Somewhat creepy article about research using human-animal hybrids:

"In January, an informal ethics committee at Stanford University endorsed a proposal to create mice with brains nearly completely made of human brain cells. Stem cell scientist Irving Weissman said his experiment could provide unparalleled insight into how the human brain develops and how degenerative brain diseases like Parkinson's progress.

"Stanford law professor Hank Greely, who chaired the ethics committee, said the board was satisfied that the size and shape of the mouse brain would prevent the human cells from creating any traits of humanity. Just in case, Greely said, the committee recommended closely monitoring the mice's behavior and immediately killing any that display human-like behavior."

So what constitutes "human-like behavior"? [insert joke here]

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Phoenix Suns' pine-warmer Paul Shirley is getting huge and his Road Ramblings ARE BACK. Check out a WSJ article (from the Sports Guy's links). Of course, if you want to talk to Paul, just ask Lindsay, he's apparently wooing her via email...

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Best Batman Begins trailer so far is now up. This trailer actually depicts the plot of the film a little, and also shows Christian Bale driving a Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster. GIDDYUP. Not sure why Katie Holmes got the lead female role...never really thought she was that hot or a good actress.

So I was also confused by the supposed Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes thing, because even if Tom's a pyscho scientologist, he's still one of the biggest stars on earth. But apparently no one else is buying it either.

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If you read much about indie music you've probably heard of Annie, the Norwegian pop chick whose music is for some reason accepted by the horn-rimmed poindexters at Pitchfork and shit. Anyway, I think her music sounds better than the pop music these people otherwise ignore totally. Stream her album Anniemal, or check out a directory with a few of her songs here. My favorite so far (warning: clicking may cause further loss of respect for me)

Annie / Me Plus One

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Good stuff from Slate:

A different angle on the idiocy of the Congressional steroid hearings.
A couple excerpts from the new book Freakonomics, discussing the economic impact of baby names.

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Swedish band the Perishers have a pretty decent song in "Sway."

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While watching the NFL Draft last weekend I was quite pleased to hear no. 5 pick Cadillac Williams, while speaking about his friendly wager with Auburn teammate and no. 2 pick Ronnie Brown, say

"He may have won the war, but the battle isn't over yet."

While I liked to think that Cadillac meant it as a subtle jibe at the way high draft status and the resulting contractual largess ("the war") have come to mean more than the game itself ("the battle"), in the end I don't think I can give a man nicknamed after a car brand that much credit. Too inside.
Anyway, being a frequent reader I submitted it to Bill Simmons' quote of the day. Sure enough Tuesday it was there, but realistically twenty other people probably also submitted it. Still, I'm claiming it.