Breakdown 062106

• A new study, reported by the CBC, brings us a step closer to a more holistic view of disease, one which takes into account germ warfare and natural selection. The study compared the allergic tendencies of wild rats and lab rats, and posits that immune systems benefit from some exposure to germs. From the article: "According to the 'hygiene hypothesis,' exposure early in life to infections from household dust, germy siblings or surfaces may reduce the risk of developing disease in adulthood." Though me and my friends have been saying this for years, it flies in the face of our hyper-sanitized culture of lysol and antibacterial soap. But don't take it to the extreme; just a century and a half ago, no public health program to speak of led to worldwide epidemics of the very preventable cholera. Moderation here seems to be key.

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• The Pew Research Centre has released the results of a poll suggesting that "George Bush's six years in office have so damaged the image of the US that people worldwide see Washington as a bigger threat to world peace than Tehran." The sample sizes aren't overwhelming, hovering around one thousand for each country, but the comparisons with earlier years are a little frightening, though not altogether shocking.

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• Suicide Girls is getting lots of bad press lately, due to alleged unethical practices by the site's founder. A myspace page is now calling for a boycott of the punk-porn-pay website. Apparently the SG owner is a typical 'patriarchal man-pig' who -- surprise! -- exploited these riot grrrls and treated them with all the respect of a soggy fleshlight. Of course, former Girls have been hard at work invoking patriarchal imagery and faux-feminist rallying cries in response. The reason this is a big thing for the Girls seems to be because they were under the cute but mistaken impression that Suicide Girls was more than just another collection of freaky pictures for old men to whack off to, but rather an entirely new and liberating way to celebrate the female form -- body, mind and soul. Oh, to be young, naive and in bondage again...

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• Angelina Jolie gave her inaugural post-partum address tonight, to none other than the ever-dashing Anderson Cooper. I caught the last half, and was surprised to find that most of the show was dedicated to issues Jolie has been championing -- like the fights against third-world poverty, infant mortality, and brutal rape in Africa. The interview itself took about 15 minutes of time, interspersed with horrific images from around the world. I think it's incredible how Jolie has become so media-savvy as to be able to wield the power of the paparazzi for a good cause. As if saying "Fine, fuckers. You want to stalk me, I'll drag you kicking and screaming into responsible journalism." Hopefully for her next trick, she'll make Hugh Hefner save the manatees.

Breakdown 062106