NY Times: PowerPoint Goes to the Fair
Technology is rapidly changing the world of science, but it is only now starting to change the world of the science project, a ritual of the academic year. Now that computers are second nature to many students, some teachers are abandoning the traditional cardboard displays in favor of electronic files. Some are even creating PowerPoint templates to make it easier for students to produce a smart-looking showcase.
WiredNews — You Can’t Ignore My Wrath Researchers in Switzerland discover that, despite our best efforts, humans cannot escape anger as long as it’s within earshot.
The brain appears to place a high priority on processing urgent sounds, like angry voices, that might indicate a threat is present. So, try as we might, when someone is angry the brain cannot avoid noticing, regardless of what the fuss is all about.
E&P — Chicago Tribune chief says online subscription being studied
For the online audience we are going to program the site for breaking news, classifieds, retail, and online shopping — that will be open access. For another set, our view is that they use it as an enhancement to their newspaper. We are going to have another portion of that site as subscriber-only.
Business Week reports that Ask Jeeves has bought Bloglines, my RSS reader of choice. Other bloggers are reporting it too. Tip from Susan Mernit’s blog.
Update: Susan Mernit — Bloglines/Jeeves: The scoop on the acquisition. The leak of the story on Napsterization is creating its own discussion about whether bloggers can keep a secret. Here’s the official note from bloglines.
Om Malik, senior writer with Business 2.0, notes his digital lifestyle costs him $305 a month — more than he spends on groceries.
From Internet Retailer:
Visitors in millions for Dec. ’04, Dec. ’03, and change.
* eBay, 50.9, 49.9, 2%
* Amazon, 42.5, 37.4, 14%
* Wal-Mart Stores, 23.8, 16.7, 42%
* Yahoo Shopping, 22.6, 21.5, 5%
* Shopping.com, 19.1, 17.1, 11%
* Target, 17.5, 13.9, 26%
* Dell, 17.5, 12.7, 38%
* Best Buy, 17.3, 12.9, 34%
* Overstock.com, 14.7, 8.6, 71%
* Expedia, 12.7, 11.4, 11%
Time on the site was interesting. Time on eBay: 1 hr. 48 min.. Time on No. 2 Amazon, 27 min. Tip: Susan Mernit
Boston Business Journal — The condo speculators are back: New generation of investors bets on quick appreciation, but this time developers are setting limits
Puget Sound Business Journal — Living on an island is not always life in paradise
St. Louis Business Journal — Lee marches on St. Louis
Yelvington.com: Guardian launches branded RSS reader. Guardian’s product is called NewsPoint. Piece also says Advance and LA Times also considering it with same company Guardian is using Consenda, a company based in the United States and Switzerland.
This editorsweblog.org piece mentions the Guardian plans to follow the LA Times and use its RSS reader to deliver classified advertising.
Knight Ridder Wasinghton Bureau — Latest book puts Crichton on hot seat with scientists: Washington has embraced a Michael Crichton novel that says global warming isn’t a problem, but climate scientists say the novel is poppycock.
Sixteen of 18 top U.S. climate scientists interviewed by Knight Ridder said the Harvard-trained author is bending scientific data and distorting research.
and
Three scientists — (Martin) Hoffert, physicist Ben Santer of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab in California, and NASA’s James Hansen — told Knight Ridder that Crichton distorted their research in the novel.
and Knight Ridder Washington Bureau — Scientists respond to Crichton’s use of global warming data, studies
The Earth Institute at Columbia University — Michael Crichton’s State of Confusion. Article includes several specific references to studies Crichton referenced in the novel.
In summary, I am a little disappointed, not least because while researching this book, Crichton actually visited our lab and discussed some of these issues with me and a few of my colleagues. I guess we didn’t do a very good job. Judging from his reading list, the rather dry prose of the IPCC reports did not match up to the some of the racier contrarian texts. Had RealClimate been up and running a few years back, maybe it would’ve all worked out differently…
Also NY Times — ‘State of Fear’: Not So Hot
Liberals, environmentalists and many other straw men endure a stern thrashing in ”State of Fear,” but Crichton’s primary target is the theory of global warming, which he believes is a scientific delusion. In his zeal to expose the emperor’s nudity the author cites, ad nauseam, actual studies that seem to contradict the conventional wisdom on global warming.
Austin Business Journal: Sandra Bullock chips in $1M for tsunami relief
Entrepreneur: Fast growth: Her company tripled revenue in 2004.
Entrepreneur: Low overhead: His business has been profitable from the start.
Entrepreneur: Switching models: He didn’t like his business, so he changed it.
Sales Power Keeping current: The changes they’ve made drove an 8 percent sales rise this year.
Puget Sound Business Journal: Massive study threatened by vitamin E report scare
Entrepreneur: Springing back: After a couple of off years, his business is back and getting better.
San Antonio Business Journal: New study suggests genetic predisposition to fighting HIV infection
Entrepreneur: Seeking help: She needs an angel to get her business off the ground.