Wired has just released a list of the 50 best robots of all time and done the diservice of listing Optimus Prime, the greatest robot hero of our time, at merely spot #34. This is tragic. Optimus Prime died for our sins1 and all we can do is rank him at meagre #34? In fact, Optimus is even outranked by... more
§ Books
The world would be much less interesting without groups of statisticians engaging in curious research: A group of statisticians in Britain has concluded that a book’s bestseller potential can be predicted by its title. The study was commissioned by British literary website Lulu.com, which covers the world of self-publishing. It analyzes the titles of every book to have topped the... more
§ Science
The Hubble Space Telescope has helped astronomers spot two more rings around Uranus and add two more moons to the planet’s total. Scientists now say Uranus, a gas giant and the seventh planet from the sun, has at least 13 dusty rings. — CBC I know it’s a juvenile fascination1, but I will always enjoy any and all news about... more
§ Politics
The CBC’s Reality Check column has a useful breakdown of the budget cuts and spending proposed by all major parties. If you are a disaffected or jaded voter, look over this list of spending promises and determine how the financial priorities of each party will directly affect you. The government’s foremost responsibility is to redestribute tax revenue across a broad... more
§ Religion
A U.S. district judge ruled Tuesday that “intelligent design” cannot be taught in a Grade 9 biology class in Pennsylvania, saying it amounts to teaching a secular version of creationism. — CBC News Thanks be to God. The full ruling is available at Sciohost.... more
§ Politics
French debates are a dull but necessary aspect of any Federal election campaign. It’s unfair to fault either francophones or the French language itself for the general sense of boredom that exudes from these leadership debates—blame irritable High School French Teachers across English Canada instead. Nonetheless, something simply has to be done to spice up French debates in the future.... more
§ Politics
CKNW’s Peter Warren is an ornery jackass at the best of times, but you’ve got to admire the way he skewered Jack Layton during the NDP leader’s first tour of BC: Federal NDP leader Jack Layton is clarifying a statement he took some heat for recently during an interview with CKNW’s Peter Warren. When asked if he would turn to... more
§ Politics
Paul Martin launched his reelection tour in British Columbia yesterday by starting with P.M.S.: A Surrey high school has provided the backdrop for the Prime Minister’s first B.C. stop on the election campaign. … The liberal leader briefly toured Princess Margaret Secondary before taking part in a question and answer session with leadership students. — CKNW Sorry, couldn’t resist.... more
§ Politics
Rick Mercer has provided a pro-beer defense for Liberal spin-meister Scott “beer and popcorn” Reid’s suggestions that Canadians would rather be rednecks than conscientious parent: Conservative Child Care Critic Rona Ambrose called a press conference this week to condemn Scott Reid. That’s fine, but did she stop there? No. Rona Ambrose placed a warm case of Blue on a table... more
§ Politics
Have you seen the value of Canadian Dollar lately? As of this writing, the Loonie currenty sits at a whooping $0.8694 US Dollars. That’s the highest our currency has reached in atleast 14 years. This should be good news for the Liberals, right? After all, didn’t slick Willy Clinton get elected to a second term primarily due to a strong... more