Sunspots 719

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

Christianity: A Relevant article suggests that Christian couples (and others) should argue more.

Computing: Lifehacker reports on using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). You are using one, aren't you?

Gizmodo discusses whether or not it's OK to touch your computer screen or monitor.

Gizmodo on what happens to Facebook accounts when the owner dies.

Gizmo's Freeware recommends https://pinetools.com/ for many kinds of free on-line tools.

Finance: The trade deficit has gotten wider, including with China, in spite of President Trump's campaign to reduce it. One reason for the increase is that Americans are more prosperous now than a few years ago, and, thus, buy more stuff. Here's another article about that subject.

Health: Gizmodo reports on a child who wasn't vaccinated. His treatment cost over half a million dollars, and was excruciating.

Michael Gerson on confusing political freedom with science (he is arguing that Senator Rand Paul should not be questioning the value of vaccination).

Humor: (or something) NPR reports on some interesting items in those fine print agreements that most of us click on (or sign) without reading. (Including, in one case, getting a $10,000 check.)


Politics: Catherine Rampell on how rolling back regulations hurts consumers, especially when enforcement is also rolled back.

FiveThirtyEight discusses the six wings of the Democratic party. Interesting. Two questions, though. Was the author aware that there are supernatural creatures with six wings in the Bible? (Isaiah 6:2) What on earth does "performative wokeness" mean? (That phrase was in the article.)

A USA Today editorial is sorry to see the FDA chief resign. According to the column, he actually wanted to protect consumers. The columnist also points out that the Trump administration has increased red tape requirements on some of the poorest of us, and wants to add more of such burdens.

Science: Gizmodo and other outlets report that a new species of killer whale may have been discovered.


The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, I believe, it is public domain.
Thanks for looking!

Sunspots 537

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

The Arts: (or something) Lego-like blocks have been produced, only they are large enough to build real furniture and buildings.

Christianity: Relevant on "How Worry Warps Your View of God," and how to get the right view back.

Benjamin L. Corey gives 12 signs that you got your "Biblical" Worldview from Fox News (not the Bible).

Computing: Gizmo's Freeware reviews free Virtual Private Networks.

Finance: From the New York Times, an interactive web site that helps you decide whether to rent or purchase a home, based on your own data.

Health: Relevant wants to know "Why Don't Churches Ever Talk About Physical Health."

Politics: Benjamin L. Corey also thinks that some people go way too far in their defense of gun rights.

Science: In a report published this week in Nature, we learn that there are about three trillion trees on the earth.

Wired reports that royal jelly doesn't result in queen bees in the way we have thought it did.



Image source (public domain)

Sunspots 534

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else: 
 

The Arts: Relevant has some questions for us to ask ourselves before we watch an R-rated show.


Computing: Gizmo's Freeware has an annotated list of the best free Windows apps, in several categories.


Gizmo's also tells you how to hide the live tiles in Windows 10. The article also tells about a program that restores the Windows 7 interface to Windows 10.


Gizmo's has begun to rate for-pay items. They have rated the best Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. In case you haven't heard of VPNs, you should have. They shield you from, say, someone hacking into your motel's network (or the one at your home or business).


From Windows Secrets: How to make the lithium-ion batteries in most modern information appliances last for years (and how not to!)


Humor: (Sort of) FiveThirtyEight examines people's behavior when they split a check for a meal. Interesting.


Science: Wired reports on a giant starfish that can catch fish.
 
In a photo, Wired also demonstrates that crystallized DNA is beautiful.
 
National Public Radio reports on why different animals have different pupil shapes.

Image source (public domain)