Land turned to biofuels in the US alone in the last two years would have fed nearly 250 million people with average grain needs. Prices of all staple food has risen 80% in three years. 33 countries face unrest because of these price rises. Subsidiziation of Biofuel is driving the poor to starvation. In Bangladesh Biofuel production hits food security. Half of Pakistan population at the risk of food insecurity, warns WFP. Cost of food increases hunger in Nepal. wiki
posted to MetaFilter by adamvasco at 9:19 AM on April 5, 2008 (81 comments)

What version of Linux would be appropriate for installing on a 10-year old computer?
posted to Ask Metafilter by chips ahoy at 9:25 PM on March 14, 2008 (17 comments)

Which wireless internet camera would you recommend for deployment in a library? Also, does some form of wireless noise monitor exist?
posted to Ask Metafilter by robocop is bleeding at 8:12 AM on March 7, 2008 (10 comments)

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip across Canada. Should we rent a car or take the train?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ndicecco at 8:26 PM on March 4, 2008 (13 comments)

In my quest to learn Ruby, I'm struggling to find everyday usable code examples that i can relate to. Might you suggest some ?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jmnugent at 9:46 PM on March 1, 2008 (28 comments)

DumbQuestionFilter: Is my sourdough starter supposed to shrink?
posted to Ask Metafilter by esilenna at 2:49 AM on February 29, 2008 (9 comments)

Love is everyone. Love is a not so massively multiplayer game that uses Verse. Worlds are built on top of a procedural engine (like Spore) and content creation is done in real time. Someone recently took a look at Love and it was good. Did I mention it was open source? And written by one guy, Eskil Steenberg.
posted to MetaFilter by ryoshu at 1:46 AM on February 28, 2008 (19 comments)

I've been listening to the Black Kids' "Wizard of Ahhhs" EP for about the past four hours, and I'm loving it for all the same reasons I love The Go! Team. I guess I just love a catchy, groupy, poppy-but-will-also-rock-your-socks-off sound. Does anyone have suggestions for other similar acts I should check out?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Hello, Revelers! I am Captain Lavender! at 6:21 PM on February 19, 2008 (14 comments)

Walk longer or walk faster?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jacquilynne at 4:49 PM on February 19, 2008 (19 comments)

The first drive-in movie theater was opened on June 6, 1933, by salesman Richard M. Hollingshead in Camden, N.J. On the bill was a twilight showing of the British comedy Wife Beware. And so the drive-in era was born, peaking in 1958 with almost 5,000 theaters in the U.S alone. These days you'd be hard pressed trying to find one but thankfully there are plenty of handy lists online telling you just where to find one (there's even one for Aussies like me!). And that's not all we have to be thankful for; the drive-in scene is apparently witnessing something of a "mini-revival" at present. Don't feel like going out? Then why not make your own? First you'll need instructions on how to build one. Then you'll need intermission-advertisements (you can download or even just watch heaps of them for free here). And then you'll need a handy list of the kinds of films they used to show at the drive-in. If you're in the US, you'll need to know some of the special rules the FCC has for drive-ins, and if you have any more questions, I'm sure the fine folk at the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association could help. All of this sound like too much work? Then just sit back and check out the videos and photos on this nice site (it's about drive-ins, of course!).
posted to MetaFilter by Effigy2000 at 4:04 AM on February 18, 2008 (43 comments)

The Secret Museum of Mankind :: "Published in 1935, the Secret Museum is a mystery book. It has no author or credits, no copyright, no date, no page numbers, no index ... The tone of the commentary is dated, and uniformly racist in the extreme, often hilariously so. It reads like the patter of a carnival sideshow barker, from a time when the world was divided between "modern" Europeans and "savages" ... Presented here is the Secret Museum in its entirety, all 564 pages scanned and transcribed-- nothing is omitted or censored ... Treat it as entertainment instead of education (don't take it seriously and don't believe a word it says!), adjust for the blatant racial bias of the time, and enjoy."
posted to MetaFilter by anastasiav at 7:41 AM on February 14, 2008 (67 comments)

