The coolest party favours ever were produced by NASA, and dubbed “satelloons”. Half satellite, half balloon, all science fiction. Greg Allen has all the facts. My favourite factlet from his article:
The original research proposal put forward by a Langley engineer named William J. O’Sullivan called for a 20-inch balloon, which was increased to 30 inches. These “Sub Satellites” were followed by a 12-foot diameter Beacon satelloon, the size of which was determined, not by any scientific requirements, but by the ceiling height in the Langley model fabrication room.
A great read.
Popularity: 45% [?]
If you find Richard Dawkins too militant on religion, you really won’t like Mikey Weinstein:
Our job here is to kick ass, take names, and leave sucking chest wounds on the people who are trying to engage the machinery of the state to push their biblical worldview.
More at
Mother Jones.
Popularity: 48% [?]
Ben Goldacre writes the fairest and most lucid critique of homoeopathy I have ever read. Without a trace of the indignation and outrage critics of pseudo-science are apparently obliged to work into any article (I know I am), Goldacre explains the natural phenomena at work when homoeopathic remedies appear to work, the process and failsafes behind double blind testing, and why evidence-based medicine is as important now as it ever was.
Popularity: 45% [?]
