As all computer geeks know, it's very difficult to wipe out a virus, and I mean eradicating it completely from the world. The fight against real-world viruses, the kind that attack humans and animals, is much, much more difficult. Viruses have evolved into the most abundant type of biological entity on the planet.The idea of eradicating one sounds like an impossible … [Read more...] about Eradicating a Virus
Turkey Tom Lawsuit
It's still October, but it's not too early to get into a Thanksgiving atmosphere. Jimmy John's is suing Halsted Street Deli (a local sandwich shop here in Chicago) over the names of two sandwiches. Jimmy John's uses the sandwich names "Turkey Tom" and "Hunter's Club" while Halsted Street Deli uses "Tom Turkey" and "Hunt Club".I don't know. I understand that trademarks … [Read more...] about Turkey Tom Lawsuit
Lightning Photo
I saw this photo of lightning striking the Statue of Liberty and was impressed. It's a really cool photo taken by photographer Jay Fine, but what impressed me was that it took less than two hours and only 80 shots before he got the photo he wanted. As someone who has spent many hours in the early morning, on the coldest day of the year in Chicago, getting frostbite on a finger, … [Read more...] about Lightning Photo
Norm Pattis Fights Evil
So there I am, reading Norm Pattis's latest missive: The government has seized the life savings of a hard working couple whose son was growing marijuana in their basement. The feds also want to seize the couple's home. There is no evidence to suggest the couple was complicit in their child's activity. None. The pot was in a remote corner of the basement behind a wall. You … [Read more...] about Norm Pattis Fights Evil
The Cost of Murder
A team of researchers at Iowa State University has just published a paper that estimates the cost to society of several violent crimes. Led by Matt DeLisi, an associate professor of sociology and director of the criminal justice program, the team came up with the following numbers: Crime Social Cost2008 US$ Murder 17,252,656 Rape 448,532 Armed robbery 335,733 … [Read more...] about The Cost of Murder