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Category: News

  • Today’s daily mail thread: Is Britain becoming too tolerant?

    Quote:

    For centuries Great Britain has served as a safe haven for refugees from political persecution. The reason Britain has been so attractive is its long tradition of political tolerance. This is history Britain ought to be proud of, even if it has been abused by people such as Karl Marx.

    What made Britain unique was that the British public was tolerant of larger issues such as politics and religion while remaining decidedly intolerant of petty issues. The curtain-twitching disapproval of "alternative lifestyles" remained strong in Britain until the 60s generation rebelled against such moral sternness. While Britain in the 50s was a repressive society in many ways that many could not accept, just because Britain has a proud tradition of tolerance, it does not mean that intolerance does not have its own advantages.

    To see what a society looks like when tolerance goes wild, observers only have to look at southern Europe or much of the third world. China shows what a socially tolerant society looks like. While China is not tolerant of political differences, the people are generally tolerant of behaviours that would not be acceptable in Britain. In China, smoking, talking loudly, using mobile phones in theatres or restaurants is perfectly normal behaviour. This is extended to a nearly complete indifference to public spaces and to other people that comes as a surprise to any newly arrived visitor to the People’s Republic. Driving in China is usually a shock even to those used to third world traffic as other drivers simply ignore anything not a direct danger to themselves.

    As an example of the problems of excessive tolerance just compare the status of larger social issues such as crypto-science. While anyone in Britain who makes dubious claims for medical treatments can expect both the wrath of the authorities and public disapproval, in most of the rest of the world tolerance is extended to those claiming they can cure cancer or HIV with herbs.

    In fact in China belief in the benefits of Chinese herbal medicines is extremely common, despite a noticeably lack of evidence to support such views. This extends up and down the social scale with the most educated Chinese often also being the most credulous towards such claims. Qian Xuesen, the American-educated founder of China’s rocket programme, for instance, was also a strong supporter of various Qigong groups, including Falun Gong before it was banned.

    This tolerant attitude may well have played a part in China’s lack of an industrial revolution. For while British tolerance has not allowed the persecution of heretics in recent times, that has not been extended to their ideas. British scientists have inherited the Christian tradition of intolerance and that has driven technological progress.

    This intolerant attitude is frequently displayed by writers such as Richard Dawkins, who shares the similar zeal for error as the Inquisition, while being unable to use their methods. In a more tolerant society people would wonder why he bothered. Albert Einstein may have wasted half his life trying to disprove quantum theory but science would never progress if errors were not exposed. Without the zeal to hunt out error, there is no need for people to hold a coherent and consistent world view. Without criticism from others there is no need to examine deeply held views to see if they are valid. It may well have been the tolerance of traditional China that meant the scientific revolution never took place and hence China did not industrialise.

    As the British have become more tolerant of petty transgressions it is no surprise that such behaviours have increased. Litter is much more common than it was 50 years ago, as is antisocial behaviour in general. However, this increasing tolerance extends from the housing estates to the Houses of Parliament. Behaviour that would have led to resignation half a century ago is now viewed with benign tolerance. Civil servants are not dismissed no matter how badly they manage public projects; politicians no longer resign no matter how badly they have behaved.

    None of this is inevitable. Litter is not unavoidable and should not be tolerated. The waste of billions of pounds in badly designed IT projects is not a fact of nature but a blot on society we choose to accept rather than challenge. We can find our inner Inquisitor and we should express disapproval of behaviour that we do not need to tolerate. Britain can be the tidy, clean and safe place it was 50 years ago if only we, as a society, have the will to embrace intolerance for antisocial behaviour.

    So this holiday everyone should express a little mild disapproval when someone cuts you off on the road, or towards a youth who puts his feet on the railway seats or towards a tourist talking loudly in an art gallery. Should that intolerance be extended to people who try to sell you miracle cures or homeopathy or crack brained schemes to save the world, the frontiers of science may well be extended as well. Who knows, but if that intolerance is applied to politicians who take advantage of the system or who are just incompetent, British democracy may well benefit as well.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf…lerance-virtue

  • God of War III European site launched

    Good news, European Kratos fans! Sony has now launched the European God of War III website.
     
     
     
     

  • CAN 2010 – Angola

    Site Oficial

    http://www.can-angola2010.com/index.htm

    Grupo A – Luanda

    Angola
    Mali
    Malawi
    Argélia

    Grupo B – Cabinda

    Côte d’Ivoire
    Burkina Faso
    Gana
    Togo

    Grupo C – Benguela

    Egipto
    Nigéria
    Moçambique
    Benin

    Grupo D – Lubango

    Camarões
    Gabão
    Zâmbia
    Tunísia

    Calendário

  • ¿Como hacer para densificar una ciudad?

