Dave Barry's Year In Review.

"The Decade In Data". (Via @JonHenke.)

Researchers have trapped light in an ultracold cloud of atoms for 1.5 seconds.

Perfect New Year's Eve invention: Synthetic alcohol, without hangovers.

Plus, "[t]he new substance could have the added bonus of being 'switched off' instantaneously with a pill, to allow drinkers to drive home or return to work."

"Top Secret" clearance doesn't mean the same thing throughout the US government.

Update: One reader informs me that, "CIA DOD clearances have been fully reciprocal since at least 2003. Access are different though."

The 370 passwords banned by Twitter for being too insecure. (Via GMSV.)

"Incredible photo of asteroid impact". (Via Radley Balko.)

GPS-Enabled Kitty. (Via Maximizing Progress.)

Gravity wells. (Via Transterrestrial Musings.)

"How Fanboys See Each Others' Operating Systems".

And the related, "How Programming Language Fanboys See Each Others' Languages". (Via Found On The Web.)

"Unexpected Problems For Quantum Money"

Cheap, clean energy: "Who Needs The Grid?"

Off topic: In ESPN fantasy football, the GeekPress Generals had a mediocre regular season in the "John Galt League" -- but had a red-hot playoff stretch to win the league championship tonight.

What I've been reading about the recent TSA security snafu:

Rand Simberg, "Some Thoughts on the Latest Man-Caused Disaster Attempt"

Randy Barnett, "TSA Security Directive SD-1544–09-06"

And this joke:

How many TSA employees does it take to stop a terrorist? Nobody knows, they've never done it.

More restaurant menu psychology. "Those aren't the appetizers you're looking for..."

One tidbit on the four types of restaurant customers, as described by menu consultant Gregg Rapp:

...The customers he calls "Entrees" do not want a lot of description, just the bottom line on what the dish is and how much it is going to cost. "Recipes," on the other hand, ask many questions and want to know as much as they can about the ingredients. "Barbecues" share food and like chatty servers who wear name tags. "Desserts" are trendy people who want to order trendy things.

(Via Marginal Revolution.)

"5 Legal Cases That Defined Music in 2009"

"Why is it dangerous to burn wrapping paper?"

Functional single-molecule transistor.

Why Amazon has to collect sales tax in 5 states but not the other 45.

Includes an explanation of the legal technique called "entity isolation".

"Los Alamos National Laboratory Researchers Accidentally Blow up Building with a Cannon". (Via VA Viper.)