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POPSIn defence of plastic "New plastics that change from liquid to solid on impact are finding applications in protective clothing and plastic products are being developed using the principles of nature - an area of research called biomimetics. So plastic can be valuable and can be used for functions where it needs to last for a considerable length of time. Concepts of green design should now be applied to all new plastics products so that disposable items, such as plastic packaging and throwaway consumer items, biodegrade and do not fill landfill sites or litter the landscape or seas"
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POPSAll there in my parallel universe another example from the article: "China, which is planning a series of different virtual worlds able to host not tens but hundreds of millions of avatars. The idea is to attract people (as avatars) from around the world to come and buy Chinese goods more cheaply from source. In this way they plan to capture the value added to a shirt that leaves a Chinese factory for a dollar but is sold in London for $20."
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POPSWhy do people overbid in auctions? "The art of auctioning is an ancient one. The concept of competitively bidding for goods has lasted from Roman times, when spoils of war were divvied up around a planted spear, to the 21st century, when the spoils of the loft are sold through eBay. But despite society's familiarity with the concept, people who take part in auctions still behave in a strange way - they tend to overbid, offering more money than what they actually think an object is worth".
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POPSCoco Chanel: mobile Art meets Fashion ... Chanel required all the artists to produce work inspired by the quilted handbag, the "2.55," for "February 1955" when it was designed by Coco Chanel. The container will travel from Hong Kong to Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, London, Moscow and Paris over the course of two years.
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POPSThe Press Photographer's Year 2008: Guardian winners Sean Smith winning the multimedia category to add to his successes in the British Press and Royal Television Society journalism awards. Smith's winning entry consisted of stills and video from his time spent with US troops in Baghdad last year. The Press Photographer’s Year, organised in association with the British Press Photographers' Association, is a competition for photographers working around the world
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POPSHow to travel light: living out of one carry-on This is a classic (been around since 1994). Recently came back to it and thought maybe other clippers hadn't seen it. Simple, brilliant site, run by one guy - a long-time traveller - with more advice and practical information than any commercial site.
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POPSFinding Mr. Good Enough I'm probably not one that is representative of this article. I married very young and have been married for a very long time, and I have two beautiful daughters. But does that mean that this should be the ideal for women? Of course not! Having children and a husband is a life-long commitment and one that should never be taken lightly. I think society unduly punishes people by a sort of "silent disapproval" for those who choose not to get married or have children. And I think that is wrong.
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POPSMAKE ME HAPPY! Mortimer J Adler is just a great teacher. He reminds me that tphilosophy, math and science are not intellectual toys that exist in a moral vaccum, but that they have practicle application and are absolutely neccesary tin the pursuit of happiness.
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POPSDisposable Batteries For Your Cell Phone If Bic can make this technology work it would be a pretty huge development for the world of portable electronics. We need new sources of power for the new generation of wireless, juice-hungry gadgets, and fuel cells would deliver significantly more power than today's rechargables. Imagine using your phone for weeks without having to charge it.