Archive for August, 2008

Guten Taaaaaag!

Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (1) : Aug 28th, 2008

Let them have a drink

There’s been a flurry of activity on the interblogs about the national drinking age (still holding steady at 21). A number of college presidents are calling for a more rational approach–a discussion that we desperately need to have.

Federal legislators coerce states into keeping the drinking age at 21 by withholding highway funds for any states that don’t comply. (In my mind, another example of federal overreach, but that’s for another day).

Not long ago, many states (including Wisconsin) allowed drinking at the age of 18. As part of the [overwhelmingly effective] War on Drugs, this was raised nationally to 21. (Another side note - we seem to have an extremely flat learning curve on the efficacy of various drug prohibition schemes.)

Here’s the reality–most college students enter school at 18 or 19 years of age. The atmosphere on most college campuses is very friendly towards drinking. House parties are commonplace and alcohol is readily available to anyone with a bit of cash (regardless of age). I know of very few college students who patiently await their 21st birthday before drinking alcohol. (Zero, to be precise).

And here’s the problem. Every bartender has the legal obligation to stop serving customers when they’ve had “too much”. Bars are staffed with [sober] bouncers to control the rabble rousers and are reasonably safe places to socialize and drink.

Contrast that with the college “house party”. The clientele is usually underrage and drinking heavily. The drinks are prepared by amateur bartenders who are happy to serve anyone as much alcohol as they can handle (and then a little more). Fights, assaults, and theft is common. In short, a pretty crummy place to learn to drink responsibly.

Here’s the best part–there’s a pretty easy solution to this little problem. I agree with the notion that drinking at 18 can be problematic since it makes for easier access to alcohol in high school. But 21 is too old. What about 19 and 20?

I think 19 would be an age for legal drinking in the US. This would encourage young adults to drink responsibly in bars instead of the aforementioned house party. Now if only those bums in Washington would let the states decide!

Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (4) : Aug 27th, 2008

Viral Marketing at its finest

This is really clever. Well done, EA Sports.
Anyone know which agency produced the ad?

Hat tip to Shane!

Filed under culture, technology : Comments (2) : Aug 22nd, 2008

Mashup art at its finest

. . . I can’t help but wonder. . . what would John McCain make of this video? Is anyone out there following him on twitter?

Thanks @b_samic

Filed under culture, politics : Comments (3) : Aug 21st, 2008

Give us clean energy

Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Aug 20th, 2008

Listening past the Snap, Crackle and Pop

Muttmutt writes :

Both Slashdot and Wired recently reported on a guy who’s been digitizing his collection of more than 6,500 78 RPM records. I decided to check it out for myself and discovered a lost world of wonderful music that hasn’t seen the light of day in decades.

Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under culture, hack, sites i like, technology : Comments (2) : Aug 16th, 2008

Multiverses, explained!

Every now and again I’ll hear a podcast that really makes me think. Like brain overheating think. The kind of think where you feel like if you stop concentrating for just a second you’ll slip and lose it all.

What a satisfying feeling!

WYNC’s Radio Lab did just that for me with a podcast about Multiverses and the theory of infinite copies of everything we know. It’s complex, but they do a really good job of making it approachable (as approachable as complex quantum physics can be).

If you have long drive, run, or other mindless task coming up, download this one and listen to it. It’s that good.

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Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (1) : Aug 13th, 2008

Into the Heart of Darkness: 10,000 words from Alan Keyes

Muttmutt writes:

When I saw that WorldNetDaily (aka WorldNutDaily) had published an essay / monograph / diatribe / ranting by Alan Keyes, I just had to dig into it to see what this man could possibly have to say for 10,000 words. I can’t say it was enlightening (since his perspective comes right out of the dark ages), but it was amusing. Read the rest of this entry »

Filed under culture, politics : Comments (2) : Aug 13th, 2008