The latest study of the possible link between cell phone use and brain cancer found no definable evidence of that link.  However, there have been many calls by highly regarded physicians, researchers and government officials warning of possible effects over time.  The main concern is that cell phone use among the young, especially teenagers, did not really take hold as a social phenomenon until the late 1990’s. They postulate that exposure from long phone calls, the types most likely to be made by teens and young adults, over a 10-20 year period will have a deleterious effect on health.  Long term exposure to even low levels of radiation, we know, is not a good thing. So there is reason for concern.  That being said, legitimate epidemiological  studies in the United States, and now in Scandinavia have consistently failed to find a causative link between cell phone use and brain tumor development.  Additionally, this latest study confirmed, as earlier ones have, that no statistically significant increase in the incidence of the most common types of brain tumors has occurred over the past 20 years or so.

Still, we know for sure that the most observable risk of cell phone usage is while driving. The link between cell phone usage and driver distraction is clear and as a cause of accidents cannot be refuted.  It still amazes me to see how many persons, of both sexes and all ages, drive with one hand while holding a cell phone to their ear with the other.  More and more states and municipalities are outlawing cell phone use in school zones all together, as well as enacting hands free statutes. Hands free devices are cheap and ubiquitous so it is unclear why drivers are unwilling to use them.  It would seem that much as with mandatory seat belt laws which came about in the 1960’s and 1970’s there is resistance to telling folks how to use their cell phones.  Nevertheless, the most immediate and definable risk from cell phone use is while driving. So please – get a head set, ear phone, hands free device of some type, they are not expensive – and USE IT.  A car accident will kill you long before the brain tumor will . . . ben kazie md

Analysis of data on 60,000 people diagnosed with glioma and meningioma in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden revealed that the incidence of brain tumors…were stable, decreased, or gradually increased, starting before cell phones became popular. They also found no change in incidence of brain tumors…during a period of rapid increase in cell phone usage.  The new study, published in the Dec. 3 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found no cell phone-related increase during this study period. Researchers from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden say they found that the incidence of brain tumors in the studied population of people from the four countries remained stable, decreased, or showed only a gradual increase that started before the introduction of the wireless devices between 1974 and 2003.  Mobile phone use in those Nordic countries rose dramatically in the mid-1990s, the study says.  Lead author Isabelle Deltour, PhD, of the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology of the Danish Cancer Society, and colleagues say they found no change in incidence trends of brain tumors in data going back to 1998.  They mentioned several possible reasons for their finding:

• The induction period relating cell phone use to brain tumors exceeds five to 10 years;
• The increased risk is too small to be observed;
• The increased risk is restricted to subgroups of brain tumors or cell phone users;
• There is no increased risk of brain cancer by using cell phones.

Four-country study finds no cancer link to cellphone usage – http://www.usatoday.com/tech/wireless/phones/2009-12-03-cell-phones_N.htm

Cell Phones and Brain Tumors: No Connection? – Study Finds ‘No Observable Effect’ of Cell Phone Usage on Brain Tumor Incidence – http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/news/20091203/cell-phones-and-brain-tumors-no-connection

No increase in brain cancer as cellphone use rose – http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/12/cell-phones-brain-cancer.html

Brain Cancer Study Casts Doubt on Cell Phone Danger – http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/BrainCancer/17308

No Increase in Brain Tumors Seen From Cell Phones – http://healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=633702

Study finds no brain tumor link with mobile phones – http://www.nationalpost.com/life/health/story.html?id=6559bda9-5535-4a40-a119-689fc868767c

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Noir et Blanc, is a Swedish brand by designer Petra Thoms and Linnea Carlgren, and like the name of the brand suggests, the designers often make use of the colours black and white to create striking prints for their pieces.

via: Noir et Blanc

Sweedish DJ Boj Lucki of the MIR Crew dropped his latest mix last month featuring a blend of jungle and dubstep.  The kid has great taste when it comes to jumpup and amen oriented drum-n-bass, but his exclusive dubstep dubplates are ridiculous.  This cat is definitely someone to watch in the future.  If you aren’t into classic dub reggae and ragga tunes, this mix probably isn’t for you.  If you are … then it’s a fucking killer.

