Author: KJ McElrath

Freeze You Now, Heal You Later: Cryonics Becomes One Step Closer to Reality

Freeze You Now, Heal You Later: Cryonics Becomes One Step Closer to Reality

Posted by | Jan 26, 2016 | , |

Cryonics, the science of freezing humans and animals with the intention of reviving them later, has long been the stuff of science fiction. Recently however, it has become one step closer to science fact. Interestingly, it wasn’t the result of ongoing research, but rather, an accident. The story begins almost a year ago. On the evening of February 20, Justin Smith of McAdoo, Pennsylvania, tripped while walking home, fell into a snowbank, and passed out. There he remained until his father discovered his body the next morning. By that time, Justin’s body temperature had dropped to 68 degrees (normal...

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Was a Defective Prescription Drug Responsible for Glenn Frey’s Death?

Was a Defective Prescription Drug Responsible for Glenn Frey’s Death?

Posted by | Jan 26, 2016 | , |

Fans of the 1970s rock band Eagles were stunned last week to learn of the death of guitarist Glenn Frey at the age of 67. Evidence is now emerging, indicating that the medications Frey was taking for his rheumatoid arthritis might have been a contributing factor to his demise. According to his manager and personal friend, Irving Azoff, Frey had been battling rheumatoid arthritis for fifteen years. Frey died from complications related to ulcerative colitis, which Azoff says were side effects of the medications. Frey’s physicians should have known as well. However, instead of taking him off the medications and...

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Big Banks Making A Killing From Overdraft and ATM Fees

Big Banks Making A Killing From Overdraft and ATM Fees

Posted by | Jan 25, 2016 | , , |

It happens to most of us on occasion: You take out a bit of cash at an ATM at the wrong time and unintentionally wind up overdrawn by say, $25. Some banks call that a “cash advance” or “overdraw privilege.” On the average, those banks charge a whopping $34 fee for that privilege. If you don’t catch the error for three days – the amount of time it typically takes for a banking institution to inform the consumer – that works out to an interest rate of 17,000 percent. It’s all perfectly legal. Keep in mind that these institutions...

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By 2050 There Will Be More Plastic Than Fish In The Ocean

By 2050 There Will Be More Plastic Than Fish In The Ocean

Posted by | Jan 22, 2016 | , , |

For all of its usefulness, plastic can be a vile substance. Primarily made from petroleum, the various types of plastics do not degrade. That means that they’ll be around for archaeologists to find centuries from now. The bad news is that our oceans are full of the stuff, and it is going to get much worse between now and 2050 unless humanity stops using the sea as its collective trash bin and finds a way to clean it all up. This is according to a recent study from the World Economic Forum, which also reports that virtually every marine bird has...

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Attack On Free Press: SC Lawmaker Wants Journalist Registry

Attack On Free Press: SC Lawmaker Wants Journalist Registry

Posted by | Jan 22, 2016 | , |

  GOP State Representative Mike Pitts of South Carolina’s 14th District fought to keep the Confederate Battle flag flying over the Palmetto State and was investigated by a local newspaper for spending campaign money on personal goods and services. He is now demanding that journalists be registered and approved by the state before they are allowed to report on political campaigns and issues, or any other kind of news. Pitts’ bill, the “South Carolina Responsible Journalism Registry Law,” was introduced in the state legislature this week. Part of the bill’s text was leaked to local reporter Gavin Jackson of...

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