Study: Money Won't Make You Happy

"Would you be happier if you were richer?" ask Princeton researcher Daniel Kahneman, PhD, and colleagues. Kahneman shared the 2002 Nobel Prize for applying the principles of psychology to economics.

Their answer: No. It's just an illusion that wealth brings happiness.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201749,00.html

The Da Vinci Code

I liked this movie. I really liked this movie. Fun, smart, fast paced yet complete. They nailed the book and only lost the points not relevant to the story. Didn't do as much character exploration as I would have liked, but that's not what the story is about. 8/10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/

A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age

I have to say that I agree with his assessment. In my experience, the ones with the greatest logical thinking tend to fare the worst in work and relationships, even though this seems to be the most valued skill in society. But it isn't. People skills, involved in the above, are key to round it out. Meritocracies just don't exist, the sooner we left brain thinkers sort that out, the better.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573223085/sr=8-1/qid=1151680637/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8935693-0609412?ie=UTF8

UK Would've Nuked China Over Hong Kong

British officials discussed the task of ensuring the Chinese understood that, if they did attack, retaliation would involve the US dropping nuclear bombs on them. The plan emerged from the records of the Prime Minister's office between 1957-61, made public yesterday by the National Archives at Kew, London.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17312714&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=uk-planned-nuke-attack-on-china-name_page.html

We Are Scientists: With Love And Squalor

American band in the vein of Keizer Chiefs and Bloc Party -- pretty good but needs some development. Worth a listen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_are_scientists

The Pink Panther

Funny. Doesn't live up to the original, but funny. Better than the 4.7 IMDB gave it, I'd give it 6/10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383216/

Alberta posts $8.7-billion surplus

... and we still can't afford decent healthcare or enough schools.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2006/06/26/alberta-surplus.html?ref=rss

10 Reasons Why High Definition DVD Formats Have Already Failed

I agree -- I'll be waiting a long time before I replace my dvd players.
http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/10reasonsHDDVDsfailed.php

Secret Tactics

I'm re-reading this great book... the information is so dense and heavy you can only read a few pages at a time. It's basically an anthology of some of the old martial arts masters' teachings. Great stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804834881/qid=1151010793/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4523151-2986409?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Programming The Universe

Not for the feint of heart. I was glad I had a CS degree when reading this book because of some of the computational concepts like universal computers... it was excellent though, this guy really gets the whole chaos vs randomness issue and injects some great thoughts regarding information's relationship to entropy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400040922/qid=1151010516/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-4523151-2986409?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

The Art Of War For Executives

- Learn to compete-but never lose emotional control
- Do it right-proper planning leads to success
- Know the facts-whenever possible, rely on first-hand knowledge
- Expect the worst-and have the resources to counter any setback
- Seize the day-speed and innovation are the keys to staying ahead
- Do it better-innovation is an invincible weapon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399519025/qid=1151010397/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-4523151-2986409?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Teach Origins Of Life Based On Evidence

It's pretty sick and twisted that scientists now have to band together to teach about evidence-based theory rather than faith-based conjecture.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2237307,00.html

How Far Does National Security Trump The Law?

Are there any legal limits to what the executive branch can do in the name of national security, or is it anything goes?
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71212-0.html?tw=rss.index

Underworld: Evolution

Decent, if overly convoluted. Continues the story of the "death dealer" and the lycan/vampire hybrid. Good action.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401855/