    Esa es mi pregunta ya que veo que muchos foristas ponen el grito en el cielo porque se tiran casas para levantar edificios..
    ¿Entonces como hacer para densificar montevideo sin tirar casas y levantar nuevos edificios?
    En el proceso como evitas las medianeras que tanto odian muchos, porque no se mantiene como se debe total al poco tiempo o años levantan un edificio pegado y listo…

  • Samsung releases NX Series DSLR

    500x_samsung_nx10_front

    Samsung just announced what amounts to their own micro four thirds DSLR with 3-inch AMOLED screen and DSLR-sized sensor. The camera should be available in the Spring but we’ll definitely see it at CES this week where all the hot gadgets will be hanging out.

    Not much to tell right now but it records video at 720p resolution and takes shots at 14.6 megapixels. I still haven’t seen a micro four thirds/mini-DSLR I’ve liked so this had better be amazing.

    via Giz


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  • Slain Canadian soldiers, journalist return home from Afghanistan

    Slain Canadian soldiers, journalist return home from Afghanistan (CTV News with video).

    Posted in Calgary, Canada, politics, Video, World, World Affairs

  • Samsung hops on Atom N450 bandwagon with N210, N220, N150 and NB30 netbooks

    Keeping the news flowing fast and furious, Samsung has come with a quartet of new netbooks, distinguishable primarily by their battery life. The N210 and 220 take the lead with a purported 12 hours of “connected mobility,” while the NB30 (11 hours) and N150 (8.5 hours) are none too shabby either. The N150 differentiates itself with an “integrated hinge,” while the NB30 focuses on durability with a HDD protection sensor and a water-tight seal that protects the netbook from up to 50cc of water. Still, the machines do share a lot, including an Atom N450 at their heart, and a 10.1-inch anti-reflective screen, plus — you’d be better sit down for this — mark- and scratch-resistant casing. Does this mean the end of the fingerprint-loving netbook? We can only hope so.

    Samsung hops on Atom N450 bandwagon with N210, N220, N150 and NB30 netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Dell, Toshiba and Gateway Core i3 laptops get revealed early, joined by Pine Trail netbooks

    And just like that, the CES 2010 on-switch has been well and truly pressed. After HP, Sony and Lenovo all exposed their hardware to the world prematurely, it was inevitable that other companies would “accidentally” follow suit. Thanks to CNET’s snooping, we’re now staring at a trio of new Core i3 models from Dell, Toshiba and Gateway — highlighted by an unannounced ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 powering a 1600 x 900 15-inch display on the Gateway, which also squeezes 500GB of storage under a shockingly low $692 price tag. On the Atom front, the Mini 210 is joined by a Toshiba NB305 — sporting the N450, 250GB HDD, up to 11 hours’ claimed battery life, and a $438 sticker — as well as Gateway’s effort with a smaller 160GB HDD but also suitably reduced $285 asking price. Hit the links below to get freshened up on all the juicy details.

    Read – FutureShop.ca (Gateway NV5905H)
    Read – FutureShop.ca (Toshiba Satellite L500-00F)
    Read – Costco (Dell Inspiron 15)
    Read – FutureShop.ca (Gateway LT2102H)
    Read – FutureShop.ca (Toshiba NB305-00F)

    Dell, Toshiba and Gateway Core i3 laptops get revealed early, joined by Pine Trail netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Shoveling Snow

    I like shoveling snow.

    Well, I don’t really like th actual act of shoveling, especially since the sidewalk in front of my building is so uneven. But I do like the opportunities shoveling snow affords me. Snow shoveling is a cheap, easy way to help out and maybe show you care.

    For example, the building next to be is vacant. So no one really shovels there. When I am out there shoveling in front of my building I just look over to the next one and I imagine a little old lady or kid coming down the sidewalk there, slipping and falling and hurting themselves. I can’t stand the idea, so, I shovel that building.

    I don’t get any extra credit. The owner isn’t there to thank me. The little old lady who didn’t fall down isn’t going to thank me and leave me with her estate after she passes. Nope, I just like the feeling I get when I have done something nice.

    Some days, if the storm is real bad, I’ll go around and help two or three people dig out their cars. I get offered money, I get asked what I want. I tell them I don’t want anything, I just want them to help someone else out some time. Yeah, I saw the movie “Pay It Forward”. I think its a pretty good idea, even if the reality is that almost no one pays it forward.

