This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on August 4, 2009). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
Sometime between July 30th and August 4th, I thought this stuff was interesting. You might think so too!
- How Netflix Gets Your Movies to Your Mailbox So Fast — chicagotribune.com: "If you subscribe to the DVD-rental service, the Netflix warehouse, which you know must exist somewhere; which a P.O. Box on every Netflix envelope suggests does exist; which processes your Netflix queue with alarming efficiency; which you bet will be as magical as you imagined if you ever stumble on it, overrun with dancing Oompa Loompas in matching jumpsuits of Netflix red, is one of those mythical New Economy temples. Like an Amazon warehouse. Or an Apple warehouse. One imagines miles of pop ephemera between its brick-and-mortar walls — one imagines that limitless building from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' but with 15,000 copies of ' Confessions of a Shopaholic.' The truth is stranger."
- Fla. Highrise Has 32 Stories, but Just 1 Tenant: "A large, circular fountain in front of the building is dry. The automatic glass doors that lead to the front lobby are locked. On the front desk is a guest sign-in sheet. The last entry: Feb. 13, 2009. [Over time,] the building grew more deserted. The lights on the pool and palm trees were off. Their garbage shoot was sealed, a trash bin placed in front of their unit instead. Despite the empty units, they faithfully parked in their assigned spot on the second story of the parking garage. Then those lights went off, too. Then there were security concerns. One night, someone pounded on their door at 11 p.m. They called the front desk at the next door building, which contacted police. A search turned up no one, though a pool entrance was open. Another morning they awoke to find lounge chairs in the pool."
- Study: Redheads’ Extra Pain May Cause Fear of Dentists: "Studies have indicated that redheads may be more sensitive to pain and may need more anesthetics to numb them. New research published in this month's Journal of American Dental Association found that painful experiences at the dentist might cause more anxiety for men and women with red hair, who were twice as likely to avoid dental care than people with dark hair." This report does not surprise me in the least. Three guesses as to why, and the first two don't count.
- 10 Worst Evolutionary Designs: "8 Slug genitalia. Some hermaphroditic species breed by wrapping their sex organs around each other. If one of said members gets stuck, the slug simply chews it off. What. The. Hell?"
- Northwesterners not acclimated for record heat: "You might find it hard to believe at the moment, but your body was built for heat. Experts say humans are remarkably adept at coping with high temperatures — but that doesn't lessen the misery for Northwesterners who saw temperatures records topple Wednesday as Sea-Tac airport reached 103 degrees." Some interesting facts and tidbits in this article about how our bodies deal with heat, and how we acclimate.