The First SUV was a Hybrid

What do the first gas-electric hybrid, the first 4-wheel drive vehicle, and the first Porsche have in common?

They were all one vehicle.

In 1896, a young Austrian engineer, Ferdinand Porsche, was hired by the Lohner carriage company to develop their first-ever motor carriage. He developed a system with a small gas engine powering electric motors in the wheels. It was so efficient and effective, the resulting car was one of the fastest in Europe, and would later become the standard system used in modern locomotives, and the top solar racecars.

Diamond is a World's Best Friend

Surely everyone knows about 'rockstar' scientist Jared Diamond? You know, who won the Pulitzer for providing solid scientific evidence that proves geography, and not race, led to white people having the upper hand. The same man who's new book, Collapse, explains how societies ignoring environmental destruction often meet grim fates.

His books - Guns Germs and Steel & Collapse - are long reads, so download the abridged audio versions and listen on your commute, or when you're doing laundry. If that's still too hard, here's a 1-hour lecture, where he offers a summary of Collapse: Video via Google Video

Great Humor from Disturbing Facts

Dr. Albert Bartlett of the University of Colorado in a video he made over twelve years ago, but the reality check he presents is still shocking to the point that I found myself bursting out laughing. Keep in mind his analogy of the bacteria in a jar as he presents preposterous claims from energy 'experts' and the most trusted news sources in the nation.

At first, he keeps flashing math equations, but that ends about 3 minutes in. Al's a respected professor, but he's not popular at business conventions or international summits. Can you imagine why?

UPDATE: I'm sorry to report that the entire video is no longer available, but a shortened version has been posted, which shows the first 20 minutes, of what was a 1-hour show. I have a copy, and I'll try to get it posted again.

Thank You for Believing in Junk Science

You've heard of all those 'fake grassroots' and 'fake expert' organizations, created by big dirty corporations to deny environmental science, but did you know that the biggest and baddest of 'em all was created by our old pals, Phillip Morris?

Full Story via The Guardian

Ripley Would Be Proud....

Believe It or Not, there are facts out there that make 'reality' feel far from solid. We're not talking conspiracy theories, just well-documented facts and scientifc evidence that lurks beneath the facade of our happy-shiny modern world.

I present to you a collection of news articles, essays, links, videos and audio of surprising revelations and historical facts that mainstream media has chosen to dodge.

Grab some dramamine, sit back, and enjoy the ride.