Self-decapitation Nov 2, 2006
Somebody asked MetaFilter (via Cynical-C): 
Do you think a super strong person could yank off his own head?

Like one of those strong-man competition guys (the ones who lift those big boulders and carry around telephone poles), or some other freakishly [strong] person, could one of them actually kill himself by ripping off his own head? Or would other physiological factors make this feat impossible?
I personally don't think it would be possible for a few reasons: 
1.  Leverage.  It would be nearly impossible to get enough leverage to yank your own head off with your own arms.  You'd basically be using your triceps and a few other arm and back muscles, and no angle would make it any easier.  If you were flexible enough to use your legs, I highly doubt it would be possible to get a tight enough grip.  It would be much easier with a pulley system or other mechanical device, but that's totally different. 

2.  Tension.  As you exert effort into performing an action, you tense up.  Try it.  The harder you pull on your own head, the tighter your own body keeps it in place. 

3.  Pain.  If you made any progress in removing your head, you'd most likely be forced to stop once you caused any amount of significant damage, such as pulled ligaments or even broken bones.  The pain you'd be in and the emotional shock you'd be experiencing would essentially disable all other body mechanics. 
#science
Login frequency (2) Nov 2, 2006
I don't like using websites that require me to login each time I use them.  Digg, MySpace, and PayPerPost are just a few examples.  In order to access more content or to be able to use advanced features, I'm forced to login either every day or every new browser session.  And what I don't understand is why this happens for reasons other than financial or personal security.  I can understand when my bank makes me login every time.  I can understand why Amazon won't let me buy things until I login.  But MySpace?  What exactly is the MySpace login process protecting me from?  [Answer:  MySpace (heh)]  This is particularly annoying because I know how to fix it (I'm sure it's not a "bug", but rather a "feature"):  Cookies.  It's incredibly easy to make a browser accept a cookie that doesn't expire until 2085.  For all intents and purposes (or intensive purposes; pick your poison), that'll keep you logged in forever.  Gmail and Bloglines seem to have this figured out.  I haven't logged into Bloglines since sometime around last fall.  Gmail asks me to re-login every two weeks or so.  I'm ok with that.  It keeps me honest.  On the other hand, Yahoo makes it seem like I'm logged in.  I can access information and use advanced features.  But when I submit my changes or updates, it says, "Hmm, you don't seem to be logged in.  Please login for security purposes."  If I'm not logged in, I shouldn't be treated like I am.  That's just stupid.  One less point for Yahoo. #technology
Disclosure policy Nov 2, 2006
PayPerPost thinks it's a good idea to have a disclosure policy on every website to let readers know if there's any exchange of money and how that money affects the website's contents.  Using the Disclosure Policy Generator, I created one (Edit:  It's gone now.  Here's why.).  The most important part is this:  "Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for his posts or advertisements, he always gives his honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products."  That's been my deal since the beginning of this PayPerPost thing, and that's how it's gonna be.  I don't mind checking out a new website and offering my opinion on it.  But if the website's owner is requiring me to give a positive opinion of it and I don't have a positive opinion of it, I'm not gonna do it. 

TechCrunch really hates PayPerPost and their supposedly dirty tactics.  So does Matt (whose last name is WordPress [not really]).  And so do a bunch of their commenters.  It's interesting to see this huge battle raging in the internet world and to watch how angry people get about it.  I can sort of see both sides of the argument:  Being paid to post something on a website will just fill the internet with a bunch of paid advertisements disguised as actual posts; but at the same time, most websites are currently filled with contextual ads and mentions of sponsors.  I fail to see the difference.  Whether I disclose payment details or not shouldn't affect my opinion of the payer.  If it does, it's not worth my time. 

This is a sponsored post. #technology