<I love this ... Pope Benedict XVI is doing something right for once! :-)

The photovoltaic cells will convert sunlight into electricity, generating enough power to light, heat or cool the 6,000 seat hall, engineers say.

Conserving global resources has been a priority for the German-born Pope.

Since he was elected in 2005, Benedict XVI has criticised "the unbalanced use of energy" in the world.

He has also said environmental damage was making "the lives of poor people on earth especially unbearable".

Source

I read this interview with artist Jonathan Keats about his creation of The Atheon, a temple devoted to science. Instead of stained-glass windows there are replications of cosmic microwave background radiation patterns. Keats said his purpose was to challenge people's dogmas about religion and science, and to envision what a place devoted to science worship might look like. The website describes it as "a secular temple devoted to scientific worship."  Keats is also known for his Petri Dish God artwork.

[caption id="attachment_116" align="alignright" width="188" caption="What's not to love?"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_526" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A beautiful shot of a frozen waterfall in the Khorasan province of Northeastern Iran (see the link below for more pictures from this striking natural wonder)."][/caption]

Dear All,

I hope you are having a great summer. The St. Louis weather has been exceptionally cooperating -- so far. For those of you who are experiencing a hot summer, I will start this window with a cooling visual delight from Iran:

Frozen Waterfall

Other
Jesse Ventura To Host Investigative Show For Tru
Remember, when they say "economy"...
"Economy collapses" = "bubble pops"
Last year, HHs said there was no bubble.
^ Confused + poor §
^ Stuck in Denial Phase §
As our economy collapses and presidential electi
Other
Fun with pictures! How are these two alike?
GW is like Herbert Hoover? §
Interesting email. Desperate times.
Hope you can pay cash... §
Tighter lending = lower home prices. LMFAO §
Yep. That's why I can buy mobiles for so cheap
I hope everybody has to pay cash.
No shit. High five Keegs! §
come and see me I will be happy to represent you §
Don't delay, act now,
Pretty good prices

A study conducted by The University of Toronto found that there was a distinct correlation between how someone perceived body temperature and if they felt excluded from a group or not. Test subjects were made to feel included or excluded then asked to gauge the temperature or choose from an array of hot and cold foods/drink. The group that was excluded estimated that the temperature was very cold and they also choose warmer foods like soup whereas the included group felt the temperature was hot and chose things like an apple. Dr Lesley Prince, a lecturer in psychology at Birmingham University, said: "This is very interesting, and shows there are physiological correlates to emotions." Link!

In The entire recorded history of our species, and likely long before, no one has ever proposed a universally accepted notion of the Supernatural. Historically, people have resolved disputes over competing definitions of the supernatural by killing each other, hardly conducive to constructive discourse. For the purpose of this discussion, let's use the following definition for this concept: That which is outside, apart from, above or beyond the Natural world and its laws. Let's also define, just for the sake of argument, Supernaturalism: An ontological concept involving a belief in the reality of the supernatural. Going by these definitions, what does it mean to be outside or apart from Nature?

Some of you may remember a little ad the McCain campaign ran last week, indicating that they do, in fact, think that they can see the future.
In that spirit, I'd like to offer my analysis of Thursday's vice presidential debate.

The debate was hotly anticipated, as everyone expected republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to crash and burn, perhaps literally, as she tried to avoid looking even more stupid than she did during her interview with Katie Couric.

Things started out a touch rocky, as Palin refused to shake hands with her rival, democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, preferring instead to spit in his general direction while assuring him she'd be praying for his eternal soul, but that she doubted even she could help him, given that he's the running mate of a secret Muslim.

Biden responded with a terse "Can it, beauty queen."

Game on!

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[caption id="attachment_1411" align="aligncenter" width="499" caption="Hedge apples are the fruit of the Osage Orange tree, but unfortunately they aren't aren't edible. Too bad, because they seem to be everywhere in early fall in the Midwest."][/caption]