Tracklist below the cut.

DOWNLOAD:  Boj Lucki – Dub Fi Dub 5 [Mixtape]

Tracklist:
01. Demolition Man & Serial Killaz – Fire / Boj Lucki Special (Dub)
02. >> Origin Unknown – Valley Of The Shadow (Ram)
03. >>Fresh – Heavyweight (DSB)
04. Top Cat – Ruffest Gunnark / Chase & Status Remix (Dub)
05. Crystal Clear & Cabbie ft. Stapelton – Izalot (Ganja Dub)
06. Serial Killaz ft. Buju Banton – Walk Like a Champion (Dub)
07. Pinchers – Enemies / Marcus Visionary Rmx (Liondub Dub)
08. Mir Crew – Champion Sound Remix (Nessasary Mayhem Dub)
09. Bassface Sasha & Franksen – Champion Sound Remix (Necessary Mayhem Dub)
10. Fresh – Fantazia (DSB)
11. Instra:mental – Photograph (Darkestral)
12. Breakage –Clarendon VIP (DSB Dub)
13. Breakage – Run Them Out feat. Roots Manuva (DSB)
14. Digital & Outrage – Veta (Function)

15. Mir Crew – 40k (Dub)
16. L-Wiz – Mexter Dorgan (AOD Dub)
17. Benny Page & Zero G – Twisted (Dub)
18. Youthman – Takling 2 (Dub)
19. Tes La Rok – Higher State (Dub)
20. L-Wiz ft. Goliath – Fight No More (AOD)
21. Kion & Murda ft. Junior Bynes – Fade away (Little Island Dub)
22. Bob Marley – Is This Love / Logik Dubstep Remix (Dub)
23. Breakage ft. David Rodigan – Together (DSB)
24. Flore – We Rewind feat. Rodney P / Youthman Wardub Remix (Dub)
25. >> Mo Fire Crew – Oi (Go Beat!)
26. Air Frog – Bon Voyage (Svek)
27. Sbtrkt – Timeless (White)
28. Marcus Visionary – Go Home Soundboy (Dub)
29. Double 99 feat. Top Cat – Rip Groove (Satellite)
30. Randomer – Scapegoat (Med:School)
31. Mir Crew – Witch Doctor (Dub)
32. >> Skream – Filth (Tempa)
33. Seven –Sirens VIP (Dub)
34. Zero G – British (Dub)
35. Benny Page & Zero G – Take You Back (Dub)
36. Mir Crew – Sample Divider (Bass Punch Dub)
37. Dj Madd – Different Thingz (War)

38. Kenny Ken – Everyman / Benny Page 2009 VIP (Mix n Blend Dub)
39. >>Dj Fresh – All That Jazz (V Rec)
40. Future Prophecies feat. Soultrain – Dread Lock VIP (Dub)
41. Top Cat & Mir Crew – Badder Than Dem (Nine Lives Dub)
42. Dj Hazard – Wicked So (Playaz)
43. Taxman – Terminator (Playaz Dub)
44. Mir Crew vs Dj Vadim – Terrorist (Dub)
45. General Levy – Incredible vs C&S / Boj Lucki VIP (Dub)
46. Jahdan – Ghetto (Ganja Dub)
47. Serum – Uptown Saturday Night (Dub)
48. The Nextmen/Groove Armada feat. Ms. Dynamite – Lions Den / Sigma Remix (Sanctuary)
49. Chase n Status feat. Capelton – Duppyman / Boj Lucki VIP (Dub)
50. Potential Badboy – Sound A Sound (Ganja Dub)
51. Goldstar vs Mr Vegas – Blaze Me Fire (Dub)
52. Mir Crew vs Kultiration – Decorate The Dance (Dutty Rock Dub)
53. Joey Fever – Lover Around Her / Rahmanee Remix (MIR Dub)
54. Mir Crew – Special Request (Dub)
55. Joey Fever – Nuh Follow Dem / Mir Crew Remix (Dub)

It’s called the “Fun Theory,” and it’s what the people from TheFunTheory.com believe. Simply put, “the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better is by making it fun to do.” It really makes a lot of sense, when you think about it, and especially when you see this video.

