Clipmarks | mirzania's clips

Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 18:20:40 GMT

clipped by: mirzania

Until I talked to Nick Bostrom, a philosopher at Oxford University, it never occurred to me that our universe might be somebody else’s hobby. I hadn’t imagined that the omniscient, omnipotent creator of the heavens and earth could be an advanced version of a guy who spends his weekends building model railroads or overseeing video-game worlds like the Sims.

But now it seems quite possible. In fact, if you accept a pretty reasonable assumption of Dr. Bostrom’s, it is almost a mathematical certainty that we are living in someone else’s computer simulation.

This simulation would be similar to the one in “The Matrix,”

But in Dr. Bostrom’s notion of reality, you wouldn’t even have a body made of flesh. Your brain would exist only as a network of computer circuits.

It’s unsettling to think of the world being run by a futuristic computer geek, although we might at last dispose of that of classic theological question: How could God allow so much evil in the world?

Tags: science, technology, matrix, research, simulation

Full or Partial Feeds?

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:57:36 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: Of course, the choice isn't always yours to make as some blog sites only let you publish a partial feed. Interesting debate here though.

Clip Source: www.yellowhousehosting.com

Do You Prefer Full Or Partial Feeds?

February 16th, 2007 by Steven Bradley (a.k.a. vangogh)

The Pros and Cons

Full feeds are the likely preference of those readers who are also bloggers or journalists. These are the readers who will link to your blog and providing them with full feeds makes it more likely they will read your post and consequently link to you.

Full feeds allow your posts to be read off your site so there’s less taxing of your bandwidth and your posts can still be ready even if if there’s a temporary problem with your server.

Partial feeds require people to come to your site meaning they see your ads, which theoretically means you make more money.

Partial feeds protect you from content theft since scrapers are less likely to republish only a summary of your post.

For me the two main issues are the first and last above.

Until today I had considered the potential content theft to be the biggest issue, but now I’m not so sure.

Tags: rss, blogging

Government Involvement in London Bombings/Blair, Bush and the 'War on Terror'

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:47:05 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: A video which links the London Bombings to cross-Atlantic Government and Secret Service involvement.

Clip Source: uk.youtube.com

[Video]

7/7 London Bombings - Government Involvement

Tags: blair, bush, teroorism, iraq, conspiracy

Should we expect privacy in a World gone Web2.0?

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:11:40 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: This article poses interesting questions. It could be said that by the very fact that we post things about ourselves on the web, we have given up our right to privcy, but is that so? Furthermore, in a World where everything is open to the gaze of the camera, do we have any rights to privacy left at all?

Clip Source: www.cearta.ie

You don’t know what you’ve lost till it’s gone? Privacy in a world gone Web2.0

Now, it’s all very well for me to stream my data; I can control what I allow you to see on my blog, in my bebo account, in my flickr photos, in my YouTube videos, in my del.icio.us bookmarks. That’s the kicker: that control and choice are the essence of personal autonomy; they are my control, my choice; I decide what’s there. But I have no control at all in what you choose to put on your sites. And that is the problem.

what happens if I do not consent or would not have consented? Because I have not been able to exercise my autonomy, has my privacy has been invaded?

This is one of the key conundra of web2.0 applications. They make it easy for all this to happen. But just because they make it easy, that doesn’t necessarily make it right.

Our privacy is dripping away in small steps,

And, as Joni Mitchell sings, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

and by then, it’s too late.

Tags: privacy, web2.0, streaming

Surveillance Society

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:51:40 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: The trouble is, this doesn't surprise me at all. Just adds to my loathing of what 'British Scociety' has actually become.

Clip Source: radar.oreilly.com

UK Rolls Out Police Headcams

I couldn't let an AP story in today's newspaper about British policemen equipped with helmet cams go by without comment.

you can see the additional upside that police might be more restrained if they knew someone was watching -- or they might just turn off the camera

the article continues:

the national rollout will tighten Britain's web of video surveillance, already the most extensive in the world. The country is watched over by a network of some 4 million closed-circuit cameras, and privacy advocates complain the average Briton is recorded as many as 300 times a day.

The Home Office said it was exploring other uses for the devices, including fitting them with the ability to send video live to a command centre, or special license-plate recognition software

How do you feel about a future in which you might always be on camera in any public space? What kinds of safeguards would you expect?

Tags: surveillance, spying, police, 1984

Spain Burns Fields to Kill Voles

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:17:03 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: Whatever you think about the rights and wrongs of this, it's not the best time to burn fields here at the moment, with temperatures in the high 90s

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Spain burns fields to kill voles

A plague of field voles in central Spain has led the authorities to resort to controlled burning of fields

The measure is only permitted by the European Union in exceptional cases.

