14
POPSDowntown business district bans outdoor photography Silver Spring, Md., where I spent a lot of time as a kid, now has a "revitalized" downtown area, where, as it turns out, you are not allowed to take photographs. Why? The main business street, though it was built and paid for with taxpayer money, was "vacated" by the county and leased to a private developer, who now manages the space. This says a lot about the demise of the commons and of public space in the U.S., I think. The photographer in question comments: "I wonder if people know they traded their rights for a Potbelly’s and a Starbucks" (source: http://snipr.com/1nmvg). Also see the discussion at http://flickr.com/groups/dcphotorights/
0
POPSPaying gasoline taxes without buying the gasoline Personally, I understand the need to fund road work but think enforcing traffic laws against those who tear up the road with unsecured falling objects from their truck, carrying more weight than legal, and busting up the side rails in DUI's, should be the way to prevent damage and pay for new roads. This guy deserves a tax break, he's certainly put enough money back in the economy paying for the conversion and all that oil.
9
POPSForget about corn-based ethanol, it won't help us The economics of using corn as a fuel are completely screwy. First, corn is cheap because it's subsidized, and also because its production is heavily petroleum-dependent (because of natural gas-based fertilizers, and fossil-fuel-dependent mechanization and irrigation). Then, because corn is so cheap, we decide to subsidize ethanol. That drives up the price of corn. Remember: ultimately, when the oil goes, the corn will go too. The author suggests converting all America's corn to bourbon; at least we could then all plan on dying happy. Via http://snipr.com/1n8ks
1
POPSHonk the horn like a jerk in Shanghai, get fined! As many times as I've had people honk at me when I'm sitting at a RED light, I'd LOVE to see this implemented in the states! That and fines for blocking intersections, cruising in the fast lane 10 under the speed limit, and switching lanes with no signal when a car is in the exact spot you are moving too...
34
POPSReality Lord of the Flies Drop a bunch of kids in an abandoned town and see if they get crazy enough to make some must-see TV. Yes, it's exploitative and a frightening snapshot of our voyeuristic society, but how can you not watch this?
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