Apparently, sponsored by VW, they connected sensors to the stairs at a subway station in Stockholm, Sweden, hooked up a camera, and watched as a lot more people took the stairs.

Not to mention that, they seem to have made doing good things more fun by connecting speakers to a recycle bin, and are making an “empty bottle arcade” (whatever that is) to increase recycling of empty bottles.

I don’t know what the idiots in Oslo were thinking when they chose Barrack Obama for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

I don’t find any good reason, any big achievement by Obama or any peace process he started which can make him eligible for the honor.
This sure is a bad choice and not the first one in the list of bad choices.

Just got back from a house warming party in Kitsilano for Colin and Melissa’s new pad. Although it technically isn’t a house, rather an appartment but we won’t sweat the small stuff. It was a solid group of 20 or more so people with lots of wine, beer, 7 layer bean dip, cheeses, puff pastries, eclairs, and other things that tasted good together. The patio was open so people were free to chat inside or out, I got chatting with a rad dude and we ended up talking about this old 411 skate video with Rodney Mullen and some other pros when they were young so that was a good time. I have been wanting to skate the plaza downtown for a while now but haven’t gotten around to it so we might hit that up. I also happened to run into a girl from Sweden at the party thats in my class at school. What are the odds. A guy I hadn’t seen in a while was at the party and he had been talking to me about getting a quarter sleeve and he finally got it, its of the children’s book Where the Wild Things Go and its really dope. Good Eats, Good People, Good Night.

Israel is withholding the press credentials of a Swedish newspaper over an op-ed piece written that alleges that the IDF is killing Palestinians and harvesting their organs for cash.  Without the credentials, the reporters cannot get into Gaza.

The author of the piece admits he has no proof and the government there refuses to condemn the story citing the free press of Sweden.  Do they have slander and libel laws there?

The article, “Our sons are being stripped of their organs,” appeared Tuesday in Aftonbladet and was an opinion piece written by freelance journalist Donald Bostrom.

Bostrom told CNN he had no proof that Israeli soldiers were stealing organs, and that the purpose of his piece was to call for an investigation into numerous claims in the 1990s that such activity was going on in the West Bank and Gaza.

Perhaps someone should begin to write blog stories about the rampant pedophilia associated with the Swedish government.  There is ZERO proof but perhaps someone just FEELS that their strange accents sound weird enough that we should all keep our kids away from them.

Perhaps someone could start a rumor about the weak nature of the people of Sweden is genetic and how they’d rather protect Nazi monsters than to show an ounce of courage.  Perhaps it could be said  (with NO PROOF) that they collaborated with Germany in the deaths of millions and should be sued in court for financial restitution.

Perhaps someone could start one of those misguided boycotts of all things Swedish.  In fact, perhaps someone will make unfounded accusations against their nation as being in league with Al-Qaeda – again NO PROOF, just an opinion.

As long as CNN is told that the purpose of the above written nonsense is to call for an investigation into the allegations, all is well that ends well, eh?

**Post correction**

My sleep-deprived post previously listed the Swiss in some paragraphs instead of the Swedes.  The error has been corrected and all apologies to the Swiss for any reference to their government or people for any offense.

Thanks to the commenting readers for catching the Yank’s mistake.

I just ran across the interior design blog Designfragment and love so much of the stuff shown there. The writer is a student in Gothenburg and as a result much of the decor discussed is great Swedish and Scandinavian design. Just be sure to click on the post links… it won’t be in English until you do.

