Nerd spirit
Sneak a peek at this essay that talks about the advantages of being a "nerd". Pseudo metaphysical and pretentious, with the hip-hop and Hindu philosophy as its flag, meet the hottest group, N.E.R.D (No One Ever Really Dies), the new generation of rappers.
Not another action movie
Here a column on Dick. K Philip's latest adaptation for the screen (Minority Report), a tale about genetic predisposition and free will, and the correlation with reality.
A new kind of blockbuster films? I hope so.
Med
A new experimental therapy that "washes" Alzheimer's toxins off the brain is being tested. Also, vitamins E and C may reduce the risk of developing the disease.

Eating nuts lessens heart risk, a recent study says.
Tech
And static could be the key for deaf people.
Do robots have feelings?
Apparently the answer is yes. The Emotional Model for Intelligent Response (EMIR) proves it, read it next.
Urgent calls, this way please
Ok, you may have the latest and tiniest cell phone model, but you certainly don't own a tooth that rings, do you?
Taking care of the environment
And "bioplastic" packing that melts away.
   July 1st, Monday, 2002, ip nº18
Leaving the stage
"I can't compete with 20-year-old kids"


I have another artist's cliché to add to the list. There's a time in every artist's life, a kind of "resignation phase", when things start appearing as definitive, and the idea that at a certain age changes are more difficult to accomplish (if not impossible) seems to be the motto. Consequently, they quit interacting with the world, and repetition comes in. Phrases like "I'm getting too old for that" abound, and there's a tendency to wear sober dark clothes and look serious.

Cheer up guys! there're lots of things that old people like you still can do…
Link: http://www.riorevuelto.org/site/ip/ventana.php?id_articulo=973
Enough is enough!
Bush: Bring Back Library Filters


Then, a group of stories describing different regulations several governments intend to adopt in order to restrain certain web contents and control the net. I was amazed to read so many articles (published only in the lapse of a few days) on these issues, I mean, this certainly seems a global agreement on how to pest off civil right defenders as well as simple Internet users.

First, the Bush administration is planning to fight for the Internet library filters in the Supreme Court. This endangers free speech rights, and doesn't only concern pornographic contents but also unobjectionable material that can eventually be blocked with this manoeuvre.
Link: http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,53389,00.html
Afterwards, new regulations that can affect the fluidity of navigation in the net.
Link: http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,53419,00.html
An Internet manifesto by the editor of Wired Magazine.
Link: http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,53358,00.html
Finally, Russian authorities strive to restrict net activities supposedly in response to the antigovernment factions´ activities.
Link: http://news.com.com/2100-1023-938810.html?tag=cd_mh
Escape room
Panic room is a must-have for rich and famous


It seems that there has been an increasing demand of "panic rooms" since the September 11 attacks and recent rises in violent crime (of course, among who can afford it). This suggests a growing paranoia and an extreme reaction generated by reality disruptions, which make people see the world with a new distrust and situate the enemy in the wrong place.
Link: http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,742372,00.html
An ocean for that drop
The New Suicide Bombers: Larger and More Varied Pool


Here, a story about the "new of culture of suicide bombers" in the Palestinian society that's becoming a dangerous social phenomenon, through the testimony of a deserter suicide bomber. The note includes topics like the extended spectrum of possible candidates and the manipulation of the youth with illusory arguments like the sacrifice for the nation and martyrdom. Yet the most remarkable is the shocking "truth" some proclaim, that claims there's no point in living this life in sight of a better and higher stage: the afterlife!
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/21/international/middleeast/21SUIC.html?todaysheadlines
Then, another aspect of his conflict. Understand why the West Bank's Jewish settlers are so determined to stay, and more stories about rooting.
Link: http://www.observer.co.uk/worldview/story/0,11581,742360,00.html



More on Us government's failures: messages between people in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia intercepted on Sept. 10 are now revealed, find out next.
Also featured: the Secret Service briefly evacuated the White House, in sight of a possible dangerous situation, concluding in a false alarm.
And, a House subcommittee supported a bill for guns in commercial jetliner's cockpit.
On death penalty issues: Justices says death penalty decision is up to juries, not judges.

Scientists have found signs that the Earth recovered amazingly faster from historic asteroid collision than it was previously thought.
And it seems that space is color of latte.
"A unifying experience"
When almost the entire market is down, people continue to rush into the cinema. In times of uncertainty and stress, going to the movies would seem a sort of integration ritual that could comfort many of us.
A committed relationship
Then a report on high-speed Internet users, their habits, and their relation with the online world.
A big, big family
In this article Pavarotti talks about his determination to retire in 2005, and about his desire to marry his fiancé and have "one or two or ten" kids.

Go to "burned out celebrities" section.