And you think you had a bad day...

A statistical analysis of human DNA has suggested that some 900,000 years ago something caused the human race to lose 98% of its population and dwindle down to around 1,300 individuals. This persisted for about 100,000 years before the population fully rebounded. There are researchers who question the legitimacy of the theory, still, it is an interesting proposition.   

 

Weekly Links

The optimism spot has been found.

The statistical semiotician debunks The New Republic. (H/T chuck)

American kids are dumber than dirt.

Human beings aren't evolved for security in the modern world.

Coding the right stuff.

25 unexpectedly useful websites.

Remains of a shattered moon found in Saturn's rings.

The North Korean nuclear test confirmed.

Smile when you see your robot.

Better than mind-mapping?

Taking over the visual system for better hearing.

OS X slips past Vista.

Maxwell the poet.

Guide to the new Word.

Neanderthals had red hair, but weren't the ancestors of Vikings, contrary to rumor.

Wolfram debunked.

Friday Links

Is space-based solar power the answer?

A simple home away from home with all the amenities.

China's massive internet censorship operation.

101 tips to get your work done faster.

Yet another internet romance.

The windbelt.

The coming robot armies.

Running python on the GPU.

Death of a spammer.

The 10 fastest cars in the world.

Human origins pushed back another 64,000 years.

Does electronic paper have a future?