From Mother Jones, what happens when profit margins drive clinical research? Two-thirds of clinical trials are now privately run — a primer on the contract research organizations (CROs) that run them. A review of The Thief of Time: Philosophical Essays on Procrastination. Did somebody say "fringe"? With the help of his dad and a legion of devoted Tea Partiers, chances are good Ron Paul will soon be the most radical member of the U.S. Senate. School for Hackers: The do-it-yourself movement revives learning by doing. The C.L.R. James Library in London is being renamed; Scott McLemee wants to halt the vandalism. Financial regulation goes international: Basel III is a tough new international regime; it is a rare sign of optimism in the battle with the banks. From Inside Catholic, this is where Steve Skojec begins to wax theological about coffee; and what is it about us that makes us willing to stand in line for an eternity at a coffee shop just to get a cup? Here are two stories about Obama’s Wars by Bob Woodward (and more). The Bravery Trap: What does the Medal of Honor tell us about the nature of bravery? Waaaaah Street: Max Abelson on executives, emotion, and outbursts of Obama rage. The Guardian's Jonathan Franklin documents a day in the subterranean life of the 33 miners trapped 700 metres below the Chilean desert. An eXiled eXclusive: An advance copy of Martin Amis's eulogy for (the nearly-departed) Christopher Hitchens.
