YA author Karen Healey gives her feelings on teen fiction, swearing, and the latest round of censorship pleas. Seriously? The "let's protect all the kiddies by coating the planet in sanitized rubber" movement makes me crazy. I suppose censorship is easier than thinking or actual parenting for that matter.

There's a great interview over at SFSignal on Some Thoughts on Post Colonialism and Politics in SF. And well, here's a link from NPR on baby-naming and political affiliations. (Statistically, it doesn't work out the way you'd think it would.) I thought this article on Why Some Nations Become Wealthy While Others Remain Stuck in Poverty was pretty facinating. Take-away point: "Countries that have what they call “inclusive” political governments — those extending political and property rights as broadly as possible, while enforcing laws and providing some public infrastructure — experience the greatest growth over the long run. By contrast, Acemoglu and Robinson assert, countries with “extractive” political systems — in which power is wielded by a small elite — either fail to grow broadly or wither away after short bursts of economic expansion." I've long felt that extreme conservatism and well as Libertarianism both think short term. "American" corporations certainly do these days.

On a lighter note... and now... McSweeney's "Ultimate Guide to Writing."

Spent entire day yesterday dressed in my jammies, eating aspirin and hanging out on the couch. Watched mostly brainless films* until the very last -- Casino Royal (2006)** -- which told me my brain was finally getting back to normal. Just couldn't bring myself to think. It hurt too much. Am feeling so much better today. Dane says I'm my self again. Which is good. I've two days of slack to make up for today. So much writing to do. Am looking forward to it.
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* Underworld and Days of Thunder. I couldn't watch Underworld all the way through. I usually can't. Days of Thunder was awful, but it featured growly engines. So, I made it all the way through.
** That film was so well written. Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond and always will be, I suspect. And Eva Green hits that sweet spot of smart, tough, competent, feminine, and a little bit vulnerable. Come to think of it, Craig's Bond has that vulnerable quality too. I think I prefer characters (either male or female) who are a touch vulnerable. It makes them more realistic and sympathetic.