My brother (almost 15) and I (19) are going to Singapore this March by ourselves. I've been planning the itinerary though my dad says it reads like an educational field trip. Help me undorkify it, then.
posted to Ask Metafilter by drea at 7:16 PM on February 15, 2008 (25 comments)

What's a good CMS to make a slashdot/kuro5hin/plastic.com/digg clone?
posted to Ask Metafilter by philosophistry at 7:50 PM on February 10, 2008 (16 comments)

What is a workshop? I have been giving public speeches at conferences and the like for years, but occasionally I am asked to give a workshop and I'm not sure what one is or how to do one under the specific circumstances that I am often in.
posted to Ask Metafilter by jessamyn at 10:34 AM on February 9, 2008 (28 comments)

I think its time that we joined a serious debate about how to reconcile faith with our modern pluralistic society. Obama on religion and politics. (SLnonYTP)
posted to MetaFilter by allkindsoftime at 4:42 AM on February 10, 2008 (142 comments)

Niagara-Region-Filter: What should I check out in the Niagara region?
posted to Ask Metafilter by gursky at 9:21 PM on February 9, 2008 (13 comments)

Wikipedia says: "One of the largest producers of public domain stock footage is the United States government. All videos produced by the United States military, NASA, and other agencies are available for use as stock footage." Where?
posted to Ask Metafilter by muscat at 11:04 PM on February 9, 2008 (12 comments)

What happens to the losing side's swag in a big sporting event? (Obviously, it's disposed of. But how? And by whom?)
posted to Ask Metafilter by bardic at 4:35 PM on February 8, 2008 (7 comments)

Having hosted over 5,000 episodes of Jeopardy, it would be impossible for Alex Trebek not to spaz out once in a while. Here are some of those magical times (this ones got swearing...). Trust me, nobody else in the world swears with as much raw talent.
posted to MetaFilter by pwally at 5:31 PM on February 7, 2008 (39 comments)

Who writes like S. E. Hinton? So, a ten year old boy who is extremely bright, but has pretty much avoided all reading, has just plowed through every S. E. Hinton book at a rapid pace. We would like to continue this new found love of reading but we need some books which will catch his interest.
posted to Ask Metafilter by caddis at 7:52 PM on February 7, 2008 (33 comments)

Meditation - what is the point exactly?
posted to Ask Metafilter by stenoboy at 3:15 AM on February 5, 2008 (38 comments)

What's the best device I can buy or build for under $300 that will download (over bittorrent), serve, and maybe even play my video files?
posted to Ask Metafilter by raygan at 8:56 PM on February 3, 2008 (16 comments)

How can I watch the SuperBowl XLII online? Neither of cable channels here in my country will air it (ESPN aired everything BUT the SuperBowl) so I need to try the Internet!
posted to Ask Metafilter by dcrocha at 3:14 PM on February 3, 2008 (3 comments)

How do you know when sourdough starter goes bad?
posted to Ask Metafilter by umbú at 9:22 PM on January 20, 2008 (10 comments)

Can meditation help me become a better writer?
posted to Ask Metafilter by robotdog at 9:31 PM on February 2, 2008 (13 comments)

The return of tight money fiscal conservatism? Former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker endorses Barack Obama.
posted to MetaFilter by markkraft at 1:07 AM on February 2, 2008 (35 comments)

What is the origin of the lampshade on the head gag? Is there any reason beyond absurdity that it's supposed to be funny?
posted to Ask Metafilter by ozomatli at 3:43 PM on February 2, 2008 (18 comments)

Old Computer Filter: I was cleaning out a few boxes the other day from my closet and found my ST-251-1 MFM drive that I had in my first IBM based PC. It had a whopping 40MB. Even though I know it may not boot up after all this time, I still can't help but wonder if it will and would love a chance to see a snapshot of what I was doing computer-wise in 1986. Does anyone in the Hivemind know if there is an adapter/card/whatever to plug an old MFM drive into IDE or USB?
posted to Ask Metafilter by damiano99 at 5:04 PM on February 1, 2008 (13 comments)

