Past Links of the Week

2002-06-20: Scientific American has an article on the circumvention of gene patents by means of "coaxing" living cells to produce the patented genes or proteins. An interesting read for those with an idea of the questionable things happening in the realm of biotechnology: the patenting of genes found in living things.
The National Geographic Society publishes one of the most well-respected, widely read, and most diverse magazines in the world. They now have DVD products that contain every issue of National Geographic published.
Red Storm Rising from Tom Clancy; his first novel and one of the best. The book details a realistic scenario for a war between the USSR and USA in the early 1980s.

2002-06-10: S1m0ne, the new movie with Al Pacino. It's a satire of the movie industry in which a producer creates a digital star, and he can't admit her nonexistence to himself or the public.
Luciano Pavarotti, the famous Tenor. Pavarotti is both talented and appealing to a wide audience; may I suggest "Nessun Dorma" as one of his best performances.
past links of the week

2002-06-03: "Ads for Army Serve Important Purpose": My article in response to ridiculous claims about the new "Army of One" campaign and other aspects of recruitment in this article in the Daily Bruin. Occasionally they publish my articles instead of putting them in the "Letters" section, so it's pretty cool.

2002-05-27: DARPA: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. They have some very cool stuff planned, such as self-healing minefields and human performance augmentation exoskeletons. Amazing!

Tylenol Crisis of 1982. In Chicago in 1982, someone put cyanide-laced bottles of Tylenol capsules in store shelves, resulting in the deaths of several area residents. The response to the crisis--a nationwide recall of Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules--was applauded as a perfect example of corporate responsibility. Did Johnson & Johnson make the recall purely for ethical reasons or was there a more selfish motive? You be the judge.

2002-05-21: Federation of American Scientists, the site devoted to scientific analysis of diplomacy, public policy, international relations, and military matters. A real gem!

2002-05-17: Mr. Pibb, blended cola drink, best known as the arch enemy of Dr. Pepper. Interesting site with brand history, availability map, and design schemes. PiBB -- Put it in your head!

2002-05-10: Diego Garcia is the most remote U.S. installation in the world. It seems like a place that would be nice for a vacation but the idea of living literally halfway around the world for a year-- 12,000 miles from the U.S.-- might get to some people. Be careful not to bring pornography, knives over 3 inches, guns, or clothing that "glorifies the consumption or use of drugs." What a perfect example of the tyranny of British rule in the British Indian Ocean Territories. The natives are definitely restless in this isolated place. Diego Garcia is home to some of the Maritime Prepositioning force, which is on 24 hour standby to carry essential supplies and ordnance to conflict areas such as the Middle East.