Reading Recommendations -- 8/15/2006

• Further evidence in the argument against rampant privatization. No, not in Iraq, this time, but right (t)here in NY.
  
  Sample:

  "Thousands of elevator inspections once done by the city are now handled by private companies. Some of the companies are hired and paid by the landlords themselves. Often these companies are inspecting the same elevators they are paid to maintain ..."

• "How to Make Sure Children Are Scientifically Illiterate," by Lawrence M. Krauss. Reflections on the recent pleasantness in Kansas.
  
  
• Cool phrase: synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy of fossil embryos. (The NYTimes's summary might be an easier place to start. The actual article is a bit specialized.)
  
  
• Cool pic: The self-similarity of the universe, at incomprehensible scales.
  
  
• Hot news: Coffee is good for you. Again. This week. Whatever.