Chattails 05.03.08
The inveterate and peripatetic Kottke debuted a new feature last week that I think eminently worthwhile. It’s just the kind of conversational fare that livens up a soiree or dinner party, keeping you in the know and your friends in the dark as to how you manage to find the time to keep so well… informed. It’s a weekly list of interesting facts that didn’t warrant a post, but deserve mention nevertheless. Besides, what better arsenal than a quiver of topics to venture into the weekend with. Naturally, all suggestions, ideas, etc., are most welcome.
Barack Obama is poised to run the first privately financed general-election presidential campaign since the mid 1970s. One reason for the move away from public funds is that Obama could raise more many than would be available to him through the public financing program. [WSJ]
According to author Clay Shirky and IBM researcher Martin Wattenberg, Wikipedia represents about 100 million hours of human thought. Compare that to 200 billion hours of television watched in the US every year. [kottke]
Over the last six decades, the real incomes of middle-class families grew twice as fast under Democratic presidents as they did under Republican presidents. The real incomes of working-poor families grew six times as fast under Democratic presidents. [NY Times]
OPEC members will take in nearly $1 trillion in income because of record crude oil prices. [Reuters @ National Post]
A Berkeley study indicates that children who attend daycare or playgroups cut their risk of the most common type of childhood leukemia by about 30%. [BBC]
The starting price for a 1000-year-old olive tree is around €18,000. The trees are popular as landscpae art for wealthy homeowners, golf courses, and resorts. [WSJ]
SUV sales are down and with them, their prices. The rising cost of gas is to blame. Many dealers won’t even accept SUVs as trade-ins. [AP]
eÆsthete
Q: What natural gift would you most like to possess?
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