Clipmarks | thisnamecantbetaken's clips

Evolution of Life Was Stalled for 2 Billion Years

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:29:26 GMT

Evolution of Life was Stalled for 2 Billion Years

A coherent picture of the environmental conditions that led to the evolution of animal life is finally emerging. Scientists say that oxygen deficiency and a lack of the heavy metal molybdenum in the oceans had blocked the evolution of life on Earth for nearly two billion years.

The molybdenum record shows that the second step occurred around 600 million years ago, when the entire ocean became oxygenated, which enabled the rise of multi-cellular life called eukaryotes -- the category that includes plants, humans and other complex creatures.

"These molybdenum depletions may have retarded the development of complex life such as animals for almost two billion years of Earth history," said Timothy Lyons, a professor at University of California Riverside. "The amount of molybdenum in the ocean probably played a major role in the development of life."

Molybdenum levels are also a reliable indicator of oxygen levels in ocean chemistry.

Liveleak Threatened And "Fitna" Pulled

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:05:55 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: A blow against free speech. Anyway, I don't see what all the fuss is about this short film. I've seen it and it was too dumb to take seriously and esp the thunder sound effects made me laugh. Too stupid. All it's trying to do, is incite fear and hatred of Islam, but it's so obvious that it's pathetic. A similar movie could no doubt be made about Christianity too.

Clip Source: liveleak.com

Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers.
This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else. We would like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and religions, who gave us their support. They realised LiveLeak.com is a vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one.
Perhaps there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one anothers culture.
We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be heard, but in the end the price was too high.

Logo Can Make You 'Think Different'

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:02:42 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: >> “These experiments demonstrate that most any brand that has strong associations with particular traits could have the capacity to influence how we act,” Chartrand said.

Consumers should be aware that they are susceptible to influences they may not detect and use this knowledge to their advantage. “If you know you need to perform well on some task, say something athletic, you may want to surround yourself with images and brand logos that represent success in athletics.” <<

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Logo Can Make You 'Think Different'

Whether you are a Mac person or a PC person, even the briefest exposure to the Apple logo may make you behave more creatively

even the briefest exposure to well-known brands can cause people to behave in ways that mirror those brands’ traits.

“Each of us is exposed to thousands of brand images every day, most of which are not related to paid advertising,” said Gavan Fitzsimons. “We assume that incidental brand exposures do not affect us, but our work demonstrates that even fleeting glimpses of logos can affect us quite dramatically.”

People who were exposed to the Apple logo generated significantly more unusual uses for the brick compared with those who were primed with the IBM logo, the researchers said. In addition, the unusual uses the Apple-primed participants generated were rated as more creative by independent judges.

“This is the first clear evidence that subliminal brand exposures can cause people to act in very specific ways,”

Old Solar Cycle Returns

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:58:49 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: >> "Solar Cycle 24 has begun, but we won't be through solar minimum until the number of Cycle 24 spots rises above the declining number of Cycle 23 spots." Based on this latest spate of "old" activity, he thinks the next Solar Max probably won't arrive until 2012. <<

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Solar Cycle 23, how can we miss you if you won't go away? Barely three months after forecasters announced the beginning of new Solar Cycle 24, old Solar Cycle 23 has returned. Actually, it never left.

"This week, three big sunspots appeared and they are all old cycle spots," says NASA

What's going on? Hathaway explains: "We have two solar cycles in progress at the same time. Solar Cycle 24 has begun (the first new-cycle spot appeared in January 2008), but Solar Cycle 23 has not ended."

this is perfectly normal.

Eventually Cycle 23 will fade to zero, giving way in full to Solar Cycle 24

on March 25th

the smallest of the three sunspots, unleashed an M2-class solar flare.

hurled a coronal mass ejection or "CME" into space, but the billion-ton cloud missed Earth.

We could get more of this kind of activity in the next 7 to 10 days.

the next CME, if there is one, might not miss.

they can cause Northern Lights, satellite glitches and, in extreme cases, power outages.

'Earth Hour' To Plunge Millions Into Darkness

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:42:46 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: We're doing this, starting 8 pm tonight. Got beers and candles ready. Our whole town is going dark. It'll be fun to see. Join in!

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

'Earth Hour' to plunge millions into darkness

Twenty-six major cities around the world are expected to turn off the lights on major landmarks, plunging millions of people into darkness to raise awareness about global warming, organisers said.