    Today, perhaps I went a little overboard. I shoveled my place, then I walked one block to the YWCA one block over and salted the icy patches. Then I walked another block over to clear out the sidewalk in front of a friend of mine who happens to be christian who is going through a tough time. I cleared out her sidewalk, salted it and built two snow heads (they sort of look like Sesame Street character heads) for the kids. I’m waiting to see if she claims that God gave her a gift.

    The point is that you are already out there with a snow shovel. You are already bundled up. A little extra work goes a long way. It’s a great feeling to help someone out who really needed it.

    Go forth and shovel.


  • Julie Benz Joins “Desperate Housewives”

    From Dexter To Desperate: Julie Benz is heading for Wisteria Lane.

    The ex-Dexter star has reportedly been cast in the role of Debbie — a stripper with a Master’s degree in education — on the campy ABC dramedy Desperate Housewives. Julie’s Dexter character, Rita, was murdered on the fifth season finale of Showtime’s critically-acclaimed series last month.

    Benz is booked for at least three episodes, the first of which is scheduled to air next month.

  • Google’s Eric Schmidt on What the Web Will Look Like in 5 Years

    I am late on this one. But the Oct 27, 2009 video is still worth watching.

    * Interesting: Chrome’s tabs have individual address spaces (like an OS) to enhance security.

    [via ReadWriteWeb HT Alyssa]

    Posted in China, Google, Science & Technology, Video, World, YouTube

  • Home Star “Cash for Caulkers” program

    Homeowners looking to improve their home’s eco -rating may be getting a tax break if Obama gets his way. Obama’s newly proposed HOME STAR or “Cash for Caulkers” program would be a federal program, not unlike the Cash for Clunkers program, Cash for Caulkers is a green-minded program meant to help homeowners increase their home’s energy efficiency wit direct incentives. However this program has an additional employment component. According to Efficiency First, the program would help put a quarter of a million skilled but currently unemployed construction workers back to work.

    tax break for green homes

    Basically the program would pay homeowners up to half the cost (up to $4,000) to retrofit a house with eco-friendly attributes. HOME STAR has two concurrent tracks: “SILVER STAR, which creates jobs immediately with little additional training, and GOLD STAR, which is a higher quality, performance based system with certification and verification of performance standards. Over time workers – and the industry – would advance from SILVER to GOLD STAR.”

    In the SILVER STAR track homeowners qualify for incentives based on a list of eligible eco-friendly measures such as white insulating roofs, wall insulation, air sealing, weatherization, duct sealing, lighting and other energy efficiency “low-hanging fruit.”  The GOLD STAR track is a performance-based incentive that rewards actual, audited energy savings – which seems a little hard to track if you ask me, so we’ll see. The program documents note that this would “Start with an energy assessment prior to work that includes energy modeling to predict savings using accredited, specially trained contractors. After the work is complete, it undergoes third party quality assurance audits. Any combination of retrofit measures that results in 20% reduction would be eligible for $3,500 in incentives, with each additional 5% reduction achieving another $1,500 in incentive.”

    No matter which track, gold or silver, total Federal incentive cannot exceed 50% of the homeowner’s contribution. It’s estimated that the $23 billion dollar program will retrofit at least 6 million houses and lower the 17% unemployment rate in the construction industry.

    See the White House press release and the Home Retrofits for American Jobs, Efficiency and Economic Growth HOMESTAR, aka “Cash for Caulkers” (pdf) memo.

    [image via stock.xchng]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Home Star “Cash for Caulkers” program

  • Thank God that I am a diabetic.

    Yep. Thank the Lord God Almighty that I was diagnosed as a diabetic. My son has been thirsty, hungry, and sleepy. He is 14 years old. He said that he really started getting thirsty the day before Christmas.

    Well, on December 30, my wife was bugging me to check his sugar. I had checked them both about 9 months ago, and they were fine. Both were in the high 80’s. I checked him, and he was 454. I was horrified, and made him wash his hands, I washed mine, 454-ish again. We got his pediatrician on the phone, used my wife for a base, she was 86. He was 525 this time. The pediatrician said to take him in. I stopped everything to let him eat, he was hungry. I knew in the back of my mind that he was in trouble.

    I checked him after eating the sandwich, and he was too high for the meter to read. He and I left immediately. My wife took my 5 year old to a friends, and we spent the last 3 days at Egleston Childrens Hospital. He is a type 1.

