Technology Withdrawl

Okay, so it's not a total technology withdrawl, but I'll be away from my computer from today until sometime Wednesday. While I do have unlimited access to the Internet from my new phone (thank you, Sprint!) I haven't quite figured it all out yet. Therefore, I won't be able to add content to my various pages. I will, however, be able to check e-mail, which is cool.

I'll just have to take my trusty notebook with me and make notes about what I'll be doing to my web pages once I get home. Maybe this will be a good time for some old-fashioned brainstorming!

Another Reason Not To Play Video Games

I've known since the early days of Pac Man & Space Invaders (remember ATARI?) that video game playing & the addiction that comes with it are dangerous. There are numerous articles declaring the detrimental effects of gaming, whether it's using one of the popular game consoles or playing interactive games online. Desocialization, aggression, and physical ailments are a few of the ever-rising effects, not to mention the personal relationships that are disintegrating due to the tunnel vision gamers acquire.

Everything in moderation. Easier said than done.

Killer app: Game consoles contain hazardous chemicals

Don't eat your Xbox, says Greenpeace

By Ben Silverman

The next casualty in the console war might be you.

In their new 'Playing Dirty' report, environmental organization Greenpeace found that all three home video game consoles - Sony's PS3, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii - tested positive for a variety of hazardous chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), beryllium, bromine, and phthalates.

The latter, found in relatively high levels in both the Xbox 360 and PS3, are not permitted in components of toys or childcare products sold in the European Union. However, game consoles are not classified as toys and therefore are not subject to existing legislation.

"Whether game consoles are classified as toys or not, they can still contain hazardous chemicals and materials that could harm humans. The technology is available for the manufacturers to design out toxics and produce greener game consoles now," said Greenpeace's Dr. Kevin Brigden in a press release.

The report found that all three systems also contained significant levels of bromine, a chemical linked to impaired memory functions and other health problems. One of the phthalates found in the 360 and PS3, a chemical called DEHP, is also known to interfere with sexual development in mammals, especially males.

Hold on -- you don't need to start wearing a cup made of reinforced steel every time you play Halo 3 just yet. Greenpeace points out that the three console manufacturers have "avoided or reduced uses of individual hazardous substances in certain materials within their consoles." Nintendo's Wii showed no traces of beryllium in its electrical contacts, the Xbox 360 used fewer brominated materials in its housing materials and the PS3 circuit boards were bromine-free.

"Our test clearly shows that a greener game console is possible, said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "By combining the best practices of each console design, we could replace most of the hazardous chemicals found in these game consoles with toxic free materials."

And whatever you do, don't dump your broken 360 in the trash. The group has further identified game consoles as key contributors towards a growing waste product called "ewaste." Once console have reached the end of useful life, the group said, game consoles are "often dumped and end up in unsafe and dirty recycling yards in developing countries, where toxic contents harm both the environment and the health of workers."

YUCKY!

Giant beetles seized at Pennsylvania post office

2008-05-14 18:38:11

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Customs agents seized more than two dozen giant beetles — some the size of a child's hand — from an overseas package after postal workers heard the insects making scratching noises.

The large bugs arrived last week from Taiwan at a post office in Mohnton, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, in a box whose contents were labeled as toys, gifts and jellies, officials said Wednesday.

But the postmaster suspected the package contained live organisms and notified authorities, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. The package was sent to Philadelphia, where it was X-rayed and then opened.

"The specimens were some of the largest of their kind, and some of the largest I've ever seen, averaging five to six inches in diameter," John Plummer, an agency agriculture specialist, said in a statement Wednesday. "They are highly destructive insect pests that can cause extensive damage to fruit and vegetable crops, trees, shrubs and turf grasses."

In all, authorities found 26 Hercules, rhinoceros and Goliath beetles. It is illegal to ship live beetles into the United States without a permit from the Department of Agriculture.

Seven of the beetles were in containers labeled by gender, which means they could have been intended for breeding, customs agency spokesman Steve Sapp said Wednesday.

The sender and recipient have been identified, Sapp said. An investigation is under way, but no decision has been made whether to file charges, he said.

"It's the way of the future."

Funny how things that have gone out of style seem to creep back in!

High gas prices drive farmer to switch to mules

2008-05-21 19:51:01

MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — High gas prices have driven a Warren County farmer and his sons to hitch a tractor rake to a pair of mules to gather hay from their fields. T.R. Raymond bought Dolly and Molly at the Dixon mule sale last year. Son Danny Raymond trained them and also modified the tractor rake so the mules could pull it.

T.R. Raymond says the mules are slower than a petroleum-powered tractor, but there are benefits.

"This fuel's so high, you can't afford it," he said. "We can feed these mules cheaper than we can buy fuel. That's the truth."

And Danny Raymond says he just likes using the mules around the farm.

"We've been using them quite a bit," he said.

Brother Robert Raymond added, "It's the way of the future."

New In The News

Another bit of good PR for the company!

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/idealmedia/bw0508/index.php?startid=18

Guilt & Conscience

An old drunk staggered into his home and collapsed on his floor. His faithful old dog snuggled up to him and waited for him to wake up.

Suddenly, around midnight, the dog began to bark. It barked and barked. It was the last thing that old drunk wanted to hear. He stumbled to his feet, grabbed a wooden chair and threw it at the dog.

To read the rest of the story, and the blog in its entirety, go HERE