Random links
- Whole wheat still not all that whole
- "Lacks the germ, bran of nutritious whole grain; proposed label change stalled" - as I understand it the shelf life of actual whole grain flour is pretty terrible compared to the "whole wheat flour" you typically get to buy in stores... 3-5 days at room temp; maybe a month in the freezer.
- A Modest Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce
- A look at how to reduce divorce rates through things like cooling off periods... and means to try to promote reconciation. "These requirements would be waived in cases of domestic violence. ...". Waiving the waiting period for allegations of domestic seems to negate the whole proposal given that allegations seem to suffice under the existing system. (In case of allegations of violence separation without allowing immediate divorce would seem to be a workable solution).
- Sin bins for worst families
- The article is dated July 2009 and it sounds as those they were trying this in a number of cases before then: "The Children’s Secretary set out £400million plans to put 20,000 problem families under 24-hour CCTV super-vision in their own homes. They will be monitored to ensure that children attend school, go to bed on time and eat proper meals. Private security guards will also be sent round to carry out home checks, while parents will be given help to combat drug and alcohol addiction." That seems a little disturbing.
- Meghalaya, India: Where women rule, and men are suffragettes
- "In the small hilly Indian state of Meghalaya, a matrilineal system operates with property names and wealth passing from mother to daughter rather than father to son - but some men are campaigning for change."
- How the Potato Changed the World
- The history of the potato, its agricultural efficiency, and its susceptibility to problems like blight.