    He was so depressed last night. He is doing better today. He has his Novalog pens, I saw my first ones at the education classes, I knew he would like them. I am getting some for myself. We are going to get them for Lantus injections as well. He is doing much better today. He is seeing that other than a few shots a day, not a whole lot is changing for him. He is so young and strong and in such good shape, he is an outside kind of young man. He was caught and diagnosed so quickly, he hasn’t had time to suffer the damages that I had to endure in order to finally get checked.

    Blessings come in different, sometimes unimagined ways. If I had not already been a diabetic for 15 months, I would not have had a meter on hand, nor would my wife have noticed his symptoms. Thank God. If that is why I became a diabetic, then it is worth every minute of it in order to help my son.

    We all know what could have happened if he had continued being undiagnosed, and went out of town like he and my wife had planned for the weekend.

    I taught him a new word, I may have seen it here first, likely I did. He and I are now diabuddies. He loves that.

    Best –

  • Panamericana Norte | Ancón – Pativilca | Ruta 1N – Red Vial 05

    Hola.. Feliz Año :lol::lol: Recién vuelvo a mi estado de conciencia… y justo hoy sale el sol :ohno:. Bueno.. acá mi primer thread del año.

    Ruta 1N | Red Vial 05 | Ancón – Pativilca

    La Red Vial Nº 5 abarca los tramos:

    • Ancón – Huacho (103 Km.)
    • Ancón – Puente Chancay (22 Km.)
    • Huacho – Pativilca (57 Km.)

    Estos tramos suman un total de 183 Km. (incluyendo las variantes) Fue entregada en concesión el 15/01/2003 con la suscripción del contrato entre el Estado Peruano y el Consorcio Concesión Vial (Norvial), integrado por Graña y Montero S.A., BESCO S.A. y JJC Contratistas Generales S.A.

    • Plazo: 25 años (2003 – 2027)
    • Retribución: 5.5%
    • Inicio: Ancón (Km. 44)
    • Fin: Pativilca (Km. 204)
    • Tráfico promedio: 6000 vehículos ligeros y pesados diarios.

    Norvial recibió construida la vía de doble calzada entre Ancón y
    Huacho, en donde no se tiene programado efectuar construcciones.
    Como toda obra de infraestructura que debe durar muchos años,
    seguramente será necesario efectuar algunas mejoras en este
    tramo, para lo cual será importante efectuar modificaciones al
    contrato de concesión.

    Mantenimiento de la autopista actual:

    Vista del Serpentín de Pasamayo antes y después de la concesión:

    La doble calzada termina en Huacho, y a partir de este punto Norvial
    está ejecutando las obras de la nueva autopista, en dos etapas,
    para reemplazar al antiguo trazo que pasaba a través de varias
    ciudades, mejorando así la seguridad y disminuyendo el tiempo de
    viaje para las personas.

    Mapa de la concesión:

    • En rojo: Nueva Panamericana Norte (nuevo trazo. Actualmente sólo está construida una calzada)
    • En blanco: Antigua Panamericana Norte (pasó a ser una vía regional)

    El proyecto consta de dos etapas.

    Primera Etapa:

    • Primera calzada -obra terminada-
    • Intercambio vial Huacho -obra terminada-
    • Intercambio vial Pativilca -obra terminada-

    Segunda Etapa:

    • Segunda calzada
    • Intercambio vial Huaura
    • Intercambio vial San Nicolás
    • Intercambio vial Barranca
    • Paso a desnivel Centenario
    • Paso a desnivel San Martín
    • Paso a desnivel Perú
    • Dos puentes peatonales

    La primera etapa ya ha sido culminada, incluido el nuevo trazo de la Panamericana Norte en el área de concesión. Así, hoy se evita pasar por centros urbanos mejorando el tránsito de la vía y mejorando los niveles de seguridad.

    Trazo de la Panamericana Norte anterior:

    Nuevo Trazo de la Panamericana Norte:


    Intercambio Vial de Huacho:


    Nuevo puente sobre el río Huaura:
    Se construirá uno al lado cuando esté lista la nueva calzada.

    Nuevo puente sobre el río Pativilca:
    Al igual que en Huaura, se construirá uno al lado para la nueva calzada.

    Intercambio Vial de Pativilca:

    Obras complementarias a lo largo de la concesión:

    Semáfotos Provisionales:
    Cuando se construyó la nueva Panamericana Norte, lejos de los centros urbanos, se tuvo que expropiar diversar áreas y planificar intercambios viales en los cruces con las diversas carreteras costa-sierra que cruzan el tramo concesionado. Los intercambios viales se construirán en la segunda etapa, junto a la nueva calzada. Mientras tanto, se ha colocado semáforos provisionales para evitar accidentes fatales.


