Obamacare and the Republican War on Competence : The New Yorker.

This is a concise and well-written critique of the current Republican agenda.

Project Ara: Inside Google’s Bold Gambit to Make Smartphones Modular | TIME.com.

This project is a good interpretation of the PhoneBlocks concept. I’m particularly excited to see it being developed by a large handset maker, though the recent sale of the consumer phone side of the business doesn’t necessarily bode well for seeing a product result from the project. I’m also dubious that there is enough consumer demand for a modular phone (my own personal interest notwithstanding).

Raffi Khatchadourian: Can an Audacious Plan to Create a New Energy Resource Help Save the Planet? : The New Yorker.

This is an interesting and depressing story about ITER and fusion reactors. It doesn’t seem likely that the project will ever succeed with it’s current bureaucratic structure.

Now Antidepressant-Induced Chronic Depression Has a Name: Tardive Dysphoria | Psychology Today.

This is a rather disturbing read and should give pause to anyone thinking of taking antidepressants. The pharmaceutical industry should be called to task to answer to this information, though their response is all but assured to be naught but denial of such effects or even knowledge of such a possible outcome. The prerequisite to line their pockets makes the testimony of any representative of large business suspect (at best). I hope that additional information is forthcoming on this subject, we are the proverbial blind being led by the blind. Our understanding of the brain is woefully inadequate to our desire to control, or even just to tweak, it.

FMS: Feature [Part I: Igor Stravinsky on Film Music].

In some sense it is fascinating to see an artist rail against the progression of art and the coming new paradigm. It is also a bit famiar, the old guard dismissing a new medium. The rebuttal is perfect, as is Stravinsky’s reported remarks on it:

What’s with Raskin? Why does he attack me?

Wood: Is It What's For Dinner? on Vimeo.

This is a good way to present science ideas to the general public. I can see this specific technique getting old, but the general idea of Kickstarter style video presentation might see more micro funding opportunities.

Via MeFi.

Too Honest Moms: Futility.

Whack-A- Mole | Momastery.

The Winter Olympics Would Be Much So Better With Superheroes.

The Last of Us — Futures Exchange — Medium.