Daily Archives: 22 May 08

The Device

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The only process indicating apparatus you’ll ever need! “…[A]n enigmatic beast. At first glance, one hardly knows what to make of it… and at second glance things don’t get much better. Listed below are some of the more common questions we’ve been asked, and their answers.

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Q: How integral a role can the Device play in my secret plans to take over the world?

A: The Device can be used for good or evil. Please only use the Device for good.

Q: If Albert Einstein was alive today, do you think he would own The Device?

A: Yes.”

New Red Spot Appears on Jupiter

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“Planetary measles”: “…[A] third red spot has appeared alongside its cousins — the Great Red Spot and Red Spot Jr. — in the turbulent Jovian atmosphere. This third red spot, which is a fraction of the size of the two other features, lies to the west of the Great Red Spot in the same latitude band of clouds.” (HubbleSite)

Five things humans no longer need

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Vestigial organs: “Probably the most famous example is the appendix, though it is now an open question whether the appendix is really vestigial. The idea that we are carrying around useless relics of our evolutionary past has long fascinated scientists and laypeople alike.

This week we tackle vestigial organs in a feature article that looks at how the idea has changed over the years, and how it has come under attack from creationists anxious to deny that vestigial organs (and hence evolution) exist at all. To accompany the article, here is our list of the five organs and functions most likely to be truly vestigial.” (New Scientist)

What’s in McCain’s medical records?

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“He’ll be releasing everything about his repeated cancer surgeries. But he won’t release his psychiatric records, which hold clues to the effect of his Vietnam captivity.” (Salon)

There would be concerns about his fitness for the presidency even if he weren’t about to turn 72. Arguably, the President’s mental health is the aspect of his or her medical condition that has the most bearing on ability to govern. Every year, with great hoopla, the President is pronounced fit after a publicized physical exam at Walter Reed. But, as I have said repeatedly with regard to GWB (about whose emotional fitness I have had ongoing grave concerns), the double standard that bars parallel psychiatric evaluations and announcements of their results is unconscionable.