Newsletter 433

[1]The Browser
Links:
1. http://thebrowser.com

[5]It's Already Happened
Links:
5. http://b.rw/ru4RYu

James Meek | LRB | 14 September 2011

Superb, highly readable essay on commercialisation of Britain's national
health service. And that's not something I thought I'd ever write. But it's
a fascinating story from the pioneers of hip replacement ops to lobbyists of
today [6]Comments
Links:
6. http://thebrowser.com/articles/its-already-happened

[7]Scientists On Trial: At Fault?
Links:
7. http://b.rw/oXtY0j

Stephen Hall | Nature | 14 September 2011

Italian seismologists failed to evaluate true risks of an earthquake that
devastated city of L'Aquila and killed 300 in 2009. Now they find themselves
on trial for manslaughter. A watershed case that raises many questions
[8]Comments
Links:
8. http://thebrowser.com/articles/scientists-trial-fault

[9]The First Across The Continent
Links:
9. http://b.rw/nTa5nP

Howard Eisenberg | Air & Space | 1 September 2011

Wonderful account of Cal Rodgers's epic quest to become first man to cross
America by plane. Essentially bounced along, from one crash landing to the
next. Total flight time? 49 days. Only thing to bother him? A shortage of
cigars [10]Comments
Links:
10. http://thebrowser.com/articles/first-across-continent

[11]Varieties Of Irreligious Experience
Links:
11. http://b.rw/ogPFGg

Jonathan Rée | New Humanist | 14 September 2011

Outstanding on evolution of atheism and complexity of religious belief.
Rationalists should realise modern believers "may not accept the idea of God
as an actually existing entity, so arguments for atheism will not disturb
them" [12]Comments
Links:
12. http://thebrowser.com/articles/varieties-irreligious-experience

[13]Whitey’s Payback
Links:
13. http://b.rw/pmITSw

TJ English | Newsweek | 13 September 2011

Report on the trial of mob boss Whitey Bulger: “This guy controlled the
entire criminal justice system in the state of Massachusetts. And he’s still
got that attitude. He’s going to be cute. He’s going to try to manipulate
people" [14]Comments
Links:
14. http://thebrowser.com/articles/whitey’s-payback

[15]Teenage Brains
Links:
15. http://b.rw/q0XgdR

David Dobbs | National Geographic | 15 September 2011

Moody. Impulsive. Maddening. Why do teenagers act the way they do? Writer
argues that some common teen traits could have an evolutionary purpose.
That's to say, they're ideal for preparing adolescents for adult life
[16]Comments
Links:
16. http://thebrowser.com/articles/teenage-brains

FiveBooks Interview

[17]James Randi on Scepticism
Links:
17. http://thebrowser.com/interviews/james-randi-on-scepticism

The former magician sharpens his knives against proponents of flim-flam,
pseudoscience and the so-called paranormal. And tells us where the creator
of Sherlock Holmes went very badly wrong [18]Read on
Links:
18. http://thebrowser.com/interviews/james-randi-on-scepticism