Raithe

It's all about having the vital information... io9 - 80% of Americans Support Mandatory label on foods containing DNA... The results of Lusk and Murray's survey also highlight a contradiction central to GMO labeling campaigns that would see all genetically modified foods blanket-labeled as "GMOs," regardless of the modification they contain, or towards what end they were produce. Prima facie, such initiatives seem like a laudable effort to provide consumers with information. What's ironic, UC Berkeley biologist Mike Eisen explains in a recent blog post, is how little information consumers would actually receive from such a mandate: The Oklahoma State food survey reinforces Eisen's point: A blanket DNA label would be even less informative than a blanket GMO label. And yet, an overwhelming majority of Americans support it, because we have a right to know. We have a right to know what, exactly? Over at WaPo, Somin ruminates on what can be made of the Oklahoma State food survey: Eisen writes in his blog post that, in supporters of blanket GMO labels, he sees "a lazy and self-satisfied acceptance of an internally incoherent piece of legislation that, rather than giving consumers the 'right to know', will actually protect their desire to know nothing." I'm not as cynical as Eisen. I like to think of myself as an idealist. But the Oklahoma State survey has dealt a heavy blow that idealism. When participants of the survey were asked if they had read any books about food and agriculture in the past year." Roughly 81% answered "No," and 3% answered "I don't know." The 16% who answered "Yes" were asked to give the title of the food and agriculture book they had most recently read: These results seem pregnant with significance, but I'm too dispirited to unpack it, at the moment.

And for the other side of things.. Saudi Muslim Leader Organising Legal Action Against Charlie Hebdo over Mohamed Cartoons

This article's from the middle of last year, but might be worth a thought or two... Why is Florida and Texas so strongly against off-grid living practices that they deem it illegal?

Well, we seem to have Flu circling through the family, the dog is getting anxious because mom's been in hospital for over a month now, and from the comments by some of the specialists it looks like she'll be staying in for a fair few more weeks. Having anxious dog spending the night running around to various rooms in an attempt for comfort to get settled, combined with the hourly coughing fits of the flu-infected does not inspire a great nights sleep.

Science! And Photography!

Heh. For those Lost fans.. Independent - Lost Writer Admits They Just Made it Up as They Went Along

Just for those people in need of an "Awwww" moment... http://youtu.be/uRmoowIN8aY

Sometimes it's just about the background sound, even when you can't understand the lyrics.. http://youtu.be/vQOn2jDxC5c

Dylan Dog - Dead of Night Brandon Routh from a few years ago playing a fading private investigator pulled back into the New Orleans supernatural world. It can't quite seem to decide if its a comedy, or a horror or some weird blend of investigative action-mystery, but it has a certain enjoyable campy edge to the proceedings. With the typical assortment of vampires, werewolves, and assorted zombie types lurking around the French Quarter...

I quite enjoyed the weirdness of the live-action Nodame Cantabile.

NExt-Gen Hitman To be Revealed Later this Year

Oh Kraft. You strike once again after taking over Cadbury... Guardian - Shellshock - Coming Clean on the Crème Egg Chocolate Change

Good to hear that it seems to have been dealt with and it didn't catch you completely out Ros.

Was having a roam around on Amazon Prime and found a series from a few years ago. The Collector. Interesting idea - A monk from the 1400's lost faith, made a deal with the devil, and ended up as a "Collector" of souls when other people had made deals and their time was up. After so long, he basically challenges the devil to get the chance to help these people repent in their final days. If he does, they get to go free, if not, he still has to collect on their souls and condemn them to hell. Not exactly high production values, but it managed to run for three years and from a few episodes seems full of "thoseguys" - faces you'll recognise for being in all sorts of supporting roles, but never seem to be recognised by name.

http://youtu.be/JYAq-7sOzXQ

And just because.. http://youtu.be/JEhY-b_Ih6A