    Más fotos:



    Segunda Etapa:

    Como pueden ver, el gobierno anterior puso plazos demasiado largos para la culminación de la segunda calzada. Habría estado lista recién el 2020.

    Con la concesión de los tramos Pativilca – Trujillo y Trujillo – Sullana, era importante negociar con el concesionario el adelanto de las obras programadas y así tener lista la autopista en menos tiempo. Norvial ya emprendió estas obras.

    Fuentes:

    Presentación de Norvial: http://www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/home/co…vial%20web.pdf
    MTC: http://www.mtc.gob.pe/portal/home/co…s_redvial5.htm

    Todas las imágenes y la información pertenece a Norvial.

  • Jardim Japonês de Belo Horizonte.

    Jardim Japonês de Belo Horizonte

    Estas fotos foram tiradas no Jardim Japonês de Belo Horizonte que fica na Fundação Zoobotânica na Pampulha. É um lugar muito agradável e merece uma visita de quem vier em Belo Horizonte. Próximo do Jardim Japonês há um outro parque chamado " Parque Ecológico " onde há um Memorial da Imigração Japonesa, o qual também vale a pena ser visitado.
    O paisagista que fez o jardim foi Haruho Ieda.
    Dedico este thread a todas as " Batians" ( avós japonesas ) ao redor de todo o mundo e também o dedico à forista Déa , que me ensinou o significado da palavra japonesa "Batian".
    ( Fotos tiradas com a câmera Panasonic Lumix de Marcelo Lisa em 2008 e hospedadas no Photobucket de Marcelo Lisa )

    Espero que gostem das fotos e as comentem! 🙂

    1-Pórtico:

    2A-Que sensação de paz!

    2B-
    3A-
    3B-
    3C-
    4-Outro ângulo:

    5-
    6-
    7-
    8-
    9-
    10-
    11-
    12-

    E aqui o fotógrafo que não é um japonês mas sim descendente de italianos e portugueses. Hehe ( a foto abaixo é do Jardim Botânico que fica ao lado do Jardim Japonês no Zoo de BH):

  • What Singeporean cities do you know by name?

    …and how many of this kind of threads do we need until each recognised and unrecognised country has its own thread?

  • Región Norte (Cibao) | Plazas Comerciales, Centros Comerciales

    Plazas Comerciales, Centros Comerciales en la Region Norte

  • Jennifer Aniston Mexican Restaurant

    Friends foodie Jennifer Aniston has unveiled plans to open her own restaurant in a tony section of New York City.

    The actress is hoping to indulge her love of cooking and spicy cuisine with an upscale Mexican joint in the heart of the Big Apple, Hollywood.com reports. The Marley & Me actress will follow in the footsteps of Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker, who owns her own Mexican American restaurant in Los Angeles called Beso.

    Ramblings of Jen’s plan to open the establishment hit the Rumor Mill last summer, but the actress only recently confirmed that she is in chats to join the food industry.

    “If all goes well I hope to open a Mexican restaurant in New York City in 2010. I love Mexican food. I’ll mingle with customers and be a guest waitress,” she said.


  • David Beckham Clothing Line

    Move over, Posh: There’s another Designing Beckham following your high-stepping stilettos into the world of fashion. We hear soccer ace David Beckham has signed a lucrative deal to design a full menswear range as part of the golden couple’s DVB Collection. Becks, who has served as spokesmodel for Emporio Armani Underwear, is often photographed done for the Gods in some of the entertainment world’s most dapper fashions.

    “David has been consulting the same people who have worked with Victoria on her extremely successful fashion ranges and Armani dapper he’ll there are big plans,” a spy close to the negotiations spilled to London’s The PEOPLE this week. “David is really into fashion, it is a real passion of his so it made sense that he designed his own. It is going to be a real money-spinner. He and his team are hoping that it will go global,” the tipster tattled.”He has had the idea for a while but doesn’t want to get too involved until the World Cup is over because that is the big thing for him right now.”

    After retiring from the pop industry in 1998, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has created a multimillion dollar fashion empire with her line of jeans, sunglasses, and trendy dresses.


  • Best of Smartphone Experts, 3 Jan 2010

    Last week was a good one as usual for SPE, but next week we’ll be blowing the walls out for CES: expect plenty of CES coverage from all of our sites. This year we’ll have our biggest team ever at the show and are pumped up. All that CES coverage means we’ll be taking the week off from the Smartphone Round Robin (excepting another group podcast on The Cell Phone Junkie, stay tuned!).