Links and articles

[conuly]

Genetic differences between "identical" twins discovered

http://bit.ly/1cw3bFz

How Skeptics Can Break the Cycle of False Beliefs

http://bit.ly/1lsUZI8

We tend to think that simply giving people money makes them lazy. Yet a wealth of scientific research proves the contrary: free money helps. It is time for a radical reform of the welfare state.

http://bit.ly/Kfyn2P

The biggest blockbusters last year were overwhelmingly more likely to pass the Bechdal test.

I've seen this one posted in a few places, and the comments at all places are all the same, tired old iterations of "but I don't want them shoehorning in females just to have them there! What about Private Ryan/Shawshank/Dead Poets????" and "but lots of those female characters aren't strong!!!", with a generous dose of "all those movies are crap!" (That last comment might be justified.)

Unless your movie takes place in an all-male military, prison, or boarding school, the odds are good that the demographics ought to be 50/50. Like reality. If one strong female character doesn't seem shoehorned in, you ought to be able to find a way to fit another one in without making it seem forced. If you can't, let's face it, you just aren't a very good writer/producer/director. Why are we buying tickets to see your stuff again?

http://bit.ly/1f02f0G

Asthma: Altering diet may ease symptoms

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25592214

1930s-style debt defaults likely, says IMF research

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101307602

Texas anti-abortion law forces women to make tough choices

http://alj.am/195XShK

Scientists solve mystery of UFO lights appearing just before earthquakes

I had thought I posted that one already, but now I can't find it!

http://bit.ly/1gzM0EQ

Supervolcanoes Erupt by Their Own Rules
Mega-eruptions and smaller volcanoes are triggered by different mechanisms

http://bit.ly/JDAVHf

Four states confirm water pollution from fracking

http://on.ksdk.com/1a0aiTr

Here's Exactly How Much the Government Would Have to Spend to Make Public College Tuition-Free

http://bit.ly/1crPpjP

Thinking of Drinking Airplane Water? Read This.

I remember the day I learned the word "non-potable". A week before the official end of my kindergarten year, on an overseas flight to Belgium, sooooo thirsty, and yet I couldn't get them to give me anything to drink but juice or soda. So I went to the bathroom and stared at that sign. I had never seen the word before, but you don't have to be very smart to figure out that they wouldn't bother to warn you that the water is "non-potable" if that was a good thing. I had a choice. Risk it, or die of thirst and despair.

Well, of course I drank it, I was, like, six! Spoiler alert: it didn't kill me. Man, I am so glad sometimes for the bottled water phenomenon. Sure, it's silly, but at least I can get water now if I'm thirsty.

http://on.wsj.com/1efb41w

Comments

[conuly]

That IS the first link, thanks.