Midday Open Thread

• The Internet, as we know it, could become obsolete in the not-too-distant future.

  At speeds about 10,000 times faster than a typical broadband connection, “the grid” will be able to send the entire Rolling Stones back catalogue from Britain to Japan in less than two seconds.

  The latest spin-off from Cern, the particle physics centre that created the web, the grid could also provide the kind of power needed to transmit holographic images; allow instant online gaming with hundreds of thousands of players; and offer high-definition video telephony for the price of a local call.

  David Britton, professor of physics at Glasgow University and a leading figure in the grid project, believes grid technologies could “revolutionise” society. “With this kind of computing power, future generations will have the ability to collaborate and communicate in ways older people like me cannot even imagine,” he said.

• The Olympic torch arrived in San Francisco this morning.
• Almost half of the workers on one floor of a NASA building have reportedly developed cancer. The affected employees all work for at an experimental engineering building within NASA.
• Dick Cheney will become the first Vice President to receive a government funded security detail after he leaves office. Traditionally offered to the President and family, it has not typically been extended to an outgoing VP. Didn't he make enough money off of Haliburton to pay for his own private security?
• CBS is considering outsourcing some of its reporting duties to CNN.
• Google unveils another amazing new map feature, designed to track refugees.

  Internet search giant Google Inc. unveiled a new feature Tuesday for its popular mapping programs that shines a spotlight on the movement of refugees around the world.

  The maps will aid humanitarian operations as well as help inform the public about the millions who have fled their homes because of violence or hardship, according to the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which is working with Google on the project.

• iLoveMountains.org and the NRDC have made this a day to call your representative and urge support of the Clean Water Protection Act. The momentum is shifting on this issue, and the Act is really gaining traction.  So keep pushing!  For more information go here.- devilstower
• Progress Now unveiled their new video thanking Colorado's Republican candidate for Senate, "Big Oil Bob" Shaffer, for record oil profits at the expense of taxpayers.
• And, last, but certainly not least ---  The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Memphis Tigers last night, 75-68, to become the NCAA Champions. It was an incredible game, culminating with a last second 3 point shot by Mario Chalmers that would send the game in overtime and give the Jayhawks the momentum to win the game.  For any midwestern Kossacks/Jayhawkers, if you can get to Lawrence today, the team will be arriving at Memorial Stadium at 3 pm CDT.  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!