unfortunately, we don’t have a mechanism for testing on consumers in that way, at least not in statistically significant numbers, so really what we end up with is the entire consumer base being used as non-understanding guinea pigs

Warp, I don’t doubt your experience, but mine includes Minuteman III missiles with a service life of 17 years that were successfully fired at 40. Guns are as only as good as the ammo, and no missile cruiser only has only one firing tube for exactly that reason. All energetic materials degrade, otherwise our safety…

Unfortunately, there is zero advancement without testing on _something_. So, you either accept animal testing, or human testing, or our medical knowledge stops now. And I mean NOW. We wouldn’t be delayed 30 years, we would be delayed indefinitely. There is no advancement without experimentation.

No, sorry, that’s the concept of a “wooden round”. If you think that your “larger caliber guns” don’t also have energetic materials that age out, then you fundamentally misunderstand the nature of projectile weaponry.

As a white male (of a certain age and progressive bent), can I place my vote for: Cyborg. John Stewart, Green Lantern. The Obama-inspired Superman from Multiversity. Fire and Ice. I gave up on DC past the New 52, so I don’t know if the new Wally West has any good characterization, although I have a soft spot in my…

Sorry, I don’t agree. Thalidomide wasn’t a testing issue, it was a mis-understanding of what chemical isomers can do. Penicillin was far before the testing regimen was so strict. The “combination of alternatives methods” doesn’t actually address the effect of new chemicals on the human system, and I doubt it its “90%”…

I wish what you were saying was true. But it is an astonishingly large cognitive leap for the average consumer to make from “not tested on animals” to “tested on you, now!”

Except, and I recognize your point, the same probability of success applies to mouse trials for cancer drugs. So pick your poison.

Just for the fun of it, I’m going to wade in. Before the ad-hominem attacks, and everyone telling me that I am a horrible, disgusting person who is going to spend eternity being painted with acid cosmetics by too cute bunny demons, let me say the following:

Does anyone have experience with power line adapters? Our laptop lives on a kitchen counter, which means the only outlets are GFCI. Will these still work?

Does anyone have experience with power line adapters? Our laptop lives on a kitchen counter, which means the only…

There. fixed that headline for you

presidential candidate and sun-dried tomato Donald Trump

I traveled for a large number of years with the version that Think Geek had (tiny, dull blade, plus a couple of multi-tool capabilities) and never even got it looked at. Of course, it’s a completely harmless device. I could do more damage on an aircraft taking a laptop and braining you with it. Finally got it taken…

I traveled for a large number of years with the version that Think Geek had (tiny, dull blade, plus a couple of…

I am absurdly ecstatic that Trump is running. Without Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin, there just wasn’t enough batshit crazy in the election until he joined!

It’s actually a good idea, but seems pretty randomly executed. I don’t really think that nearly as many people are worrying about how to get half a tank of gas out of Flint, MI. At least not as compared to, oh, say, the hundred larger cities in the US...

You're talking about the Supremacy Clause about people who believe in Nullification. Good luck there.

Please look up the difference between ethylmercury and methylmercury. I'll wait. Or just go to Slate's Bad Astronomy blog and let Phil Plait explain it to you.

I am a mechanical engineer, and I hate hate hate rollercoasters (my six year old loves them, however, and I made her a promise that I would ride anything she was tall enough to ride). As an engineer (who stupidly trusts other engineers), the only reason I don’t do something really embarassing on the rides, is because…

What about for a 6 year old? My daughter loved Ponyo...

What about for a 6 year old? My daughter loved Ponyo...

My six-year old daughter is old enough to have her own iPad, headphones, and seat, and she still insists on singing whatever she is listening to at the top of her lungs, ESPECIALLY if we ask her to be quiet. ;-)