Links for 2010-04-17

“An artist named Richard Ankrom had the same experience, and so he did what any fed-up Los Angeles driver would do: He created a simple directional tool to help drivers prepare for the 5’s poorly marked hairpin exit. He designed and sewed a Caltrans uniform, cut the shield-like “5” shape as well as a “NORTH” from sheet metal, and affixed reflectors to match the existing system. He even gave the signage a nice dusting of L.A. smog sheen so it wouldn’t look glaringly new. On August 5, 2001, in broad daylight, he hoisted a ladder onto Gantry 21300, walked onto a catwalk above one of the city’s busiest arteries, and installed his own freeway sign”

“So can someone please explain to America’s progressive law students why most of the liberal speakers at their national conference are already confirmation war punch lines? Is there some kind of false equivalency between the two groups that makes [the American Constitution Society] “outside the mainstream” while the Federalist Society not only represents the mainstream but renders anyone outside of it hysterical? Why should conservative law students be moved and inspired by their legal rock stars while liberals are sent the message that theirs are outrageous? “

“For several years now I’ve been working casually on just that: a classification of the types of science in sf that would be more detailed than the obvious correct vs. incorrect vs. gray area / fudged.

This first version was prepared for a panel at Arisia on the science in sf films and hence draws all its examples from them, but I think it works just as well for sf literature, as well.”

Nice column from Carl Zimmer about recent neuroscience research on the brains of athletes.

Insulting and stupid response from ESPN to Carl Zimmer’s column about neuroscience research on athletes.

“This is why you don’t fly turbojets through volcanic ash plumes.”