Swine Flu: Some Good News for a Change

I'll cop to not believing in the power of swine flu. I mean, yes, it seems dangerous, but only so much in the sense that SARS was. But, I was starting to come around: that's what will happen to you if you're embedded in the media or the internet too much.

However, recent evidence from many scientists, as reported by Wired.com, appears to indicate at least some marginally good news.

[Their] findings fit the notion that more Mexicans are infected than was
originally thought, that severe cases represent a fraction of the outbreak, and
that mortality rates are lower than originally feared.

“If the calculations are correct,” said Slezak, “it’s indeed supportive of the other
data that seems to agree that this is not going to be a catastrophic
outbreak."

So, yeah. Not "catastrophic"!!!! Seriously, this is good news though; we've got everyone in the world freaking out about the swine flu, and to possibly hear that something (read: anything) "not horrible" might stem out of this piggy pandemic is a huge bonus. Carry on with your freakout.

'Alien Skull' on Mars Is Stupidest Claim. Ever.

People routinely see Jesus in their macaroni and cheese. Or elsewhere. It's usually a pile of mularky, of course, but they see it. Just like scientists saw an "alien skull" on Mars recently. At least that's what they're saying, in very serious tones.

"There appears to be a narrow pointed small mouth, so this creature most likely
is a carnivore."

Another joked: "The coronal ridge shows ample structure to support the musculature of antennae, although none are visible in this view.

"The nose area is broad and blunted as you would expect to see in a cold and windy landscape. Is he decapitated or is he buried up to his neck?"

I mean, if they had anything remotely legitimate to claim as an "alien skull" and not a "deformed bowling ball" then there would be some serious debate. As it is, this particular phenomenon shouldn't even be up for discussion. Feel free to judge for yourself though, in the picture above.

Oh, in totally unrelated news, I lost my pet rock last week. Please call 1-800-555-DERP if you've seen it.