eWeek’s article on the return of the web mob is a bit overhyped, but even after discounting the histrionics as typical of security professionals, it presents a portrait of Internet crime that is far more organized than we’re prone to believe.

Everytime I read about a new fat reduction technology, I’m always stricken with feelings of ambivalence. On the one hand, I’m happy because I know the technology is important to somebody, but on the other I know it’s just another way for us to hide the effects of our overconsuptive consumerism and to further the ridiculous overemphasis on beauty in our society. To be honest, I actually didn’t want to post this, but since the technique can also treat heart disesase and acne and since they’re firing lasers at the fat I guess it’s okay.

Alex Steffen over at WorldChanging has done an excellent job of listing the tools that enable us to envision (and in some cases embody) the future.

Noah Shachtman of Defense Tech fame has penned an fascinating article for Popular Mechanics about the Pentagon’s weapon systems plans. Many of the most expensive systems seem the least suited for fighting the war on terrorism.

Rattenberg is a little town in Austria tucked in the shadow of a mountain that sees no sun for long months in the winter. Rattenberg will be installing adjustable mirrors to redirect sunlight from a field about a quarter of a mile away into the town.