An article on Space.com discusses the changing landscape of the space advocacy movement. NASA’s role is changing by necessity, and the libertarian public sector is making some big noises. We live in exciting times.

Researchers in Ohio have created the first synthetic fractal molecule at the nanoscale. No word yet on what uses it will have, however.

The Blue Brain project is attempting to create a working simulation of the human brain to advance cognition research. Using one of IBM’s ‘Blue Gene’ supercomputers, they have managed to model the firing of 10,000 neurons – now all they have to do is work out how to deal with the huge amount of data produced.

Sidney Blumenthal’s expose of the Bush White House’s successful efforts to dismantle the CIA puts a knee-jerk liberal in an awkward place. After all, the CIA is not exactly a well-respected organization in leftward circles. Even so, if Blumenthal’s insider gossip is accurate, it doesn’t take much thought to realize the transfer of covert power from a civilian agency to a military one won’t do much to further a rational humanitarian agenda.

Yet another major flaw has been found in Diebold voting machines. Why this surprises anyone, I’m not sure. Best quote in the linked article: “All of us who have heard the technical details of this are really shocked. It defies reason that anyone who works with security would tolerate this design.”