- Book on McCain and his racist remarks to be released on July 4th. Titled Gook: John McCain’s Racism and Why It Matters. I understand the bitterness that someone can have from a war, but racial slurs are not acceptable under any circumstances. But considering that McCain called his wife a cunt in 1992, I think that McCain may be less racist and more rude, inconsiderate, and insensitive (to put it very lightly). (via angry asian man)
- A (relative) old-timer expounds on the difficulties of dating when you’re a gay Asian male. In the past, many gay Asian males date Caucasian guys in America to the point where it’s “revolutionary” to date another Asian guy. Seeing how many Asian women also date Caucasian men (and also are burdened with the submissive stereotype), it says to me three things: (1) there are lots more Caucasian men than Asian men in America, (2) Caucasian men are likely to have the pick of the litter because of their social desirability, and (3) the Asian submissive stereotype is not limited to women. But still, since the gay dating pool is so much smaller, it becomes clear how straight (or bi) people have it so much easier when it comes to racial dating politics.
- The 2008 Sexies winners have been announced. What are the Sexies? They are awards for sex-positive journalism. The Sexies are not about sensationalism, but are looking for accurate and unbiased stories that treat sexuality as “something other than a problem or prurient curiosity”. (via Greg Laden)
- Buck Angel, A Man With a Pussy: LGB Without the T. An article about the divide between transgendered people and everyone else—even gay people. But the trans rights movement is on the rise. Trans people have been left out of the cultural narrative (in a positive way) for so long; it’s about time to include them. (via The Ch!cktionary)
- The Taiping Rebellion, or How the Religious Crazy Happens in China, Too. China in turmoil. Charismatic person believes himself to be Jesus’ little brother wants to spread Christianity (and overthrow the government) to end turmoil. Said person killed twenty million people. Startling history lesson. (But without the Taiping Rebellion, we wouldn’t have Mahjong.) (via denialism blog)
- Being gay may be due to pre-natal hormone levels and what that means. Homosexuality is not learned behavior, but it doesn’t seem like it’s genetic either. Theories now say that it could be exposure to hormones in the womb. If so, then homosexuality can be screened and “cured”. (via Gene Expression)
- A scientist’s reflection on how creationism is fighting for the science classroom. Creationism doesn’t belong in a science class, but that doesn’t mean that all creationists are fervent, close-minded, religious adherents.
- Advice on learning math for the mathphobe. Many ex-mathphobes also share (in the comments) their own struggles and also give advice.
- Norway legalises gay marriage. Previously, gay couples could get civil unions but not church ceremonies or could they adopt. The new law takes effect January 1st.
- Emma Grant, senior vice-president of engineering for the computer-database company Ingres, says that men and women code differently. But she says that women code more helpfully, including comments, while men write more cryptic code without such aids for other programmers. Like hell. When someone codes, he or she is supposed to provide comments and documentation. People who comment their code are good programmers. Those who don’t need to go back to Coding 101.
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Amber Ying is a figment of the Internet. In real life, she is an undergraduate student of biology and chemistry at Colby-Sawyer College. Amber likes kittens, postmodern American literature, public policy, and cheesecake. She dislikes eggplants, parking tickets, and cobblestone streets.
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The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not "Eureka!", but "That's funny …"
Isaac Asimov