The fires were started on Wednesday in the Valladolid area of Castilla-Leon region, to prevent the rodents devastating beet and potato crops.

Agricultural officials say they are not sure what caused the surge in vole numbers. Fields will also be burnt soon in Avila, Palencia and Segovia.

Castilla-Leon's Agriculture Minister, Silvia Clemente, said agronomists, veterinarians and biologists had been asked to explain the plague but nobody really knew, she told Spain's Cadena Ser radio.

"There has never been a plague like the one we have now," she said.

Tags: environment, wildlife, voles, spain

Pro-Ana groups grow on social networking sites

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:44:09 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: I personally think these groups do need to exist. Banning them won't cure people of anorexia and at keast they have others to talk to who understand how they feel - something no non-anorexic can.
There again, others may say that these social networks will encourage young people to over-slim and eventually get anorexia. That also may be a valid point. But I still don't think banning them is the answer.
What do others think?

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Seeking 'thinspiration'

One of the Facebook groups

The popularity of social networking websites has opened up a whole new world of interaction, but with it, darker trends are emerging. Groups which appear to extol grave eating disorders as a glamorous lifestyle choice are appearing on sites which claim tens of millions of active users.

Members of such groups post pictures of painfully skinny girls for "thinspiration", compare dangerously low goal weights and measurements, and team up to "keep each other strong" in their quest to lose weight.

Their existence on the net is nothing new. But their presence on social networking websites, which have rules against posting harmful content, raises the groups to a new respectability.

A spokesman for MySpace says it can be "very tricky" to distinguish between support groups for users who are suffering from eating disorders, and groups that might be termed as pro anorexia or bulimia.

Facebook failed to respond to our questions.

Tags: anorexia, bulimia, social networking

The political compass test

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 22:58:31 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: I've ended up somewhere between Nelson Mandella and the Dalai Lama!

Clip Source: www.politicalcompass.org

About The Political Compass™

In the introduction, we explained the inadequacies of the traditional left-right line.

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -8.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15

Authoritarian

Left

Right

Libertarian

Tags: test, politics

Someone make them stop! Please!

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:24:53 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: "We'd love to have more," Michelle said, adding that the girls are outnumbered seven to 10 in the family. "We love the ruffles and lace."
This woman is insane!!!

Clip Source: www.usatoday.com

By Beth Hall, AP

Arkansas couple welcomes 17th child

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — It's a girl — again — for the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 17th child, and seventh daughter, into the world Thursday.

Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 a.m. at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rogers, Ark., the Duggars said in an interview. Jennifer weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and arrived five days after Michelle's due date.

Less than 30 minutes after giving birth, the Duggars already were talking of having more.

"We'd love to have more," Michelle said, adding that the girls are outnumbered seven to 10 in the family. "We love the ruffles and lace."

Tags: children, population explosion

Top 10 rock'n'roll landmarks in the US

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 02:13:32 GMT

clipped by: mirzania

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Top 10 rock'n'roll landmarks in the US

Want to stay in the same hotel trashed by Led Zeppelin or sip soda in the very seats a young Elvis once sat? Find out where you can with our top 10 US rock'n'roll landmarks.

See them all in our gallery

Guardian Unlimited
Friday August 3 2007

Sun Studio ... sing into Elvis Presley's microphone and admire Johnny Cash's dollar-strung guitar. Photograph: Gaven Hellier/JAI/Corbis

1. "Riot" House

Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, California

Recently renovated, the hotel still retains a sense of its famous past. A poster of a long-haired musician posted at the front desk reads: "Be kind to this customer. He may just have sold a million records."

2. Elvis

Arcade Restaurant, Memphis

3. Gram Parsons

Joshua Tree Inn, California

While staying in Room 8 on September 18 1973, Gram Parsons, a veteran of the Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, died aged 26 after consuming a cocktail of tequila and morphine.

Read the full content……

Tags: rock, landmarks, nostalgia

Cordless Mouse

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:45:44 GMT

clipped by: mirzania

Clip Source: icanhascheezburger.com

CORDLESS MOUSE

August 3rd, 2007 by tofuburger | 16 Comments -> |

123 votes

okay, okay, it’s a hamster. still funny.

photo by: ?
capped and submitted by: cosmorific

Subscribe to this feed • Email this • Stumble It! • Save to del.icio.us • Bookmark With Yahoo! Bookmarks • Share on Facebook • Google Bookmark This • Digg This! • Submit to Reddit • Digg This!

Posted in byICHC, lolhamster, treasure, mouse | Add a Comment ->

Copy this picture directly into your blog:

" name="easyshare2" />

Tags: humor, pictures

The Emotions that Make Us Link

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:35:30 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: Check out the example pictures!

