[links] Link salad awakens post-chemo

10 banned books that may surprise you — Sometimes the banning of a book is self-explanatory, but other cases may leave some of us scratching their heads – who could object to “The Wizard of Oz,” for example? Here are 10 books that may seem innocent – but somehow they managed to offend someone. Banning books being one of those largely conservative impulses that utterly disgusts me. Another example of my contention that conservatism is a failure of imagination. If your religion and ideology are so weak they can’t stand up to a challenge, maybe you need new creed.

Harvard Cancer Expert: Steve Jobs Probably Doomed Himself With Alternative Medicine

American Cancer Society refuses $500,000 from atheists — This does not make me the least bit proud. As an atheist, am I now not supposed to direct donations toward them? (Thanks to danjite.)

Notes From a Dragon Mom — A difficult story about parenting a dying child.

Heavy Armor — Researchers at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom have measured the effort required to walk on a treadmill while wearing a full suit of armor.

Building the Brown Dwarf Census

Animals ‘shrinking’ due to climate change — Polar bears are shrinking because of the impact of climate change on their natural habitats, along with many other animals and plants, researchers say. Darn those liberally biased facts.

Why are we cruel?

More Research on Why Nice Guys Lose

Everyone knows David Cameron is a lizard. So why does the Telegraph continue to deny the truth? — Bizarre political commentary from the UK. (Via a tip from Scrivener’s Error.)

For Romney, a Role of Faith and Authority

Herman Cain’s Fuzzy Math — Cain’s math is so fuzzy it would make George W. Bush proud. Now that’s a low blow. True, but low.

Signs of Dissent: What About the 47% Who Pay No Federal Income Taxes? — The utterly false 53% meme is a red herring that allows conservatives to feel virtuous in their selfishness. That conservative failure of empathy once again.

?otD: Where do the days go?

10/17/2011

Writing time yesterday: 0.0 hours (chemo)

Body movement: 30 minute stationary bike ride

Hours slept: 11.75 hours (napping plus solid sleep)

Weight: 217.8

Currently reading: The Star Fraction by Ken MacLeod

Originally published at jlake.com. You can comment here or there.