it may arrest people for doing it, if they’re in a large group and refuse to lower their arms. In Hunger Games, … Continued
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io9
The Flat Areas Of Europe Tend To Be The Most Right Wing
Recent election results in Europe could bring new meaning to the term “Flat-Earthers.” A comparison of voting preferences and geography reveals that right-wing populist parties tend to enjoy the most support in regions with flat plains. This map (below), created by Josse de Voogd, a Dutch electoral geographer, shows where right-wing populists are strongest in … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
Republicans Claim Only “Scientists” Can Understand Climate Change
“I’m not a scientist,” Republican John Boener told reporters last week, to explain why he couldn’t discuss climate change. This seems to be a new rhetorical strategy deployed by Republicans who don’t want to comment on the fact that their stance on the environment is currently more reactionary than the Pentagon’s. Atmospheric scientist Donald Wuebbles, … Continued
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io9
If There’s A Nuclear Arms Race In Asia, Don’t Blame North Korea
In a recent interview, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said, “It would be difficult for us to prevent a nuclear domino from occurring in this area,” were North Korea to conduct another test. But one analyst argues that if a nuclear arms race were to occur, it’s China that should be singled out for blame. … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
The Metallic Metals Act Shows People Always Bluffed About Politics
A staple segment of partisan talk shows, or regular comedy shows, is sending a camera operator out on the street and demonstrate – via a quick survey – how little people these days know about politics. But political ignorance, covered by bluffing, is not a modern thing, as the Metallic Metals Act shows. Every election … Continued
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io9
The House Science Committee Declares The IPCC Report Is Not Science
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report warned that more intense droughts and heat waves will cause famine and water shortages. But, don’t worry! Yesterday, the GOP held a hearing to tell us the IPCC is, in fact, a global conspiracy to control our lives and “redistribute wealth among nations.” The hearing, titled “Examining … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
The Pentagon Wants to Tackle Climate Change — But Congress Forbids It
As rising sea levels begin to engulf naval bases and extreme weather exacerbates conflicts worldwide, the military has sounded the alarm that climate change poses a long-term threat to U.S. security. The GOP response? It passed legislation that blocks funding for any Pentagon program that tackles climate change. Just prior to Memorial Day weekend, the … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
io9
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With This Academic Book on Economics
Sometimes a relatively dense academic book breaks out of the Ivory Tower and takes the world by storm. Such is the case with French economics professor Thomas Piketty’s Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Here’s one reason why the book is capturing people’s imaginations — and fueling speculation about our global future. In a recent review … Continued
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io9
Why Tomorrow’s Conservatives Will Reject The Death Penalty
Politicians going after Republican votes know from the polls that opposing capital punishment is a career-ending decision. But, a growing group of conservatives say it’s time to reject a policy that they describe as an anti-life intrusion by big government. Is this the future of conservative politics? Writing in the Boston Globe, Leon Neyfakh profiles … Continued
By Mark Strauss -
Tech News
What Would Change If Politicians Wrote Laws Based on Internet Polls?
A new political party, designed by software devs and engineers, is joining the race in California. If elected, PlaceAVote‘s Congressional candidates vow to decide on every bill based on the majority vote of their constituents—as measured via online polling. Could that sort of direct, digital democracy improve how Congress works? Would it make government more … Continued
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io9
As the 2016 presidential campaign ramps up, Republicans and Democrats have different wish lists when it comes to the traits they mostwant in a candidate. Military service far and away tops the list for Republicans, while a significant share of Democrats would like to see a woman at the top of the ticket.
By Mark Strauss