Hong Kong horror For someone raised on Western horror traditions, horror stories from the East can seem very strange. Doubtless the reverse is true as well. For comparison's sake for all of us Western Monkeys, A Chinese Ghost Story, parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 (all links YouTube). more inside

It's Alive! Aiiiiive!!! Craig Venter, the controversial DNA researcher involved in the race to decipher the human genetic code, has built a synthetic chromosome out of laboratory chemicals and is poised to announce the creation of the first new artificial life form on Earth. MuwHAhahahaaaaa!!! more inside

Digital redecorating I learned about Digital Blasphemy's 3D rendered desktop wallpapers years ago, when the entire site was free, and was impressed with the quality and artistry of the work offered for there. The site still has a free gallery, and links to other 3D artist sites. more inside

The Age of Apoplexy. Passionate disagreement isn’t sufficient; bad faith must be imputed to one’s opponents: skepticism of affirmative action equals racism, antiwar sentiment equals anti-Americanism (or terrorist sympathy), criticism of Israel is by definition anti-Semitic, and so on. More and more people think they’re entitled to the right not just to ignore or disapprove, but to veto and banish.

Crime and Punishment. A collection of early 20th century crime-related photos, including some occasionally frightening, occasionally depressing, but always fascinating mugshots. [via ectomo.]

Make a Dalek Chocolate Cake more inside

Peanuts, by Charles Bukowski. On Progressive Boink, but found via usenet.

Plants for a Future I was poking around wikipedia reading up on native Inca cuisine when I stumbled across this site. It's a searchable database of underutilized edible, medicinal, and otherwise useful plant species.

Froot loops unite! This website is a rock solid website. It is about business, money, investments, and New World Order, One World Government, Banks, Blue Country, Orange Country, Brown Country, Green Country, Gold Country, Purple Country and Green Country. more inside

David Bolinsky talks about truth and beauty in science, particularly on the molecular level (flash video). One of the medical animators who worked on Cellular Visions: The Inner Life of a Cell (previously), he also provides some commentary about the first three minutes of the Cellular Visions animation. more inside

Curious George goes to Homecoming . Remember High School? Remember Homecoming? more inside

Our Photoshop Skillz suck This guy might just be omnipresent.

METALOCALYPSE - DETHWATER more inside

RIGHT VS LEFT I'm able to view a change of direction at will. Which one are you?

Ron Mueck is a former special effects artist and muppet designer turned hyperrealist sculptor. His process is complex(large video warning, dialup users beware), but the results are impressive. (Only first link guaranteed SFW.) more inside

5 months in jail. But dude, the ostrich totally beat him up first!

LTH Forum a Chicago based culinary chat site. Many reviews with photo goodness. Curious George - What's the best restaurant review site in your town?

The appendix has a purpose, after all... It produces and protects good germs for your intestines. YAY! Now that's sorted out, let's all vote on what the new most pointless part of the body is.

Basketball Jones. "I wouldn't be talking to you if it wasn't for basketball," Jim Jones Jr. says. "It spared my life." The words are not an empty cliché. They are true. Basketball kept this family alive, and now [his son] Rob and basketball are helping restore honor to the family name. Why? Because the name "Jones" can be found in the history books and in news coverage from 29 years ago, linked to an infamous place called Jonestown.

Fundamentalists Hate Noah's Ark - The story of Noah and the Ark leaves much to be desired, from many different fields of knowledge.