'Earth Hour' founder Andy Ridley said 371 cities, towns or local governments from Australia to Canada and even Fiji had signed up for the 60-minute shutdown at 0900 GMT on March 29.

"There are definitely 26 (cities) that we think, if it all goes to plan, we are going to see a major event of lights going off," he told AFP.

Chicago and San Francisco, Dublin, Manila, Bangkok, Copenhagen and Toronto, all of which will switch off lights on major landmarks and encourage businesses and homeowners to follow suit.

Ridley said it was also likely that other major European cities such as Rome and London, and the South Korean capital Seoul, although not officially taking part, would turn off lights on some attractions or landmarks.

From 8:00 pm local time

Hook Your Car Up To The Internet

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:34:32 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: Nice.

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

If the thought of a long road trip without full Internet access makes you jittery, a new in-car Internet connection could fulfill your high-speed needs.

The technology will combine Novatel's next-gen modules with the CDMA EV-DO Rev A wireless network to connect moving vehicles to the Internet, essentially turning cars into traveling Wi-Fi hotspots. The network exists throughout North America, and can provide a high-speed broadband connection, with speeds similar to a home DSL line, regardless of geographic location. Cars or people up to 100 feet away could even be able to tap into the connection.

passengers could use laptops, PCs, cell phones, or any other Wi-Fi-enabled device to access the Internet. The technology is also compatible with any operating system that supports Wi-Fi

including surfing Web sites, watching movies, and playing online games.

The device works in about 95% of the US, including all major metropolitan areas.

about $600, and a monthly service charge starting at $39.

Let's Be Honest Once And For All

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:51:15 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken

Clip Source: mwcnews.net

Let's be honest once and for all. We don't elect presidents, only commanders-in-chief.

at the end of the day the majority of Americans are essentially war-willing

Commander-in-Chief of this mythical "Free World" we have self-determined to lead.

we seem to go along with those in our midst who advocate world dominance. One gets the feeling at times that we might be afraid that our feast as glutton-consumers might cease without this predatory foreign policy.

If there is one thing that defines us as a people, as a nation, it is our unwillingness to impeach Bush.

Only a grass roots level denunciation and excommunication of the neocons,

will allow Washington to formulate a necessary policy of détente before our nation can be trusted by the world at large.

A new administration without the prior cleansing of the president's office

will be seen as more of the same – an unrepentant and unashamed continuation of empire

But that's not who we are. Or, at least, let's pray we are not.

Tags: who are you?

NYC Annual Pillow Fight Day

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:31:59 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: It looks like snow.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

Another great day in the Big Apple, New York City annual pillow fight Union Square March 22, 2008

[Video]

Students Wear PinkTo Stop School Bullying

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:17:21 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks:

David Shepherd and Travis Price.

Everyday heroes.

Clip Source: www.gimundo.com

School can be as traumatizing as any battlefield.

the most cringe-worthy moment from your high school days probably doesn't compare to the humiliation felt by one freshman male

in Nova Scotia, who dared to wear a pink shirt on the first day of school last year.

The poor boy paid dearly

two seniors were sick of the abuse – so they came up with a plan

"Kids don't need this in their lives, worrying about what to wear to school,"

"That should be the last thing on their minds."

the two boys came to school armed with a pile of 75 pink tank tops, which they handed out to all of the male students to wear

more students showed up wearing something pink

around half of the school's 830 students put on something pink in solidarity.

it's led to an official Anti-Bullying Day

students are encouraged to dress in pink to show acceptance of their fellow students, proving that there's nothing wrong with showing your true colors after all.

How Can We Turn From War As A Solution?

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:57:14 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: I'm not sure how I feel about the draft. On one hand, the thought of antiwar and non-violent people being forced to join the abhorrent killing machine, is horrifying to me. On the other hand, if a nation chooses to start a war, should it only be the civilians of the victim nation, who have to pay the price? Would the apathy and nonchalance towards war fade, if everyone (able) was at risk for being drafted? If the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to drag on, (for a hundred years?) will America have any choice, but to bring back the draft? What say you?

Clip Source: www.alternet.org

How can we turn from war as the solution to our international problems?

But we need to get away from the myths and try to understand what war is really like. In this war, the only ones who pay the price are the soldiers and Iraqi civilians. That's so terribly unfair. It infuriates me. If we are in a war, the whole country should pay a price for it.

