The unimportant news thread

[kishnevi]

The world is plagued by a roaming black cloud of debt, which periodically descends upon a city and crushes it. May you and yours be safe from this calamity.

Going by my  family's remarks it is not so much the debt as the fact that it will completely and totally jam up traffic.  It's Boston.  There is no place for all the extra cars and people.  One reason the Patriots settled relatively far afield in Foxboro.

[Karl Henning]

One reason the Patriots settled relatively far afield in Foxboro.

Thank heaven!

[Ken B]

Thank heaven!

Foxboro is that far?

[Karl Henning]

Far enow.

[Ken B]

Far enow.

The Blue Jays play right in downtown Toronto, on the waterfront. Schmozzle when the game ends.

[Karl Henning]

The Sox still play in the Fenway.  Frequently made a mess of the Green Line when I was trying to get home after a shift at the MFA shop.  That's something I do not miss much!

[Ken B]

Steven Pinker on free speech and related topics. 9 minutes.
https://youtu.be/B0W9sSqeJnA

[Karl Henning]

Steven Pinker on free speech and related topics. 9 minutes.
https://youtu.be/B0W9sSqeJnA

Code Select Expand

[flash=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/v/B0W9sSqeJnA[/flash]

http://www.youtube.com/v/B0W9sSqeJnA

[Ken B]

Danke

[Karl Henning]

Supreme Court upholds Affordable Care Act subsidies

[Karl Henning]

Danke

Thank you, that was enjoyable.

[ibanezmonster]

Code Select Expand

[flash=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/v/B0W9sSqeJnA[/flash]

http://www.youtube.com/v/B0W9sSqeJnA

Nice.

[Karl Henning]

Nice.

Yes.  I didn't even mind that he was plugging his two books 

[Karl Henning]

Since January, [IKEA] has used a minimum wage system that is based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Living Wage calculator, which looks at an area's cost of housing, food, medical care, transportation, and taxes. The idea, [IKEA-US CFO] Mr. Olson said, is to pay employees the amount they need to afford basic necessities where they live and work.

IKEA to raise hourly pay again. Does the flexible wage model work?

[oyasumi]

A former Baltimore officer is making a list of all the horrible things he did or witnessed while on the job.

http://thesaladbowl.kinja.com/culture-of-corruption-baltimore-city-police-department-1713627787

Targeting 16-24 year old black males essentially because we arrest them more, perpetrating the circle of arresting them more.

SHOCKER.

[North Star]

Yes.  I didn't even mind that he was plugging his two books 

Nor should you. 

FIRE President Greg Lukianoff interviews Harvard psychology professor and bestselling author Steven Pinker about his books, the crucial role dissent plays in keeping society sane, the special importance of free speech on campus, and the origins of political correctness. Professor Pinker, a member of FIRE's Board of Advisors, is the author of The Blank Slate, The Better Angels of our Nature, and The Stuff of Thought.

[Karl Henning]

Why scientists are so fascinated with how the turtle got its shell

[Ken B]

 From The New York Times 26 June 2025

The results of a poll taken today:

Question: Do you support gay marriage?
1) Yes, and rolled eyes 45%
2) Yes and did not roll eyes 45%
3) No 8%
4) Laughter 2%

Question, before this date in 2015 did you oppose gay marriage?
1) Yes 8%
2) No 92%

[Ken B]

Don't know where to leave this, so I'l leave it here. Tunisians forming a barricade against a gunman.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/11705112/Tunisia-attack-locals-formed-human-shield-to-protect-tourists.html

[Moonfish]

Why scientists are so fascinated with how the turtle got its shell

You posted this in the wrong thread, Karl! This is actually a very interesting article (and important in biology).