Open thread: Halfway-through July summer reading checkup

As usual, I have found my insanely ambitious summer reading regimen foiled by myself. My upcoming week looks rather busy, so my short-term goals are more realistic than I’m comfortable with.
So, despite swearing I should not, I indulge in Schopenhauer’s reassurance:
The best consolation in misfortune or affliction of any kind will be the thought of [...]

Study: Breast self-exams don’t lower cancer death rates

From MSNBC:

According to a review by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research, there’s no evidence that self-exams actually reduce breast cancer deaths. In fact, the often-recommended monthly chore may even do more harm than good, according to the group’s analysis of a pair of studies of nearly 400,000 Chinese and [...]

Peace and Love, today, 12 p.m.

In honor of Ringo Starr’s birthday, the former Beatle is asking individuals around the world to stop what they are doing at noon today, make a peace sign and say, “peace and love.”
“Wherever you are — office, home, bus, tube, sitting, standing, walking, alone or with others, doesn’t matter — at noon on July 7 [...]

Facebook stalkers ‘confused’ when you don’t put your gender identification on your page

I just saw this on my facebook newsfeed:       

Which example applies to you?

Right now your Mini-Feed may be confusing. Please choose how we should refer to you.

 

 
Dashaway* edited her profile.

 
Dashaway* edited his profile.

Damn, it must be SO confusing for all my “friends” that don’t know what gender I am or care what gender I am, for that matter. [...]

Quick hit: A quote from Rove

“Even if you never met him, you know this guy. He’s the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by.”
The above quote is attributed to columnist and former Bush adviser Karl Rove. The ppunditry agrees [...]

What was your favorite book as a child?/ Oh, how times change…

Mine?  Goodnight Moon.  It’s a classic.  But I reckon if I had a kid now, I’d be reading Goodnight Bush instead…hehehehe.  Check it out.

Quick hit: Marquette’s “Women of Influence” honored

From this weeks newsbriefs:
4. Marquette’s “Women of Influence” honored this week
Dr. Kristina Ropella, chair and professor of biomedical engineering, and five alumnae will be honored this week as 2008 “Women of Influence” by The Business Journal.
In addition to Ropella, also honored by the Business Journal will be:
* JoAnne Anton, Arts ‘91
* Sue Ela, Nursing ‘77, [...]

Congratulations, Californians!

In the two days since allotting marriage licences to all couples, over 2,700 have finally tied the knot.
 

KISS FM’s Cafeteria Censorship – Racial Stereotyping?

More guest posts!  This one’s from The Storm–Enjoy!  

As a musician and a former radio DJ, I’ve got a lot of strong opinions regarding the censorship of music on commercial radio. Lately it seems as though words are being censored that aren’t dirty or offensive on their own, but could be taken in a negative [...]

“I am not a chick”: Part 1

The following is a guest post sent in by reader Lauren*.  Read and ruminate!

I’ve been trying to get my brother to stop referring to women as “chicks” for about a year and a half so you can imagine my surprise when my feministy new roommate used the term. Now I know that users of the [...]