k hits that are not all to do with sports. It's always nice to be able to take a day off because you've worked too much recently. I highly recommend each article I link to, and I'll explain why:- First, an article from a few months ago that popped back into my head following class last Thursday night. We were discussing the process of eminent domain, the law which allows the government decide to purchase private land if it is determined that the land could better serve the public in another capacity. You see this when the government buys up a bunch of houses, bulldozes them, then widens the road. Or in Chicago, when O'Hare airport needs longer runways. What caught my mind drifting back to this article was one simple thing: the former owner of the New Jersey Nets managed to turn a HUGE profit by using eminent domain and pushing the team towards a move to Brooklyn. The article is brilliant, a quick read, and by Malcolm Gladwell, so enjoy.
- A second article takes you inside a very realistic doomsday scenario that I bet 99.3% of Americans have no idea about. Think about this: I'd say the odds of this happening are at least 5% in the next few years, yet the overwhelming majority of Americans would have the following reaction if it happened: "What the hell? What happened? How did they (read "Obama" for they) let this happen?" That doomsday sce
nario is a massive solar flare (aka a coronal mass ejection) frying and completely decimating the North American power grid. Estimates vary, but it seems logical to me that it could take years to rebuild the grid if it is hit by a storm the likes of which we've seen in the last 200 years. If it's even worse? Needless to say, it's disheartening to realize how likely this is, as we approach solar maximum, and to look at how little is being done to prevent it. This article, from Popular Mechanics, does a good job of running you through this little thought of but increasingly possible catastrophic situation.- A third article, really an interview of sorts, is a five book recommendation from Phil Plait. Mr. Plait wrote "Death From The Skies," which is a totally scientific breakdown of the various ways the world could end from the heavens (hint: coronal mass ejections are discussed). I haven't read any of these five books, but the man (who you can read here as the "Bad Astronomer") has a unique ability to communicate complicated subjects in accessible ways.
- The Atlantic has an in depth breakdown of the Obama Presidency thus far. I'm only part of the way through this, but it raises some good questions. In my opinion I'd say that Obama is a shrewd political player who has been hamstrung by an impossible political atmosphere. If a politician as smooth and centrist as Obama is unable to deal with this gridlock God help us all if we get someone much more extreme or unable to bring people around a central tenant.
- Speaking of Obama, this article on Politico reminds you that no matter what the guy does someone is demonizing him. Whether the right or the left, nothing he does is good enough for somebody. Why would he even want to run again? Gotta be the power, huh?
- This post, from Universe Today, looks at the potential effects of tidal heating on exo planets. An exo planet, for those who are unfamiliar with the term, is a planet orbiting a star other than our own Sun. I greatly enjoy the search for these new worlds, as I deeply hope that sometime in my life we might be able to find the signs of life, any life, somewhere else so that we can dispel the myth that we are alone in the universe. Although, given the way we react to things, I'm not sure it would have the unifying effect I'd hope for.
- Joe Posnaski (of Sports Illustrated) has a good post on the 70th birthday of Muhammad Ali. Many of his themes (heroes in athletes, aging athletes, childhood perceptions of sports) are themes I've written on before. I find the rise, the suspension, the comeback, and the eventual fall and end of Ali's career to be fascinating. Watching Ali in his prime (thank you Youtube) reminds me of what it was like to watch Jordan in his prime. So rarely do we see someone, anyone, who transcends the rest of society. Ali did it. Jordan did it. Tiger did it for a time. All lose it, although the fall is different for each. Think of the athletes who were truly great who didn't have a downfall and left on top. How many can you name? I can think of Jim Brown and Barry Sanders right away. Peyton Manning, if he never takes another snap, would be close, although the injury still has to factor in and take some of that luster away. Who else? It's so hard for someone as competitive as we demand our athletes to be to walk away with anything left in the tank. What Brown and Sanders did would be akin to LeBron walking away in three years when he was at his apex. It's unfathomable; it's why Jordan's final shot in Chicago and subsequent retirement were so shocking and such a fairytale of sorts. I'd be curious to hear what you think.
- Finally, I'm going to see Van Halen at the United Center on the 24th. Should be a good time, and at the very least it will be nice to unwind a bit. But the big news comes out later this month (week hopefully!) when Dave Matthews Band unveils their tour schedule for this summer. With us expecting a full tour again, it could be epic. I'm looking forward to trying to top last summer (7 shows) by getting to eight shows. Thank goodness I have a girlfriend who agrees...
