8 October 2008: Afternoon By The Morning News — 08 Oct 2008 How the "biological diversity crisis" is binding together biologists, anthropologists, scientists, and storytellers. "New coal plants are 'clean' in the same way that it's 'healthy' to switch from Marlboro Reds to Camel Lights." Why you're likely offending an older person by saying "sweetie," "dear," or "how are we today?" Studies suggest efforts to appear race-blind aren't always productive. Let us not discuss the U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's rap tribute to Jay-Z. The Economist imagines a global election for the next U.S. president, and Obama's winning by an extreme majority. Op: McCain's next gamble? To draw the knife that part of him hates to use. Candidates' photo ops don't reflect "there are more World of Warcraft players in the United States today than there are farmers." Op: Paying taxes is patriotic; borrowing from the Chinese and depending on foreign oil is not. Red Dawn says more today about the Iraq War than the Cold War--except it's the U.S. who's invading and the militants are all Patrick Swayze. Log for which files journalists are requesting from Palin's office. Video: Vowell calls Palin out for trashing NYC, says it was American enough for al Qaeda. Republican Senator Hagel's wife endorses Obama, plays coy when asked about her husband's vote. Welcome to a walkthrough of the ultimate geek library.