Linkage of The Evening, Linkage of the Day

Shellfish, not selfish - The Economist

New Orleans, beware: oysters are in serious decline all over the planet. These mighty (and mighty delicious) bivalves are in danger from pollution and alien invader oysters - oyster reef populations are only 10% of their historical abundance. The Nature Conservancy's report does offer some hope: measures to kick out alien oysters and better fishery management may keep us in bargain basement oyster shooters for a long while yet. And what would America be without them?















HOLY CRAP

Via 2 Blowhards: Amazing video of jellyfish.

If I ever become irredeemably, disgustingly wealthy, I shall install a jellyfish tank and have extremely fancy cocktail parties to their pulsations. It will be tres chic. I will name them all and consider them my only companions in my tremendous, echoing mansion. I am looking forward to all this very much.

Speaking of Newsweek, the New Republic's Michael Kinsley isn't sold.

Kinsley makes a good point: since Newsweek has dispensed with even trying to be a guide through the startling panoply of information out there, it essentially cancels out its own usefulness. Might as well spend your time sorting out the Internet instead of bothering with a news magazine, even it does offer in-depth assessment of all that crazy shit you need to be up on. Also true that Newsweek needs to not only offer quality content but super high quality content to compete with all the stuff offered online: good luck with that, Fareed and company.

I do hear a lot of people say that they prefer magazines because they can sit down and read through the current events and feel relatively informed. Magazines perform a needed function for many people who find the glut of online information overwhelming and confusing: a good news magazines combs through the news and picks out what you need to know, perhaps offering some through provoking commentary along the way. We can get opinion and analysis online if we want to know more about a particular topic, but for general breadth and condensation - that's why we pick up Newsweek. If Newsweek decides to shed what many feel to be its base and most important function, well, they're going to be in serious trouble.

Sword Hilt Umbrellas: Bitching

You too can carry an umbrella with a sword hilt handle. Come on, tell me you don't want one. I can see it in your eyes. Your eyes full of lies.