| Charles Stross' dense stories have made him a Singularity sensation
When you're convinced you're going to travel to other worlds, science fiction signifies something different to you than the Tales of the Brothers Grimm. And when you look back you realize that the world you live in is science fiction, as seen from the perspective of the past. (But then, the past is another country, isn't it?) Asking me about the guiding purpose of science fiction is a bit like asking a fish about the guiding purpose of the sea. I'd have to say that first and foremost, SF is fiction. It's confabulation. It's the stories we tell each other for amusement and social bonding. I'm skeptical about assigning purpose to an artistic phenomenon, because it's something that, at bottom, we do for fun and communication. (When used for communication it may be used with serious intent, but that's far from being the main purpose of most SF.) Having said that, I do believe it's possible to insert interesting messages in fiction, and because fiction is viewed as a recreational activity this makes it possible to get them across to people who might not otherwise be receptive.
Great Aloha Run Expo 2008
The Great Aloha Run Family Fitness Expo, opens at 4pm tonight for everyone, continues at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and features more than 200 booths that focus on health, financial services, travel, beauty, diet and more. Manolo has a preview with Carol Kai on the event this morning.NBC Exhibition Hall, 528-7388 ... .
Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay named winner of WinterLights Celebrations: A cut above the rest
When it comes to winter, we do it right. The great efforts of the residents of Happy Valley-Goose Bay are the reason the town won the award for the WinterLights Celebrations, says Ken Anthony, director of Tourism, Culture and Recreation for the town. HV-GB won in the 1 to 10,000-population category beating the three competing communities of City of Armstrong, British Columbia, District of Chetwynd, British Columbia, City of Dauphin, Manitoba. Mayor Leo Abbass said the award is recognition of all the hard work done by everyone over the past year. "Work on next years celebrations has already begun and next year will be bigger and better," Mayor Abbass said. WinterLights judges Lisa Redpath and Gerry Teahen, described the community as leaders in the Canadian winter experience. The town offers a unique blend of first class and world-class traditional and cultural indoor and outdoor events for every enthusiast.
Ochoa breaks $4 million barrier
Ochoa, 26, initially appeared to be cruising toward the winner's prize of $US1 million ($A1.13 million) in the final-round shootout at Trump International Golf Club. The Guadalajara native birdied four of the first six holes and picked up another shot at the par-five ninth to reach the turn five strokes clear. After a run of seven consecutive pars, she stumbled with a three-putt double bogey at the treacherous par-three 17th before setting up her sixth birdie of the day with a superb approach to within three feet of the flag at the last. Ochoa, who replaced Swede Annika Sorenstam as the game's leading player in April, calmly rolled in the putt to end the 2007 LPGA season in triumphant style. American Cristie Kerr picked up three shots over the final five holes to claim fourth spot with a 74, four strokes better than fifth-placed Mi Hyun Kim of South Korea who had led over the first two days.
Knowledge Foundation wants a slice of PAU
The Knowledge Foundation Punjab that runs vocational courses like engineering, nursing and B.Ed in private colleges is extending help to the PAU. According to sources, the foundation has suggested to the PAU authorities to make the university self-dependent in the face of a financial crunch by offering 70 per cent of its stakes. This means the 46-year-old university could end up as a puppet in the hands of the foundation. The university is reeling under financial burden and pensioners have not been paid their dues for the past five months. Also, the government is in no mood to offer it financial assistance. The foundation has asked the university to give the proposal a thought. If the authorities like the idea of a partnership, the courses will be decided by the foundation and experts of the university will design the syllabus.
Wild Card -- Tuesday PM
In two years, the proposal will come up again, and if he succeeds in convincing the public that there is a kinder and gentler Duane, the public will approve the plan with modifications. This is a big one for Duane and he is not going to let it go this easily. Steve Badraun
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Valley schools turning out more medical professionals
A medical school at UC Merced will help address these critical problems. Evidence shows that when medical professionals train in an area, they are more likely to stay in that area. About 88 percent of our nursing graduates at California State University, Stanislaus, remain in the region to practice nursing. The same is likely to be true for physicians and other medical professionals. Therefore, it is crucial that the valley has its own state-of-the-art training facilities and education programs for medicine. As dean of the college of human and health sciences at CSU Stanislaus, one of my most urgent tasks is working with our faculty, health providers and other educational institutions to increase the number of nurses in the region. As with physicians, there is an extreme nursing shortage in the valley.
Foundation screens retired NFL players for health, tests effects of ...
The NFL and retired players are feuding about health care for retired players and the study should provide information about problems. The players have been openly critical of the league and its players union over how much older retirees get from a $1.1 billion fund set aside for disability and pensions. So far, nearly 1,500 players have been screened at 21 sites through the program, said Living Heart founder Dr. Archie Roberts, a heart surgeon and former backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. Dr. Roberts started the foundation after suffering a stroke eight years ago. The average age of the players screened is 52, with most having played pro ball for about 31/2 years. That means the bulk of their lives are spent off the field, coping with the lasting effects of their playing years, Dr.
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