FRAUD: Shill Website for Resveratrol

My colleague Tim alerted me to this "news report" about the health benefits of resveratrol, the wine-derived compound currently being touted by supposedly reputable scientists as a "cure" for aging. This mock-up of a local TV news websites sets a new standard in artful deception, initially fooling even some of my co-workers at my day job (a real news organization). Note such subtle touches as the long URL, the timely and region-specific dateline and the non-functional links to other "news" items. Question to readers: is this mimicry Batesian or Müllerian? link

FASHION: Confessions of a Mask

Are the masks and veils seen on fashion runways a symptom of the swine flu scare (sooo last week) or of the spread of Islam? link

LIBERTIES: Pirate Bay in the Dock

A Swedish court has jailed the founders of Pirate Bay, an irreverent file sharing (or stealing) service, for violation of copyright laws. This Beeb article quotes our friend Rick Falkvinge, the wild and crazy guy who heads the Swedish Pirate Party. The Piratpartiet is a bone fide political party whose website was overwhelmed by an influx of new members following the verdict. I predict that making martyrs of the Pirate Bay Four will have the opposite effect than the court wishes to achieve. link

DPRK: Space Cadets

Choose your own news item:

North Korea is promising ["strong steps"] [more empty threats] against [its foes] [the world] if the UN Security Council censures the [worker's paradise] [kooky dictatorship] for [attempting] [failing] to [launch a satellite] [test-fire a ballistic missile]. The so-called satellite is currently [broadcasting patriotic songs from space][at the bottom of the Sea of Japan]. link

HAHA: Protesters Demand End to Capitalism, War and Spelling

The Financial Times has some amusing pictures of the generally idiotic anticapitalist street protests at the G20 meeting in London. link

SCIENCE: Madoff with the Grant Money

This cartoon, from Jorge Cham's research-themed web comic Piled Higher & Deeper, tells it like it is.

THEATAH: The Short & Happy Life

Last night we saw the Sleepwalker's Theater production of Ryan Michael Teller's "The Short & Happy Life," a surreal comedy about a malevolent muse who haunts a young writer from beyond the grave. Many strange characters and vivid performances by an eclectic repertory company that specializes in new plays by local playwrights. Of interest to fans of Hollywood, sandwiches, glandular disorders, bad art, nitrous oxide and the Goat. You know... the Goat that knows your innermost thoughts. link