Headlines from October 4, 2011

British Airways to sell $200 courses on how to survive an airline evacuation.
Feminists rally against “mademoiselle,” call for French equivalent of “Ms.”
Journalist follows protocol to Interview a woman with 100-plus personalities.
The strongest case for Romney is that he’s nobody’s idea of a savior. David Brooks defends Mitt Romney.
Leading contender for U.S. presidency suggests sending troops into Mexico.
Corrections to misperceptions about Mexican immigration.
Mexico proposes two-year marriage contract—to be renewed if the couple stays happy.
Perilous economic period predicted unless world leaders avoid catastrophe.
North Carolina—a must-win for Obama—going deeply red with Art Pope’s money. #longreads
Saying Steve Jobs is like Thomas Edison shows a lack of appreciation for Thomas Edison. #opinions
How to get rid of a Nobel Prize Medal when it’s 23-karat gold and banned by the Nazis.
Self-help and writerly-bar recommendations from the Paris Review’s Lorin Stein.
Maurice Sendak is angry and hilarious about ebooks, Rushdie, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Timothy Hutton, snippet-reader, stars in book trailer for an author he only knows on Twitter. #video
How to peel a head of garlic in 10 seconds. #video
The most popular contraceptive for women in southern and eastern Africa appears to double the risk of HIV.
LAPD says 911 response will suffer as officers are pulled to monitor prisoners released due to overcrowding.
Spectators came by the thousands from far and wide. When Texas counties handled executions. via
Neal Stephenson surveys the history of science fiction and its role in inspiring innovation.
A flowchart helps you decide which of NPR’s top 100 sci-fi and fantasy books to read.
Mark Bittman’s dinner party matrix takes the stress out of planning a menu.
Our mouths shape our lives, from aiding chances of stardom to creating the illusion of accents. #anatomy
A four-year-old learns Darth Vader is Luke’s father. #video
All strobe lights and lighting that panned into the house were cut. Attending an autism-friendly version of The Lion King.
Researchers say pale skin may not be able to produce necessary levels of vitamin D.
World’s largest sperm bank stops accepting samples from redheads, says supply is there but demand isn’t.
It’s hard not to wonder how long the rest will survive. What Borders left behind.
See also: “The Day Borders Got the Wobblies.”