I'm in favor of a draft because I think we all would think a lot more carefully about war.

I do think it's a different experience for soldiers

It gives you a very different attitude about what war is.

I've turned against war but if we're at war, we can't have a war and all these people making money off it and living normal lives. It hurts me to see people who go about their lives while terrible death and suffering are occurring in Iraq.

America is not very good at recognizing who its real enemies are. We get it all confused with this problem of evil. We see it in others but never in us.

That's hard for people to even hear, never mind think about.

Five More Minutes !

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:29:45 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: Cont:

The man smiled and then said, "My older son Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Todd. He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch him play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities? Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today.

Author unknown

Clip Source: www.piffe.com

Five More Minutes !

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

"He's a fine looking boy" the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue sweater." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son. "What do you say we go, Todd?" Todd pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes."

The man nodded and Todd continued to swing to his heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son. "Time to go now?" Again Todd pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "O.K."

"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said,

My First YouTube Video

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:55:03 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: My boy.

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

Murphy See, Murphy Do

This is my boy, Murphy. :) He's a rescue cat. As you can see, he LOVES to watch funny animal videos. He really gets into it. Notice how, when the dog on TV falls into the pool, Murphy lets himself fall of the couch armrest too. He even knows when the commercials are on. He's the apple of my eye.

I love that cat. :)

[Video]

Tags: sweet murphy

How to Watch Any Video in HD on YouTube

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:06:29 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: It seems to work in full screen mode too. I don't think the sound gets worse, just a bit different. Give it a whirl.

&fmt=18

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

Most videos DO NOT have "View in Higher Quality" links below them like this video does. So by using this code, you'll be able to watch ANYTHING in higher quality! TRY IT! : )

HOW IT WORKS: Just enter "&fmt=18" behind the URL at the top, then press enter. WALA! Higher Quality!

THE URL SHOULD NOW LOOK LIKE THIS:

youtube.com/watch?v=27mb_AyzGyQ&fmt=18

the audio gets a bit worse after watching the video in higher quality though.

[Video]

Tags: youtube, hd, hack, &fmt=18

Easter Miracle Fish Sticks Auctioned on eBay

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:50:57 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: Another source says:

The "Good Friday Miracle Fish Sticks" have sold for about $79 on eBay.

Words fail me... On second thought, no they don't. One word does come to mind; stupidity!

Clip Source: www.upi.com

Woman auctions fish sticks on eBay

A woman in Elyria, Ohio, is selling fish sticks on eBay, claiming she found crosses in them as a sign from God honoring Holy Week, a report said.

Victoria Landis said she couldn't find it in her heart to cook the store-bought fish sticks after seeing in them what she believes is a Holy sign, WEWS-TV in Cleveland reported.

"I went to cook them one day and I poured them out into the pan and there were three kind of fused together in a way that made three mini crosses, and the way they fell on the pan it looked just like the hill where Jesus was crucified," Landis said.

Landis decided to auction them off in an effort to raise money for a family van.

EBay has a policy against selling food items, however.

Tags: holy, crap

It's Okay To Be Afraid

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:18:18 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks:

Don't let such fear rule your life.

If I did, I would never ever be able to get on an aeroplane. To say I feel fear every single time I travel by air, would an understatement. I hope the desensitizing bit kicks in soon, because it never seems to be get any easier, "flooding" or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mX9-2xuyP8

Clip Source: www.paulstips.com

It's okay to be afraid

We all get scared sometimes. It's just part of us to feel a little fear from time to time. Even silly things that we feel adults shouldn't be afraid of sometimes just get us all anxious. This is perfectly normal.

In fact, it can even be healthy. Prisons are filled with people who have less fear than average. It's the lack of fear that puts many people in jail.

After all, fear is really worrying about possible negative consequences.

But sometimes, our fear circuits haven't adapted to the modern world.

Realise that you're going to be scared in many situations, even if it's irrational to be so.

Rather than avoiding such situations, or running away from them, try to distance yourself from the emotional reaction you have. Feel the fear and do it anyway

I think such anxiety never completely disappears, no matter how many times you experience the situation.

Force yourself to act even though your emotions may be screaming at you to run away.

It's okay to be afraid.

it's natural.

Tags: ugh