The writer describes the blog as “the site where I report the news of the design world, our apartment renovation and interiors that will hopefully amuse, tickle your fancy and inspire you” and it certainly lives up to the claim. They have a real eye for what is hip and original and it certainly comes out here. Take a look!

Thanks go to Apartment Therapy

The clothing brand Elvine, along with design agency Next Century Modern and the hotel Scandic Malmen, has just opened up their “Creators Inn” in Stockholm. The hotel-within-a-hotel officially opened on the 1st, offering accommodations for the non-traditional traveler completely free of charge. Specifically, for people doing “some sort of creative activity, preferably together with local creators or something that incorporates the city in some way.”

While I don’t imagine I’ll be booking a stay any time soon, the hotel looks incredible and it employs some truly creative ideas for decoration and design. I particularly like the collaborative quality of the room. The group contribution map and the records on loan from various locals make the place seem very friendly and welcoming. Plus the “grow your own air” idea is just plain cool.


Check out the rest of the pictures on the Creators Inn site and, if you happen to be a “creator”, apply for a free stay here.

Some Links:
Creator’s Inn Main Page
Eveline Homepage
How to Grow Your Own Air (a fascinating article, and the system used in the Inn)

Doing Things Differently Leads to Something Exceptional. “A group of artists comes together in locations around the world to create art pieces that spell out the philosophy of Absolut Vodka.” My favorite is the forest full of bottles. The most amazing part of this commercial is that it’s all real – no CGI here – just amazing talent. You can check out the behind the scenes videos over on Kitsune Noir.

Peep this crazy new video from Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John, It Don’t Move Me off of their newest album Living Thing which dropped earlier this year.  The video features some fresh Michael Jackson inspired dance moves, enjoy.Download/Stream–>http://www.zshare.net/audio/63246535db732a62/

I’m not sure why it took me so long to acquaint myself with Tallest Man on Earth, but I’m sure glad I finally got around to it. I first came across the Swedish folk singers moniker when it was announced that he would open for John Vanderslice on his recent tour in support of 2oo9’s Romanian Names. I immediately told myself that I needed to get my hands on TMOE’s LP release, Shallow Graves, for one simple reason: John Vanderslice openers have a history of being really, really good (see: St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, Okkervil River, Bishop Allen).

So, months later, I’ve made my way through Shallow Graves a few times and I have to tell you, you’re going to love this guy. Kristian Matsson may be Sweedish, but his grainy twang and banjo will make you swear he’s from the fields of Kentucky. This is folk music as you imagine it to be, with a warm acoustic and thoughtfully spit lyrics weaving stories from your stereo. With an acclaimed album under his belt and a tour down with both Bon Iver and Vanderslice, I can almost promise that we will be seeing a lot more of Tallest Man on Earth as the months unfold.

[download] The Tallest Man on Earth – Pistol Dreams

i MISS YOU GUYS!

MY LITTLE BROTHER CAUGHT ME!!!

THIS IS FUNNY

MISS YOU SWEEDS!!

-Drewlife

Check out this MJ tribute…Pretty Danq

Now what is Kathy listening to nonstop? I know you’re just dying to know.

First of all, I betray my country. I have been LOVING some European music lately. (Skip to the bottom to see what I think are the best albums I have heard in the past few weeks… surprisingly, they are both American. WTF?).

Exhibit A: the Germans/Austrians (they speak the same language so I’m lumping them in together. Call me ignorant, I don’t care).

• Falco - of Rock Me Amadeus and Der Kommissar fame. These songs are amazing and I could listen to them on repeat pretty much forever.
• A plethora of classical composers (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner, etc.)
• Peter Schilling - I already wrote about the song Major Tom in a prior post. Germans just create great electro-pop.
• The Neverending Story – I have been listening to this soundtrack on repeat for the past week or so. The musical score from this film, and the film itself, is phenomenal. Thank you Germany for giving us this gem (yes, I realize that Limahl, the singer of the title track from the album, is actually British).

