Blowing a Whistle – NYTimes.com.

This post by Friedman perfectly sums up the wrong-headed argument that some people use to justify extensive government intrusion into the personal lives of U.S. citizens and the secrecy with which such programs are run. Fear should never be the arbiter of policy. Certainly fear can inform an area that needs attention, but the type of actions taken should be based on rational observation and discussion of the issue. Hiding your head in the sand and asking others to do whatever it takes is not a reasonable or rational response. This is exactly what Friedman is suggesting, because the nature of these programs is unknown to the general public, resulting in an inability to hold rational discussion.

Washington Post.

It’s really not that hard to address the problems with the government programs. But fear, not rational and intelligent analysis, are driving decisions about our national security apparatus.

Is the U.S. Still the Land of the Free? – Bloomberg.

This is a good overview of what’s wrong with the current security/intelligence practices in the U.S. The issue is government secrecy and over-reach, and just plain bullying tactics in regard to it’s own interests.

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast – Episode 130 – Mike DeStefano.

This is an incredibly intense episode. The frankness of the talk is just amazing. I didn’t know DeStafano before this, but now I want to soak up all his stuff.

Focus? You mean Discipline. — Design + Startups — Medium.

A great reminder in what’s important to … focus … on when you’re attempting to be productive, to learn, to grow, to make.

3D-printable food? NASA wants a taste | Ars Technica.

Not quite a Star Trek type “food replicator” but it’s a start. Well, it will be once they actually make one.

Newegg nukes “corporate troll” Alcatel in third patent appeal win this year | Ars Technica.

Awesome! The way it should be.

This phosphine will get you fired | Org Prep Daily

“You feel that your nose just suffered a stroke and will hopefully die and peal off so that you never smell that thing again.” via MetaFilter

Quote and Comment.

This is a great breakdown of a joke Obama gave and brilliantly demonstrates how comedy can expose the sad truths of our society. Equivalence in arguments is only valid in the games played be debate clubs. In the real world more weight should be given to the facts. Misguided attempts at providing equal opportunity to speak when one of the speakers is using falsehoods in their arguments benefit no one.