A well-known and respected computer-security researcher was detained for several hours Wednesday night by border agents who searched his laptop and cellphones before returning them to him.
Source: Another Hacker’s Laptop, Cellphones Searched at Border | WIRED
When did it become okay to check anyone, whenever, without cause or suspicion? Or, perhaps more accurately, when did everyone become suspicious?
Companies spend billions on rent, offices, and office equipment so their employees will have a great place to work.
However, when you ask people where they go when they really need to get something done, you’ll rarely hear them say it’s the office.
If you ask, you’ll usually get one of three kinds of responses: A place, a moving object, or a time.
Source: Why the office is the worst place to work – CNN.com
Obviously, as with all generalizations, there are exceptions. However, for “creative” jobs (programming, music, graphics, art, writing, designing, etc.) I think this is largely true.
Want to talk politics with your neighbour? Better ask permission
Source: Liberty, privacy and some bottles of beer | The Economist
So, if someone in Seattle with a job that pays $100/hour spent 5 hours a month writing a political blog, would they have to file as a “grass-roots lobbyist”?
Less than half the surgeries, drugs and tests that doctors recommend have been proved effective.
Source: Weekend Special: Reckless Medicine | Care And Cost
“Reckless Medicine” by Jeanne Lenzer & Shannon Brownlee
originally published on 2010-11-20 in Discover Magazine, November 2010 issue
Alternate link:
http://attentiallebufale.it/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Discover-Reckless-Medicine.pdf
Next time your doctor talks to you about surgery, make sure you do your own research too so you can provide actual informed consent. The poor doc’s life is hard enough learning HOW to do all the things demanded of them without being omniscient statistical gods about whether or not any of it is actually right for you. It would be convenient if they could, but they are just people too. Give them a break and do your part to keep yourself healthy.
People habitually underestimate their energy consumption
Environmental asceticism has created a vogue for upgrading light-bulbs and tweaking thermostats. But according to a new piece of research, many of these actions—however virtuous—arise from faulty perceptions of energy savings.
Source: Watts up? | The Economist