a plan to save the netherlands

H to the 8K

Happy Hannika!

Growing up in a sporadically practicing Jewish family, I harbored a quiet animosity toward Hanukkah. I know what you're thinking: What's not to like about Hanukkah? Eight crazy nights of loot compared to Christmas' paltry one; potato pancakes and chocolate coinage to offset the seven-month aftertaste of April's gefilte fish; and no schlepping to synagogue to atone for stolen Snickers bars or playground teasing.

[Read the rest of my Hanukah essay in the Sunday Oregonian. And my account to brave an adult spelling bee is here, in Portland Monthly mag.]

google’s gatekeepers - nytimes.com

Google’s Gatekeepers - NYTimes.com

online jihadists plan for 'invading facebook' | danger room from wired.com

Online Jihadists Plan for 'Invading Facebook' | Danger Room from Wired.com

does a president shape our language?

The other day, President-elect Barack Obama said: "President Bush graciously invited Michelle and I to meet with him and first lady Laura Bush." Not surprisingly, grammar jockeys were quick to seize upon Mr. Obama's wording as yet another example of the degradation of correct English.

I must confess that I, too, cringed at Mr. Obama's grammatical misstep. In my head, booming in surround sound: Invited Michelle and me! But then I bristled again, this time at myself, for what is arguably an unjustified reaction... Read more in the Dallas Morning News

do you buy it?

Left-handed people are more inhibited - being-human - 03 November 2008 - New Scientist

Hmm.

the problem with low-lying coastal cities...

is that the water's right there. And rising.

How will Venice's underwater dam work? - By Jacob Leibenluft - Slate