The Amazonian rainforest is being destroyed at double the rate of all previous estimates, according to research published today in the journal Science.

[ from Guardian Unlimited ]

In a recent poll by a popular sports radio station they asked, “Do you care about what your favorite athletes do off the field?” In other words, do you care if the quarterback of your favorite football team or the point guard of your favorite basketball team or any other sport you follow, do you care if the players sexually harass women, or beat women, or take steroids, or drive drunk or commit any other crime? Do you care if these people break the law as long as they produce on the field?

A staggering 61.29% said, “Only if it affects their play, otherwise no.” 30.65% said, “No, I couldn’t care less what these guys do away from the field.” Only 8.06% said, “Yes, as an athlete in the public spot light it matters!”

This is a microcosm of our society today. We don’t care what others do as long as it doesn’t affect our own happiness. We have no problem turning our heads to crime as long as our football team is in first place. How sad.

As long as we continue to turn our heads, they will continue to commit crimes.

While recently attending a John Mayer concert I was surprised to see that people no longer hold up lighters during the slow songs as they did in my youth; but cell-phones equipped with cameras. It was surprising to see how many people owned cell-phones, not to mention cell-phones with cameras.

Then today while standing inline at Starbucks for my grande-nonfat-mocha-with no whip half the people in front of me were on their cell phones. Talking about what, to whom, I do not know. It was only 6:30 in the morning.

Of course we’ve all experienced those people on the road that can’t be bothered to use their turn signal while driving because they’re too busy on the phone for such lesser things.

Today’s technological advancements are quite impressive. Our forefathers would be amazed at what technology has made possible for us. And yet today people work longer hours than at any other point in history. What gives?

I myself do not own a cell phone. I use technology everyday, but I use it as a way to free me, not to enslave me. I hold to the belief that technology should be used as a way to increase productivity in an effort to allow us to enjoy more free time to do the things that we love to do.

According to Forbes magazine, Sergey Brin and Larry Page now rank 16th in the top richest Americans. For the record Bill Gates ranks number 1. I guess there is something more important than PageRank!

An article by SI.com reports that, “Starting in February, any school with a nickname or logo considered racially or ethnically “hostile” or “abusive” by the NCAA would be prohibited from using them in postseason events.”

Maybe we could then force them all into a restricted area, yeah, we could call it, um a reservation!

Shame on you NCAA

Anyone heard of Mat Kearney? This guy is money. Great lyrics and great voice. Check out the album “Bullet”