canadian_right - Slashdot User

+ - War on Brains-> 0

Submitted by

canadian_right

on Thursday August 12, 2010 @11:20AM

canadian_right writes "Just how deluded are some politicians? Did you know Albert Einstein's theory of relativity is a Liberal plot? How about "the separation of church and state" in the USA constitution being just Jefferson "being quoted out of context". Are there any republicans who believe in evolution? These and more amusing samples in the articles video."
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+ - Okla Legislator Proposes Bill Condemming Dawkins 0

Submitted by

canadian_right

on Monday June 01, 2009 @12:45AM

canadian_right writes "The introduction to the resolution says it best:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives encourages the University of Oklahoma to engage in an open, dignified, and fair discussion of the Darwinian theory of evolution and all other scientific theories which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma.

So much for freedom of relgion."

+ - New Material for Lithium Battery discovered 2

Submitted by

canadian_right

on Monday May 18, 2009 @07:29PM

canadian_right writes "Canadian scientists create new material with the potential to triple the power output of Lithium batteries. The new material uses sulphur formed into nano-scale ribbons for the cathode instead of traditional transition metals. The break through could lead to better batteries for everything from latops to cars."

+ - Canadian fined for Videoing Movie in Theatre 0

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canadian_right

on Saturday November 15, 2008 @07:08PM

canadian_right writes "A Calgary man was fined $1495 and banned from theatres for a year in the first conviction under a new Canadian law making recoding a movie in a theatre a crime. The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association was disappointed that jail time was not given."

+ - Quebec Sued for Buying MS Software 0

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canadian_right

on Wednesday August 27, 2008 @08:37PM

canadian_right writes "Quebec Sued for Buying MS Software

Quebec law states that the government must tender all purchases unless "there is no option". Facil is suing the government of Quebec saying they are abusing this loophole and not considering other software option, including free Open Source software.

Facil is asking the court to force the government to tender all software purchases, and legal cost, but not any damages."

+ - Study Hints at Time Before Big Bang 0

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canadian_right

on Saturday June 07, 2008 @10:40PM

canadian_right writes "Scientists from Caltech have found hints of a time before the Big Bang while studying the cosmic microwave background. Not only does the study hint at something existing before the Big Bang, it also hints at our universe being created as a bubble pinched off this previously existing universe."

+ - Facebook Study Group not Cheating 0

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canadian_right

on Tuesday March 18, 2008 @08:29PM

canadian_right writes "Student facing expulsion over a Facebook study group will not be expelled. The student was officially reprimanded and was given a mark of zero on one assignment. The Student Union was disappointed that any punishment was given, but sees it as an overall victory."

+ - Perdido Street Station 0

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canadian_right

on Monday October 22, 2007 @10:29PM

canadian_right writes "Perdido Street Station is a wonderfully complex fantasy set in the city of New Crobuzon. New Crobuzon is almost a character itself — a complex and vividly drawn city full of dark corners, industry, politics, and citizens of many races. It is a working city with river ports, industry, effective government, and various boroughs each having their own culture. Mieville uses a literary and dense style of writing full of inventive metaphor to bring his creations to life. Humans are the main inhabitants of New Crobuzon, but Catus (hulking vegetable people), Khepri (insectoid), Garuda (flying) and other minor races also play a part in the city and its story.

Much simplified, the story is that Isaac, a scientist, stumbles upon a plot that has released a horror on the city. Not trusting the city officials to stamp out the horror (Isaac expects the city government would try to capture and exploit the horror) Isaac sets out to kill the horror himself with the help of a few close friends, and some unexpected allies. The politics and factions of the city, the actions of the various players, and the details of the sub-cultures of the city all combine to make a great read. The first third of the book is spent leisurely painting a picture of the city, and introducing the characters who will soon be driving a very imaginative and unpredictable plot. While the first part of the book is fairly slow paced, I enjoyed reading it just for the style. The plot picks up speed about a third of the way in and never relents until the end.

While Isaac and his band attempt to solve the city's problems themselves, the city government is also active. The city is old, the rulers pragmatic, and they have access to many secrets. The city council tries old-fashioned brute force, but when that fails they try more and more arcane methods. Isaac and the city council both want to save the city, but they often find themselves at cross-purposes, which makes Isaac's task much riskier. As the main plot unfolds, Mieville weaves in a number of interesting sub-plots that shows the reader the richness of the world New Crobuzon exists in, adding nuance and texture to an excellent book.

This is a fantasy, but one where science studies magic, and gun-powder and steam engines co-exist with seers and multi-dimensional monsters. I greatly dislike authors who use magic as a Deus Ex Machina, but Mieville uses magic sparingly and consistently to enhance the mood and plot of his story. Magic is something that people can have a knack for, but study is required to master and build on ones natural talent.

I highly recommend Perdido Street Station to any one who enjoys well-written English and gritty, well plotted fantasy.

China Mieville's wiki page"

+ - "Burning" Sea Water-> 0

Submitted by

canadian_right

on Wednesday September 12, 2007 @12:56AM

canadian_right writes "A technique for "burning" sea water was accidentally discovered when an RF generator was used in an attempt to desalinate water. The water doesn't burn of course, but the RF generator frees hydrogen from the water that can then be burned. A test-tube of sea water resembles an odd candle when lit using this technique. No word on if the hydrogen released has more energy than the electricity used by the RF generator."
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