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Submitted by David on Wed, 2010-09-29 16:10
Gym culture not working out for the French
The article speaks of this as being problem and a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle, but then notes that one of the primary reasons is that people are playing outdoor sports. Seems like people are getting exercise (and there seems to be more self-control over quantities eaten. Can someone remind me why exactly the lack of French people joining gyms is a problem?
In Arabian Desert, a Sustainable City Rises
This sounds like a somewhat interesting project. The question is whether or not this sort of thing is feasible at an acceptable cost-point. e.g. Having a city-wide driver-less underground transportation system sounds like one thing that might make the city a bit expensive to construct. Saudi Arabia seems to be basically trying to diversify its economy by throwing money at projects. How viable these projects will be in the long run is another question.
Chef blasted by Ramsay jumps to his death
According to the article this is the second suicide related to people that Gordon Ramsay has chewed out on his TV show. Seems a little higher than average. However much of that is attributeably to Ramsay is the question, as typically "reality" show contestants are a little bit crazy to begin with
Blaming China Won’t Help the Economy
Is American more or less socialist than other countries? From this New York Times Op-Ed piece: "According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the proportion of income tax raised from the richest tenth of the population is 45 percent in America, compared with only 28 percent in France and 27 percent in Sweden."

Comments

Sarennah

Mon, 2010-10-04 00:48

Gyms in France-- I sure didn't see any while there or hear anyone talking about them. But even though yes, they did sit at cafes and eat for a long time and smoke a lot, no one really seemed overweight. So maybe they don't need gyms in the way that North Americans do. After-all, gyms are really just artificial exercise.

The Ramsay article is just sad. Whether or not it is actually related to him, the media will play it up. But behind the story is a really tragic story of a family with a loss. :(