[BLOG] Some Friday links

[rfmcdonald]

• Centauri Dreams' Paul Gilster goes into more detail about the discovery of multiple planets orbiting the Sun-like star HD 10180.


• At Eastern approaches, A.L.B. celebrates the beginning of Budapest's Summer Jewish Festival, as a cultural event that reflects one of the most dynamic Jewish populations in Europe.


• A Fistful of Euros' Edward Hugh argues that the money that Spain spent on stimulating its own economy actually helped the German economy achieve its record growth through encouraging Spanish consumers to stock up on German goods.


• Language Hat records the complaints of a Tajik circa 1990 about how the Soviet-era shift of Tajik from Arabic script to Cyrillic was harmful and unnecessary.


• Reflecting on the recent death of an old friend to whom he was reconnected via Facebook, Lawyers, Guns and Money's Robert Farley thanks the site for making it possible for them to regain contact. (Ditto, similar situations.)


• Marginal Revolution's Tyler Cowen remarks on the very high rate of human ovum donations in Cyprus, particularly but not only among eastern European immigrants.


• At the Power and the Money, Noel Maurer is skeptical of the idea that legalizing marijuana in Mexico might break the power of the cartels, suggesting (among other things) it could encourage the cartels to diversify.


• Gideon Rachman takes a look at the various conspiracy theories held by a worrying number of Chinese about the West's desire to destroy China's boom.


• Spacing Toronto's Matthew Blackett finds one way in which Toronto and Pittsburgh are alike: shop steps frequently feature tile mosaics. Pictures are included.


• At Understanding Society, Daniel Little reports on recent studies suggesting that, notwithstanding India's strong economic growth, inequality in village communities is increasing markedly.