Die unendliche Geschichte

Exhibit B: the French

• Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is just a great pop/rock album. I like it as well or better than anything Phoenix has ever put out (except maybe the song Too Young) It’s as simple as that. I’ve been listening to this album a lot for the past few weeks.

Exhibit C: Scandinavia

The amazing Finnish music Pinja sent me a while back has really gotten to me. I am in love with Cats on Fire – Our Temperance Movement (which is in English), and with Regina – Puutarhatrilogia (in Finnish, which means I can tune out and just enjoy the musicianship without worrying about memorizing lyrics).

Also, I have recently revisited (and newly discovered) a few of the following Scandinavian songs and artists that I simply love:

• The Cardigans - everything (but my favorites are Fine and Carnival)
• Kings of Convenience - everything (but my favorites are I’d Rather Dance With You and Toxic Girl)
• Peter Bjorn and John – Young Folks, but on the newest album I am especially fond of the song It Don’t Move Me
• Lykke Li – I’m Good I’m Gone
• Loney, Dear – everything

Exhibit D: The UK

Do I even need to make a list? OK, just offhand… George Michael, Pulp, Muse, U2, Coldplay, Blur, the Streets, Robbie Williams, Lily Allen. I could keep going…

Now, moving on from the Euro-loving… I am LOVING some African and African-American music lately. Man, black people can SING, and I LOVE it! After seeing the Lion King musical at the Civic Center a few months back (and admittedly going in with very low expectations due to not much caring for the music in the Disney movie), I was blown away by the emotion and intensity of African music. Wow. I have been listening to the soundtrack a lot lately (the soundtrack to the broadway musical, not the lame Disney movie. The musical is VASTLY superior. The Disney movie is a steaming hunk of crap by comparison).

Stevie Wonder - I’m lovin’ it. Sir Duke has been my favorite Stevie song for quite a few years now (generic, I know), but today I discovered Higher Ground. Yes, I was previously aware that the RHCP did not originally write that song, but only today did I really listen to the lyrics (in the Stevie Wonder version). I listened to it 4 or 5 times in a row. I was blown away. I was truly inspired. It really hit me today why Stevie Wonder is considered a musical genius and an inspiration to millions. I want to personally cover that song. Everyone can look forward to terrible youtube videos of me attempting to play guitar and sing higher ground. It won’t be pretty (I am not a very good guitar player/singer… I’m not terrible, I’m just not very good either).

Michael Jackson – RIP. I love you, MJ. I may eventually write a post on MJ if I have the time (could be a few months). I do have a lot to say on the man.

RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009

As a side note, I am trying to incorporate more black/African/African-American music into my regular listening rotation… but I’m VERY picky about what I will listen to. I have to really like like it within the first 1 or 2 times I hear it. I am accepting suggestions. (For reference: I kind of like Rihanna… is that bad?).

Now, on to the BEST albums I have heard in the past few weeks… SURPRISE! They’re both American! (Well, kind of… Regina Spektor is Russian/American).

Regina Spektor: Far – In a word, wow. Way to break my heart, Regina Spektor. Your albums up until now have been mostly whimsical and not too philosophical (in that they are about imaginary situations), but this album kicked my a$$. There I was, happily driving along in my car on my way to a social event complete with full makeup, and the song Laughing With came on and completely destroyed me. Tears were streaming down my face. This is the most mature of Spektor’s albums yet, with the best musicianship yet, in my opinion. You can even hear a strong Keane influence (and I LOVE Keane. Keane’s Hopes and Fears would probably make it in to my top 10 best albums of all time list). Needless to say, I have been playing this album a LOT lately.

Moby: Wait for Me - I’ve given this album two listens now and I think it might actually be *better than* 1999’s Play (GASP!). After only a few listens, I think that this album is better than anything Moby has put out in a LONG time. NPR’s All Songs Considered agrees. My only complaint is that there is no Bodyrock or Southside equivalent on this new album. There is nothing I can run to or work out to on it. It is all just chill music… Simply phenomenomenal chill music.

They be crazy over there in Sweeden.