There’s a new headline on ABCNews.com’s newsflash page: Largest Solar System Found Since Pluto. The article itself refers to Quaoar, of course, the largest body found in our solar system since Pluto.

And to think they were talking of downgrading Pluto from “planet” status.

Check out this article from the Washington Post about a recent CNN memo.

Props out to my friend Carey for finding this. In the immortal words of Rudi Bakhtiar, “Thanks, homey!”.

When it comes time for an automobile manufacturer to name a new model, there are a few sets of names from which to choose. Some models are named after animals. Some are named with macho-sounding sequences of consonants and numbers. And some are named after positive human qualities. I have a theory about the last group that I’ve been scientifically developing while driving around the bay area. Simply put, the people who purchase a car named after such a trait do not possess the trait themselves. This explains the Acura Vigor whose driver can barely accelerate through an intersection when the light turns green. This explains the Dodge Intrepid that is paralyzed with fear at the prospect of merging onto the freeway and so attempts it at 35 mph. This explains the Ford Explorer that never ventures further than the local grocery store. And this explains the Lincoln Navigator that is making his third U-turn because he’s missed his exit once again.

I think that the manufacturers should take advantage of this phenomenon to make a series of cars for very targeted (but lucrative) markets. They are a little less subtle than the examples given above, so they should make quite an impact.

For the elderly…

For the overweight…

For the bald…

For just about everybody…

I suppose being invaded by state-sized flying insects does constitute a health issue.

Dave and I finally got around to watching the premiere of Survivor that has been sitting our our Tivo since Thursday. The experience was affected somewhat by the recent reports that contestant Brian Heidik, who is represented as a used car salesman on the show, has a history of involvement in soft porn. In short, this knowledge presented a whole different perspective on the question and answer session with the host, Jeff Probst, during the first tribal council.

Jeff: “Brian. In your profession as a used car salesman, do you have an advantage, do you think, in assimilating with strangers?”

Brian: “No. If you judge people by the surface, or just by sheer looks, then you’re a very shallow person in the first place, so you’ve got to go a lot deeper than that and really get to know people, and it’s just… it’s all about love. So it’s a beautiful thing, once you get to know everyone and not judge the book by its cover. It’s very important. Very important.”

New Dutch research shows that middle-aged women who consume moderate amounts of beer increase their HDL-cholesterol levels. (HDL is the “good cholesterol” that actually reduces the likelihood of heart attacks.) These fun-loving Dutch researchers have defined “moderate” for women as three beers per day. Boring American researchers always define “moderate” as one beer per day for women.

This does me wonder. Were the health benefits due to the actual alcohol consumption? Or to the activities that ensued? I’ve always found that dancing on a table with a lampshade on my head is a very aerobic activity.

Should I be worried?

You decide. The Isle.