How Nature Inspired the Alphabet

32,000 years ago, ancient humans gathered in a cave in Lascaux, France, where, by firelight, they created the first hand-drawn forms--scenes depicting man's relationship with the natural world. The favorite subject in those first drawings was the ancient ox, so impressive in stature and strength, that it was deified by our earliest ancestors. This reverence for nature remained as civilizations formed, and with it, written language. It is no wonder then that subtly hidden within our alphabet today lie the remnants of these ancient forms--many of which reflect the earliest relationships between man and nature. To find them, you just have to look a little closer.

http://ow.ly/16NWIP

Jugendwort des Jahres "Hartzen" zeigt die Tristesse der Gesellschaft

Wie schon sein Vorgänger "Gammelfleischparty" wirft auch das Jugendwort 2009 "hartzen" kein gutes Licht auf die Wahrnehmung sozialer Wirklichkeit. Wer "hartzen" sagt und "gammeln" meint, hat keine differenzierte Vorstellung von den Widrigkeiten, die ein Leben im Zeichen von Hartz IV mit sich bringen kann.

http://www.welt.de/kultur/article5378666/Hartzen-zeigt-die-Tristesse-der-Gesellschaft.html

Social Networking in Plain English

A short explanation of social networking websites and why they are popula

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=6a_KF7TYKVc&feature=channel

Twitter in Plain English

A quick and plain English intro the micro-blogging service Twitter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o

'Mountains' of e-waste threaten developing world

Urgent action is needed to tackle the "mountains" of e-waste building up in developing nations, says a UN report.

Huge amounts of old computers and discarded electronic goods are piling up in countries such as China, India and some Africa nations, it said.

India could see a 500% rise in the number of old computers dumped by 2020, found the survey of 11 nations.

Unless dealt with properly the waste could cause environmental damage and threaten public health, it said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8528066.stm

iPhone developers angry as Apple purges adult apps

Developers have expressed anger at Apple's decision to ban some adult-themed applications from its iPhone.

Thousands of apps with adult-themed content have been removed from the store since Friday although some, such as one from Playboy, remain.

Apple has said that certain apps were removed following customer complaints.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8530124.stm

Green Energy Hits the Track

Auto racing is hardly one of the greenest sports out there. But Porsche has now come up with a racecar outfitted with a hybrid engine. The technology could ultimately find its way onto the street.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,678172,00.html