Awesome video.

@Hyperkine - Yes. Instead of dried up, crusty debris in the microwave, it's wet and hot and much easier to clean off.

You don't need to 'microwave boiling water', just put a mostly full bowl or large pyrex mixing bowl in there and bring it to boil, 5 - 10 min max.

There are some things you can't un-watch...

"any hope for redemption has been lost".

Man that hit the nail on the head. I would've at least bumped the grade to a D for that clause alone.

Anyone else have a hankering for double chocolate frozen yogurt?

That page, and just about every page it links to, kills a little bit of your soul. Seriously.

Big surprise. It has DRM so there's a lengthy screed published on BoingBoing describing how this product sucks, including *potential* ways this product *might* suck (i.e. Sprint's network).

Maybe a more balanced review/analysis would be more interesting. After watching Bezos on Charlie Rose last night, this seems like a pretty cool, if not imperfect, product...certainly cooler than what I read in the blogosphere would have you believe. Having your newspapers and magazines pushed to your reader, impulse buying that book you overheard people discussing a seat over on the train, etc. are pretty nifty features. Yes, DRM sucks. Yes it's not the uber-opensourceohmygash reader that people like us would love. But it's a big step in the right direction (combining a built in delivery mechanism and well stocked store, ultra low battery life, and an interface my grandparents can understand, push periodical subscriptions, etc), and a pretty cool concept as well.

Not trying to troll or start flame wars or blahblahblah. I'm just saying a little more perspective than "DRM blows and here's why" (again) couldn't hurt your case and make for a better read.

there should be a word for this: thinking you're getting away with something on the sly while the world laughs at you, anticipating your inevitable demise.

schadendouche?

Great linkage, Jules. I'm a fan of Harold McGee since hearing about his book On Food and Cooking on NPR.

Great post, moderator.

Quick question, though. What's with the missing vowels in some posts? Is that a mod tool or a bug?

@Angry

You (like most Scientologists I've met) fail to realize the distinction between Psychology and Psychiarty. Not that I take that ignorance personally. "Psych" may be an acceptable abbreviation for both fields in your cirlces, but there are significant differences in the real world.

Regardless, there are myraid empirical studies validating the efficacy of meds in the treatment of certain disorders, including the ones I mentioned. If you can present peer reviewed empirical studies showing better outcomes for those disorders using your preferred treatment regimen, link away. This is all moot, since (as I pointed out) this facility did not administer any meds at all to those sick kids.

And to answer your question, I'm on the side of empirical science. Which is of course neither the side of the facility in question or the "religion" you belong to.

For anyone who has a question about the CCHR, simply check its wikipedia entry to learn about its history.

@angryaboutpsychs

Nice try. Too bad these aren't psychiatrists, but an apparent radical wing of Skinnerian Behaviorists, and the article clearly states that medication is witheld from these children.

Recruit away, though. Facts be damned!

Wow. I'm awestruck. I've actually got a few coincidental, tangental ties to this story. I have a master's degree in psychology. I was a student of a dissenting psychologist quoted (Dr. Iwata @ University of Florida). I had friends who were raised for part of their childhood at Walden II.

Comparisons to A Clockwork Orange are pretty spot on. This is a case of the obvious misuse of principles of Behaviorism to treat conditions that Behavior Modification has no impact on, like autism, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or even ADHD. Just like in A Clockwork Orange, Aversive Conditioning at this facility is used inappropriately to change behaviors, with zero regard to root causes. Any aversive conditioning should be a treatment of last resort (as was the case with the very few people exhibiting self injurious behavior), but should by no means be used routinely or as a first resort.

Note also that autistic kids are EXTREMELY sensitive to environmental stimuli. The loud colors, flashing lights, and "white noise helmets" are, without hyperbole, torture devices for autistic kids.

This all sounds like a modern day echo of A Clockwork Orange, exaggerated to an absurd degree. This facility has no business causing harm to these kids, while witholding bona fide (read: empirically supported) treatment from these sick kids. Kids with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD need meds, not aversive stimuli.

Cases like this make me ashamed to be a psychologist. I'm disappointed that I haven't heard about this facility until today.