Microsoft offers $44.6 billion for Yahoo! The grand old man of Redmond has finally come out of the closet to woo the loveliest lady in Sunnyvale, offering a staggering $44.6 billion in cash or shares. Cash or shares? Wow! Bearing in mind the...ah...disappointments both companies have suffered over the recent past, is this a marriage made in heaven? Or hell?
posted to MetaFilter by Duug at 4:45 AM on February 1, 2008 (199 comments)

Are ninjas bullshit?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Bookhouse at 1:11 PM on February 1, 2008 (17 comments)

I'm getting cable for the first time in 5 years soon, and I'd like to get one of these new-fangled PVRs. I've found plenty of info on TiVos, but I'm having trouble finding recent information on alternatives, like MythTV. Does anyone have first-hand experience or quality links?
posted to Ask Metafilter by chrisamiller at 1:30 AM on February 1, 2008 (29 comments)

Which American university (not liberal arts, i.e. Colby) Alma mater uses the tune of O'Canada as their anthem?
posted to Ask Metafilter by strangelove at 3:28 AM on February 1, 2008 (9 comments)

According to the latest biweekly numbers released last Thursday by the Federal Reserve, for the two weeks that ended January 16th American banks had negative $1.3 billion in non-borrowed reserves. This is, historically, extremely unusual; just two months ago they had $30 billion (positive, of course) in non-borrowed reserves. The only reason some banks haven't been shut due to insufficient -- negative! -- reserve requirements is that the Federal Reserve is currently loaning them enough money through the brand new TAF (Term Auction Facility) program (also running in Canada and Europe) to make up their shortfalls. Today's TAF press release says that 52 American banks or institutions are currently receiving loans totaling ~$40 billion -- but the Fed refuses to name who they are.
posted to MetaFilter by Asparagirl at 8:58 PM on January 29, 2008 (162 comments)

I want to conquer my apparent inability to comprehend or write code. I'm looking for stories (or real life applicable tips from those of you who write code for a living) where you had the "A HA, I understand this finally" epiphany moment. I realize this might sound like an overly generic question, which is why there is ....
posted to Ask Metafilter by jmnugent at 4:20 PM on January 29, 2008 (55 comments)

Where do 35 to 45 year olds hang out on the web? Do social media sites specifically for this age group exist out there?
posted to Ask Metafilter by vizsla at 6:23 AM on January 29, 2008 (21 comments)

Is this the end of the bus timetable? It can be bloody cold in Helsinki in January. The last thing you want to do is hang around too long for a bus or tram. Soon you won't have to because Helsinki City Transport is currently fitting *its entire fleet* with Linux servers. Not only will each bus or tram become a travelling wireless hotspot, but you will be able to see exactly where in the city your new bus actually is. Meaning that you only step into the bitter cold the minute before it arrives. (its in beta but you can see the effects of the live trial)
posted to MetaFilter by MrMerlot at 5:23 AM on January 27, 2008 (49 comments)

I have ADD. What are some specific steps that can help me focus on getting a task done?
posted to Ask Metafilter by fogster at 7:31 PM on January 26, 2008 (16 comments)

The Case for the First Folio For centuries, editors of Shakespeare's plays have conflated different published editions (quartos and folios) in an attempt to create one true text as the writer intended. In this essay (.pdf file) Jonathan Bate, one of the editors of The RSC Shakespeare makes the case that in fact what they're doing is editing together different drafts of the play originated by the bard at different times in his life attempting to make better dramatic sense. Essentially that none of the texts you studied at school are what Shakespeare intended to be performed at all.
posted to MetaFilter by feelinglistless at 4:42 PM on January 25, 2008 (29 comments)

Why should I be generous?
posted to Ask Metafilter by cluelessguru at 3:31 PM on January 25, 2008 (80 comments)

