Objects in Mirror: December 6, 2007 Archive

Get the latest science headlines from MPR

Posted at 6:27 AM on December 6, 2007 by Julia Schrenkler

Who can live on politics or the arts alone? MPR covers health, technology, environment and weather, tucking them in our science collection. Here are the latest headlines:

*Energy on the breeze
*Slowing down carbon emissions
*Environmental study will test for vapors in St. Louis Park

If you're an expert on these topics don a lab coat and join our Public Insight Journalism Network.

Watch and comment on videos from The Current

Posted at 10:59 AM on December 6, 2007 by Julia Schrenkler

The Current shares instudio and other special guest videos on our Minnesota Music discussion group, like this one from Cloud Cult:

It doesn't end there, you can register on the site to rate or comment on any of The Current's videos on Gather.com.

Who protects your social security number?

Posted at 8:51 PM on December 6, 2007 by Julia Schrenkler

How many times per month do you give out your social security number?

Jon Gordon reported a recent laptop theft highlights data security issues, but is it really a technical security issue or a citizen's issue? In News Cut, Bob Collins blogged about social insecurity:

You're not required to give your Social Security number to private businesses. But they're not required to provide you with any service if you don't.

So far, only California has taken steps to significantly reduce the use of a Social Security number as a national ID card.

Collins' blog entry made me wonder who should protect our personal data. The government? Us? Read and comment with your perspective.