Where are these sugar maple trees...

...in Greece? (This is my iPhone photo, which isn't very crisp. Also? There were *two* brands of Greek Maple yoghurt at Whole Foods today. I stuck to cherry.)

A navel accounting study

No, that isn't a typo for "naval." It seems that, when we weren't watching last year, a research group in North Carolina released a study of bacteria in people's belly buttons. The survey of bacteria was impressive.

The Belly Button Biodiversity (BBB) project showed 2,368 species of bacteria in just 60 navels. Of those bacteria, 1,458 were "new to science."

I'm pretty sure this isn't an April Fool's study, since the links connect and the article, study, and other references are all dated in November and December of 2012.

Impressive.

(Via Reddit.)

The final refuge of those who cannot argue

From an email list exchange just now:

Person 1: "Blah, blah. [Insert assertion based on misuse of word.] I'm right, and you're wrong."

Person 2 [quite gently]: "I don't think you meant to use that word. It means X. Here's a different word which may be more appropriate."

Person 1: "You knave! You scoundrel! You're wrong, and I'm right. Also? [Insert gratuitous insult here.]"

Person 2: [with annoyance, warranted by responses by Person 1] "Okay, if I'm wrong, I may be an idiot. My research shows most sources agree with me, however. Enlighten me and provide references, please?"

Person 1: "I'm right. You're wrong. I don't need to provide sources. [Insert more gratuitous insults here.] Also? You are vile, since you top-posted. Take *that*, varlet!"

I mean, really? This is the last refuge of idiots. "You are horrible and clearly wrong since you top-posted."

What a jackass.