Interesting Links for 18-2-2011

[andrewducker]

• “In a civil union” is now a relationship status option on Facebook.
  (tags: lgbt relationships facebook)
• A fascinating in-depth discussion of multiculturalism. Best reaction I've seen to the recent fuss.
  (tags: europe multiculturalism culture society uk)
• A speech transcript from the guy who makes sure that vile bastards on XBox Live get kicked from the game.
  (tags: xbox microsoft internet communication)
• BBC manages to track down someone who doesn't want a job. (video/audio)
  (tags: work jobs welfare uk)
• Why Isn't Wall Street in Jail? (Because the people that police them don't want to do their job)
  (tags: politics finance fraud government corruption wallstreet)
• William Hague Announces: "I should Never have been Tory Leader"
  (tags: voting av uk)
• Photos of people in the same poses and clothes, decades apart. Very cool.
  (tags: photography photos inspiration art people)
• Fascinating report on the last UK election. 2/3 of elected MPs had less than 50% support. 2/3 of electorate in safe seats.
  (tags: elections voting uk fptp av)
• I just gave £14 to the Yes To Fairer Votes campaign. You can donate here if you'd like to help.
  (tags: av voting fundraising)
• UK house-building at lowest level since 1923.
  (tags: housing uk)
• Andrew Hickey's book on Batman, Dr Who, Quantum Physics, liberalism, postmodernism (and more!) is on special. Buy it!
  (tags: book comics drwho writing postmodernism politics physics AndrewHickey ebooks)
• Written or unwritten - is there a perfect constitution? (Comparing the US and UK constitutions)
  (tags: usa uk government)
• Florida Governor Rejects Funding for Tampa-Orlando Intercity Rail Project. (Purely partisan decision by the looks of things)
  (tags: usa transport trains florida)
• Why the Lib Dems are having a very good day (welfare reform, gay marriage, human rights, forests, growth, social mobility and AV)
  (tags: libdem government uk)
• Why a belief in manifest destiny is dooming America.
  (tags: usa investment technology)
• China's wages are up 10%/year in real terms over the last decade. Workers slowly getting more rights too.
  (tags: rights pay globalization china)
• Ed Miliband tightens his grip - all public statements by Labour shadow cabinet members now need clearance.
  (tags: labour politics uk)
• What's in the Welfare reform Bill? (Anyone care to point me at a critique?)
  (tags: welfare uk government)
• NO-SH*T CURE FOR BALDNESS discovered by accident (in mice so far, but looks good)
  (tags: baldness mice science)

Comments

[burkesworks.livejournal.com]

Every time I hear Iain "Duncan" Smith blathering about "hand-outs" rather than benefits, I feel like smacking him in his smug, over-privileged mouth.

[bugshaw.livejournal.com]

Photos of people in the same poses and clothes, decades apart. Very cool.

Really cool, but I have no idea why.

[andrewducker]

I think it triggers the same thing that seeing a 13-year-old nephew that you haven't seen since they were 3 does. The realisation that this is the same person, and someone quite different, at the same time. A kind of shock, and awe :->

[matgb]

That constitution article wound me up in so many ways. I know USians think that a constitution has to be on one bit of paper to exist, and that's a cultural blindspot, but if he's going to write lauding the UK constitution he could at least understand it.

Bogdanor was the final arbiter in May? WTF? Nothing to do with Gus O'Donnell who has, literally, written the book on the subject and was in charge of the process, or indeed the Queen, who had the final say and that was understood by all involved.

Stuff like that sometimes puts me off the idea of encoding everything, if it confuses morons and journalists.

Heh,I am grumpy today.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

In re the piece on multiculturalism:

God saw truth in the street. The Devil picked it up and said, "Let me organize it for you".

[andrewducker]

I like that a lot.