The Greeks? So cool.

What would the world have been like if the Greeks had expanded their empire instead of the Christians? I suppose we’ll never know.

Now there are two new Bibles to choose from!

The “Illuminated Bible” is a version for people that don’t want to be reminded that the Bible is a relic of the ancient world. It illustrates the story with modern photographs and has all the passage numbering removed so it reads more like a normal book.

The “Green Bible” is a book for tree hugging Christians. This version highlights passages that can be used to validate the environmental agenda. Now I am an environmentalist, so this may sound strange, but I think the Green Bible is the more dangerous of the two, or at least the more revealing of the two.

Image if every modern group that has an agenda made themselves a Bible. We could have the “Born Agains Bible.” We could have the “Pro Prop 8″ Bible. We could have a “Free Market” Bible. We could have the Mormon Bible. (oh wait… we do)

Christianity has always changed and morphed in an attempt to stay relevant. The rituals change. The interpretations change. In fact the very words change from version to version and language to language. Religion has evolved just like every other long-running institution. But it’s important that we see this process for what it is because the evolution of the Bible moves at a pace that may not be recognizable in your lifetime.

The Bible was written by men, to control and align other men for a common cause. It is one of those flexible documents that can be bent and interpreted to justify just about anything you want. So go ahead, pick up a new Bible today!

More info on these two new Bibles at NPR.org.

Daniel Nocera at MIT is touting his synthetic photosynthesis.The only question is whether or not it can be scaled to global production.

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/21536/

One of these days someone is going to invent the game changing energy source. One of these fracking days!

Where? WHERE?!

First, let’s be very clear, this is a product of our own making. If this was just a matter of tight credit and unmotivated buyers then all the auto makers would be hurting. Not the case.

There are several problems. First is that Detroit stopped leading the automotive world to pursue the easy dollar making large, inefficient vehicles. They lagged behind the other auto makers in their R&D of alternative fuels and technology. Instead of striving for efficiency, they happily sold America cars that stroked our cowboy, tough-guy, off-road, macho, bullshit ego

But they also are dealing with an auto workers union that is killing them. Retirement, benefits, and high wages make doing business hard. So they renegotiated, but the new deal doesn’t take effect until 2010.

So they want low interest loans so they don’t go bankrupt. Their case is if they file for chapter 11, then no one will want to buy their cars, which will propel them toward chapter 7 – shut down.

My gut reaction is to tell them to piss off. Beyond them reaping what they’ve sown, giving them money to continue to do the same thing that they have always done is not going to help.

How about this, we give $1000 tax rebates to people who buy efficient American cars. That way the big three have to compete for that money, and it spurs competition for greener vehicles. The US government could write 25 MILLION $1000 checks to help average people buy cars.

Even a straight loan would be alright IF the money comes with strings. Strong strings that will force them to drive their companies into the 21st century.

The big 3 going out of business is not an option that I enjoy. It would be a shock to our already hurting economy. 1.6 million workers would likley loose their jobs (our entire workforce is 140 million).

Of course Detroit will wine and bitch about not being able to retool to make more efficient cars. But who’s fault is that? Who had the poor vision to keep making cars like it was 1950? As Toyota and Honda were learning how to make electric motors, and fuel efficient cars, Ford released the Explorer, then the Expedition, then the ginormus Excursion. Chevy retooled their work truck, the Suburban, to become a 14MPG luxury SUV.

The way I see it, it time for Detroit to change or die.

Imagine if we went back to leading the world instead of fighting against it, and setting an example for the rest to follow.

Apparently Obama has already considered. Please Obama, nominate him. Please Al, take the post.

I am torn. Seeing the story of young Luke, Han and Leia was a nice introduction to Star Wars. Seeing them in their release order gives me a sense of continuity.

But the story is ultimately about the redemtion of the father by the son. Seeing the fall of Anakin gives greater meaning to episode 4. When you see grown Luke and Lea, and the anger filled Vader, you understand their history. You also empathize with Vader. He is driven by pain and anger. If you don’t know what he has been thru, then he is just the bad guy in the black helmet.

Any help is appreciated.

More here.