Monsanto wins case against Canadian farmer. Percy Schmeiser, who has attained folk-hero status, was held liable for growing genetically modified canola without paying the royalty. The decision in a federal court in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was a significant setback for farmers who fear they will be held liable if pollen from neighboring farms blows onto their fields, transmitting patented genes to their crops without their knowledge or consent.
posted to MetaFilter by gimli at 3:19 PM on March 30, 2001 (6 comments)

Flying Windmills and Whirlygigs. As the windy month comes to a close, these two stories seem appropriate. Two men on opposite sides of the globe, each a bit of a cross between Edison and Quixote.
posted to MetaFilter by gimli at 11:20 AM on March 30, 2001 (2 comments)

It's the Unaspanker! Read a good manifesto lately? Meet Robin Whittle, a man who has spent an alarming amount of time on a project called "Fondly and Firmly - The Gentlemanly Art of Spanking the Woman You Love." via cruel.com
posted to MetaFilter by gimli at 11:57 AM on March 13, 2001 (15 comments)

Feeling like the odd man out in your favorite geek chatroom? Looking for new ways to alienate your parents, or maybe add a little spice to that threatening email? What if I told you that with one mouse-click you could transform yourself from l4M3R to l33t haX0R? The dream is real with L33t-5p34K G3n3r@t0r .
posted to MetaFilter by gimli at 12:43 PM on February 23, 2001 (6 comments)