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“Agnotology, formerly agnatology, is a neologism for the study of culturally-induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data. The term was coined by Robert N. Proctor,[1][2] a Stanford University professor specializing in the history of science and technology.[3] Its name derives from the Greek word ἀγνῶσις, agnōsis, “not knowing”; and -λογία, -logia.[4] More generally, the term also highlights the increasingly common condition where more knowledge of a subject leaves one more uncertain than before.

A prime example of the deliberate production of ignorance cited by Proctor is the tobacco industry’s conspiracy to manufacture doubt about the cancer risks of tobacco use. Under the banner of science, the industry produced research about everything except tobacco hazards to exploit public uncertainty.[4][5] Some of the root causes for culturally-induced ignorance are media neglect, corporate or governmental secrecy and suppression, document destruction, and myriad forms of inherent or avoidable culturopolitical selectivity, inattention, and forgetfulness.[6]”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnotology

Sounds like a word that could really catch on!

The question arises whether religion should be taught in school, whether it should be banned, or whether some middle position is preferred.

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Don’t you just love high petrol prices?

The change in traffic patterns in my area is dramatic. The roads have unclogged; I can get where I want to go and not get stuck in endless traffic jams; there are noticeably less Toorak tanks on school duty. Wonderful!

Also they’ve just opened Eastlink and they’re widening the Monash so pretty soon those of us who don’t mind paying a bit more are going to have a much better driving experience. Not so good for those who have to give up some of their driving.

From what I read, the same is about to happen to flying. Prices will keep rising, the airlines will retire their older aircraft and will cut marginal routes and marginal flights, and will have to work hard to stay in business. Reduced traffic means fewer delays (especially Sydney). Lower demand means some reduction in loading — fewer flights absolutely full, although they will tend to cancel flights that are not full enough. That means more empty seats and possibly better in-flight service. Again, not so good for those who have to fly less.

And it’s good for the planet too!

This quick overview applies primarily to Victoria, but seems to be in harmony with Commonwealth law.

The law provides for 4 offences: procuring, making, possessing or publishing child pornography.

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For a long time the US constitution was interpreted to ensure a right to ingest whatever you like. Nixon was the first to be explicit about banning drugs: the “War on Drugs”.

Interestingly, many US states actually sell tax stamps with specific tax rates for all kinds of illegal drugs. If you sell drugs on which you haven’t paid the tax, you may get a criminal charge but on top of that you get done for tax evasion. They lock you up and they take all your money.

More info here:
http://www.drugstamps.com/
http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6670

If you try to buy the stamps, you have a different kind of problem…

There is a widespread and deep assumption that domestic violence means men beating up women. The reality is that violence by women against men is about as common as the other way around. And although men may do more physical damage, the system is more likely to punish men than women, no matter who was the perpetrator.

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In Australia we are truly lucky to have a strong, independent radio and TV service provided by the ABC.

There is a very good reason not to watch news or current affairs on commercial TV — it’s heavily filtered. Not censored exactly, but filtered. Chomsky has written at length about this.

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If someone leaves their stuff on your premises, some interesting things happen from a legal point of view.

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The wondrous thing is how many competent people there are in the world. Imagine for a moment that you went to the supermarket, and it was deserted. You can take anything you want but there is one little problem. There is a security guard who won't let you out until you pay. And he doesn't know how to work anything, or how much anything costs. He wants to see a cash register printout.Can you master the computer systems well enough to do that? You might criticise a checkout chick who makes a mistake, but can you really do her job? I don't think so. You need her to make that quick purchase.

Interactions with life's various service providers are a management problem. I want an interaction that is as little effort for me as possible, with the maximum prospect of success. I don't care if I have to help a bit to get the right outcome — it's always going to be quicker than doing it all myself.

Above all: never get angry (unless getting angry is the optimal strategy, and then do it with flair).

You don't hire people to do things because they do them better.You hire people to do things because then you don't have to do them. They almost invariably don't do them as well, or as quickly, or tidy up afterwards but that absolutely isn't the point. The point is: to choose what you spend your own valuable time on. To do what you want to do, not what you have to do.

I'm a reasonably skilled mechanic, but I would never service my car as long as someone else can do it with breaking it too badly. Eventually when too many things are broken, I get another car.

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