Monday, May 31, 2010

WEB BOHEMIAN (Monday, May 31, 2010)
(1)- GENTRIFICATION AND URBAN DISCONTENT – Michael Sorkin, architect and critic, and urban sociologist Sharon Zukin have each written what they describe as books about contemporary New York City—but that’s putting things far too broadly.

(2)- THE INEXPLICABLE -- In 1991 a survey by the Library of Congress and the Book-of-the-Month Club found that with the exception of the Bible, no book has influenced more American readers than Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand.

(3)- BE HAPPY, HAVE $$$ -- We spend a lot of money trying to buy things that will bring us enjoyment. Yet, we all know people with plenty of money who are still not very happy. So, what can money buy you that will make you happy?

(4)- KOSTNER SOLUTION – Actor Kevin Costner has invested 15 years and about $24 million in a novel way of sifting oil spills that he began working on while making his own maritime film, "Waterworld," released in 1995. It will be tested now.

(5)- STAY DOUR – Married, be warned: Don't enjoy yourself too much. Economists identifY a phenomenon called the 'Happiness Gap,' stating the bigger the difference between spouses' satisfaction levels, the greater the break-up risk.

(6)- ALFALFA SPROUTS – An alfalfa sprout salmonella outbreak sickens nearly two dozen people in 10 states, including an Oregon infant, and sparks a nation-wide recall. The sprouts, sold in 18 states, sent at least 4 people to the hospital.

(7)- DALAI TWEETS -- Dalai Lama twitters with inside China, answering questions about the fate of Tibet. It is unknown how many inside China read his comments. Twitter is blocked in China, but activists find a way around controls.

(8)- INVASIVE ASKING -- Today, three columns of invasive questions across 28 pages are asked in the companion to this year’s census- the American Community Survey. The census has 10 questions, but ‘long form’ data is also gathered.

(9)- ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT – Canadian police investigate an uptown Ottawa bank firebombing and identify suspects. All live in Ottawa and are linked to an anti-establishment network. The bank was attacked because it sponsored the Olympics.

POLITICAL COMMENTARY

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