Sunday Speed

Here are some interesting items that have recently run across my screen. (Photo by Horia Varlan.)

• “Slavoj Zizxek on the Problems of Ethical Consumption” at Sociological Images includes an interesting video, but I appreciated this paragraph all on its own:
  • “He suggests that, say, buying fair-trade coffee at Starbucks is unlikely to relieve inequities that are directly related to global capitalism (of which Starbucks is a part and beneficiary), and may in fact reinforce them by making individuals in more privileged nations feel like they’ve done something to address the problem, thus relieving them of any obligation to look more deeply into the problem.”

• “Mental, Physical, and Financial Hazards of Homework” talks about the documentary Race to Nowhere and the impact it had on one family. (h/t)

• “How Your Playboy Centerfold Sausage Is Made” from Jezebel shows off some auctioned Playboy memorabilia that shows what kind of Photoshopping edits are requested on centerfold shots.
  • “The message is clear: even after a genetic bounty, all-but-certain plastic surgery and dieting, good lighting, a pro-photographer, and dozens of shots, even the fantasy woman is not fantastic enough.” (h/t)

• “Things we do to innocent people to prevent terrorism” sums up my thoughts on the anti-TSA meme.

• And speaking of TSA reporting, Thomas at Yes Means Yes reminds us that, “My Genitals Are Not Junk, And Neither Are Yours.”

• “America – The Grim Truth” comes from an anonymous writer on ClubOrlov. I don’t agree with the whole piece, and I don’t like the conclusion much at all, but I found it an interesting read, nonetheless.

• “Old Fangled Meat Defroster – As Seen on TV” from Katy at The Non-Consumer Advocate talks about how to defrost with cast iron and reminds me once again that without modern contraptions, it’s still possible to do things!

• “Determined to Have a War on Christmas” from Atheist Revolution reminds me of some of the nonsense I can look forward to in the coming few weeks.

What do you think of any of these links and/or what have you been reading this week?