Clip Source: www.seomoz.org

The Emotions that Make Us Link

The blogosphere and the world of social media is, by and large, ruled by human emotion. As web developers, marketers and entrepreneurs seeking exposure, we can choose to embrace the passions that dominate the creation of links, or we can ignore them and give our competition a potential edge.

In my experience there are a handful of emotions that dominate the desire to link or share content. Below, I've ranked each emotion by effectiveness in terms of enticing the sharing behavior online (and, cheesily, added images to assist in my explanations):

#1 - Anger

Bloggers link when they're angry - this trait rules the political blogosphere and often makes for huge stories in the technology and business worlds as well. It's only human nature to get mad and start tossing around URLs to either back up your point or refute the opinions of others.

#2 - Pride

#3 - Excitement

#4 - Surprise

#5 - Envy

#6 - Sharing

#7 - Thoughtful

#8 - Confusion

#9 - Dissapointment

#10 - Shame

Tags: blogging, linking, advice

Gene for left-handedness is found

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:32:12 GMT

clipped by: mirzania
clipper's remarks: Well I always think that left-handed people are more intelligent. Any left-hander will tell you so!

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Gene for left-handedness is found

Scientists have discovered the first gene which appears to increase the odds of being left-handed.

the first gene which appears to increase the odds of being left-handed.

The Oxford University-led team believe carrying the gene may also slightly raise the risk of developing psychotic mental illness such as schizophrenia.

The gene, LRRTM1, appears to play a key role in controlling which parts of the brain take control of specific functions, such as speech and emotion.

The brain is set up in an asymmetrical way.

In right-handed people the left side of the brain usually controls speech and language, and the right side controls emotions.

However, in left-handed people the opposite is often true, and the researchers believe the LRRTM1 gene is responsible for this flip.

They also believe people with the LRRTM1 gene may have a raised risk of schizophrenia, a condition often linked to unusual balances of brain function.

Tags: left-handed, science, news

Microsoft tries to Patent Ultimate Spyware Application!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 03:43:49 GMT

clipped by: mirzania

Clip Source: www.geeknewscentral.com

Imagine a day where everything you do everything you access is spied upon either by Google or Microsoft. We know Google has a pretty good head start but not wanting to be left behind Microsoft has applied for a patent that is so over the top even I am having a hard time comprehending why they would do this.

"The adware framework would leave almost no data untouched in its quest to sell you stuff. It would inspect 'user document files, user e-mail files, user music files, downloaded podcasts, computer settings, computer status messages (e.g., a low memory status or low printer ink),' and more. A word processor may display a banner ad along the top of a window, similar to a toolbar, while a graphical ad may be displayed in a frame associated with the application. A digital editor for photos or movies may support video-based advertisement."

According to ArsTechnica the patent would:

Tags: technology, it, spyware, big-brother

Kangaroo Invasion!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 02:40:29 GMT

clipped by: mirzania

Clip Source: news.nationalgeographic.com

Kangaroos Invading Australian Cities as Drought Worsens

Australia's worst drought in a hundred years is driving its kangaroos into cities in search of food and water, experts say.

In Canberra, referred to as the Bush Capital for its pockets of parklands scattered throughout the city, residents encounter the common sight of eastern gray kangaroos on the streets.

After several years of dry conditions, vegetation has been grazed down to nothing—leading to the unusual spectacle of kangaroos hopping around the lush grounds of the lakeside home of Australia's Governor General, Sir Michael Jeffery.

Canberra's urban kangaroo sightings have been complemented by reports of greater numbers of kangaroos in other cities and towns in the southeast of Australia, apparently driven there in search of food. (See a map of Australia.)

Tags: wildlife, environment

Clipmarks | mirzania's clips

Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch

Full or Partial Feeds?

Do You Prefer Full Or Partial Feeds?

The Pros and Cons

Government Involvement in London Bombings/Blair, Bush and the 'War on Terror'

7/7 London Bombings - Government Involvement

Should we expect privacy in a World gone Web2.0?

You don’t know what you’ve lost till it’s gone? Privacy in a world gone Web2.0

Surveillance Society

UK Rolls Out Police Headcams

Spain Burns Fields to Kill Voles

Pro-Ana groups grow on social networking sites

The political compass test

About The Political Compass™

Your political compass

Economic Left/Right: -8.12 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15

Someone make them stop! Please!

Top 10 rock'n'roll landmarks in the US

Top 10 rock'n'roll landmarks in the US

1. "Riot" House

2. Elvis

3. Gram Parsons

Cordless Mouse

CORDLESS MOUSE

The Emotions that Make Us Link

The Emotions that Make Us Link

Gene for left-handedness is found

Microsoft tries to Patent Ultimate Spyware Application!

Kangaroo Invasion!

Kangaroos Invading Australian Cities as Drought Worsens

Economic Left/Right: -8.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.15