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Particle physicists believe they will throw open a new frontier of knowledge on Wednesday when, 100 metres (325 feet) below ground, they switch on a mega-machine crafted to unveil the deepest mysteries of matter.
The most complex scientific experiment ever undertaken, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will accelerate sub-atomic particles to nearly the speed of light and then smash them together, with the aim of filling gaps in our understanding of the cosmos.

It may also determine the outcome of novel theories about space-time: does another dimension -- or dimensions -- exist in parallel to our own?

After nearly two decades and six billion Swiss francs (3.76 billion euros, 5.46 billion dollars), an army of 5,000 scientists, engineers and technicians drawn from nearly three dozen countries have brought the mammoth project close to fruition.

At 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT) on Wednesday, the first protons will be injected into a 27-kilometre (16.9-mile) ring-shaped tunnel, straddling the Swiss-French border at the headquarters of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

via Physorg.com

Headcrabs for everyone!

The lack of evidence has not stopped doctors from heavily prescribing that drug, whether in a stand-alone form sold as Zetia or as a combination medicine called Vytorin. Aided by extensive consumer advertising, sales of the medicines reached $5.2 billion last year, making them among the best-selling drugs in the world. More than three million people worldwide take either drug every day.

But there is still no proof that the drugs help patients live longer or avoid heart attacks. This year Vytorin has failed two clinical trials meant to show its benefits. Worse, scientists are debating whether there is a link between the drugs and cancer.

Researchers reported last month that patients in three clinical trials had a 40 percent higher chance of dying from cancer if they took Vytorin instead of a sugar pill or another medicine, although the leader of that study says the finding might be due to chance.

The FDA, protecting the people corporate interests since 1992.

“A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim.”
— George Santayana

Reminds me of the GOP convention, where all they seemed to do was redouble their efforts to appeal to the fringe, holier-than-thou religious wackos.

All but one...

(this is why I love art)

Seriously, this absolutely sent chills up my spine:

Al Qaida terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America, and [Obama is] worried that someone won't read them their rights.

But that fear, as bad as it was, was incredibly trumped just scants seconds later when the whole fucking crowd actually CHEERED that statement!

Holy shit, how fucking crazy has the GOP become?? Do we not know what the fundamental principles of America are anymore?

With Comcast's potential evil decision to "cap" monthly internet usage, here is an interesting and detailed article regarding how British ISP's get charged for their own access to the internet. Not directly relevant, but still insightful in a way I've never seen anyone here in the US talk about the costs of 'unlimited' bandwidth.

From Peru 2008

More coming soon(ish)

For a free Obama sticker, you can go here.

In the spirit of fairness, for a McCain sticker, you can go here (but you have to pay $1).

[Here is a place that will send you a 'Nobama' sticker (love how they don't bother to support their candidate, but only denigrate the opposition) for free, but you have to send them a self-addressed, stamped envelope (and you will likely get it 4-6 weeks after the election).]

No... Dear Abby.
No, wait... Dear Adobe?

NSFW. Absolutely hysterical. Just love Dr Ken's llamé, velour pajamas, too.

I don't think he wants any love…

as seen at MAKE magazine

In a galaxy far, far away...