Somali Piracy for Newbies

(h/t Matt Yglesias)

The Somali pirates were the centerpiece of my Pirate Tale for Boom! a couple years back. Studying the fringes of functioning society now, for writing ideas ... well, you know how Gibson said "The future is here, it's just not evenly distributed"? That's usually taken as a bromide about Good Shiny Tech. The Somali Pirates are part of the future, too, and it's worth considering how, if and when they might be coming to a neighborhood near you.

Tauren Shammy lfg White House Run

Thanks to spiffy new BoingBoing game blog Offworld, I now know that --

Obama's just-appointed FCC transition team co-chair Kevin Werbach has been recognized as verifiable "virtual worlds nut" and World of Warcraft Level 70 Tauren Shaman Supernovan Jenkins ...

... and as right thinking players, he is for the Horde.

The Xbox generation is coming faster than you think.

Fun Fact: At one point in this season of Leverage, you will hear "For the Horde". Un-ironically.

You know, the expansion's out just as I hit hiatus. I guess loading it up again, just trying out the new build wouldn't hurt ...

DNA as fiber optics

Courtesy of Warren Ellis, we are shown once again that reality is not only cooler than you imagine, it's cooler than you can ... etc. etc.:

Thanks to a new technique, DNA strands can be easily converted into tiny fibre optic cables that guide light along their length. Optical fibres made this way could be important in optical computers, which use light rather than electricity to perform calculations, or in artificial photosynthesis systems that may replace today's solar panels.

In the comments -- your favorite recent weird science story.

Survivor Corps

Occasionally new, worthwhile charities cross my email account. Survivor Corps is dedicated to creating locally-based community support for returning veterans who are dealing with emotional issues after the end of their deployment. Physical injuries are one thing, but it's crucial that we help men and women who have seen and experienced the unimaginable re-integrate successfully back into their post-deployment lives.

There's a tragic culture of shame around suicide and depression in this country, making it very hard for people to reach out for help without feeling as if they've failed in some way. The idea that veterans will be dealing primarily with other veterans with shared experiences is a great way of mitigating that vulnerability.

Not everyone needs this help, of course, but those who do need it desperately. I know that times are tough, but if you can, please swing by and toss the price of a large pizza in the pot for them. Thanks.