What are some amazing adventures, anywhere on the planet, that take around 3 months to do?
posted to Ask Metafilter by twirlypen at 4:15 PM on January 25, 2008 (13 comments)

Atlantic Magazine opens its archives. Atlantic Magazine announced today that they will drop subscriber-only access to the site, giving full access to every issue of the last 12 years. Where to start? Well, I particularly recommend David Foster Wallace's fascinating examination of right-wing talk radio (DFW trademark footnotes intact), Hitler's Forgotten Library, and Eric Schlosser's The Prison-Industrial Complex. (via)
posted to MetaFilter by Horace Rumpole at 12:36 PM on January 22, 2008 (51 comments)

Is it necessary to include ® or ™ symbols on every instance of a logo or brand name?
posted to Ask Metafilter by andreux at 2:27 PM on January 23, 2008 (6 comments)

What are some safe online pharmacies to buy cheap generic drugs from?
posted to Ask Metafilter by anybirds at 10:14 AM on January 22, 2008 (11 comments)

What's the origin of/meaning behind the idiom of inviting a lady to inspect one's collection of etchings as a (euphemized/veiled?) sexual proposition?
posted to Ask Metafilter by juv3nal at 11:24 PM on January 21, 2008 (15 comments)

Justice, the french electro-whatever group (read: Daft Punk)(previously discussed here) recently had their addition to the prestigious FabricLive Series rejected for not entirely clear reasons, although the relatively short length (40-something minutes) and taste (or perhaps the lack of) may have been factors. Justice, being the gentlemen they are, decided to give the mix away as a Christmas present to their friends (yes, I'm a little late on this, but not as late as you, presumably), and it is now readily available for anyone to download here. I'm only familiar with a few of the artists in the mix (Fucking Champs! Goblin!), but it's a pretty good time, and definitely a big, fat middle finger to most of the minimal techno mixes which Fabric usually releases, which is probably why they rejected it in the first place. Lots of old pop, funk and super-cheesy french music (and the FUCKING CHAMPS!), tell me what you guys think!
posted to MetaFilter by domakesaypat at 4:12 PM on January 21, 2008 (52 comments)

Do I want an Asus Eee PC?
posted to Ask Metafilter by dersins at 9:16 AM on January 21, 2008 (22 comments)

Ubuntu has quickly become the number one Linux distro for the desktop. Not only is it free, but it has also made Linux easier to use than ever. Now, Wubi enables Windows users to install Ubuntu just like any other application, so you no longer have to mess around with partitions, burning CDs, etc.
posted to MetaFilter by Foci for Analysis at 8:09 AM on January 21, 2008 (82 comments)

Line Golfer = Line Rider + mini-golf. A great idea that just needs some super amazing artists to build some awesome levels.
posted to MetaFilter by lubujackson at 12:56 PM on January 18, 2008 (10 comments)

In 1968, three sisters from Fremont, New Hampshire -- Dot, Helen, and Betty Wiggin -- started a band, under the encouragement, support, and management of their father, Austin. Dot recalls that the girls would rise late, practice for two hours, then work on their home-schooling. Then they did their calisthenics, rigidly prescribed by their father, and rehearsed two more hours in the evenings when Austin was home. Over the next 8 years, Austin would rent out the Fremont Town Hall many Saturday nights for a dance; the sisters, known collectively as "The Shaggs," would play their music, while their mother, Annie, would collect tickets and sell sodas (with help from more of the Wiggin siblings). In 1975, Austin Wiggins died; the sisters, without their father to spur them on, laid down their instruments and got on with the rest of their lives.
posted to MetaFilter by not_on_display at 9:22 PM on January 20, 2008 (79 comments)

WTF, LA hospitals? "Gabino Olvera, 42, sued the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center for negligence and elder abuse after it discharged him in February 2007, took him across town in a van and left him in a soiled hospital gown without a wheelchair in the heart of the city's homeless area."
posted to MetaFilter by Kirth Gerson at 3:58 PM on January 18, 2008 (89 comments)