Linkee-poo, first of May, outdoor (hugging) starts today

"In 1886, unions around the country went on strike in support of an eight-hour workday." So, if you like going home, seeing your spouse, kids, parents, maybe a little TV or video game and a decent meal, thank a union member. Also, it's a good reminder that these things we take for granted (8 hour work day, weekends off, maybe vacation, maybe retirement) weren't a part of the original deal in capitalism and still aren't apart of its formulation (although capitalism benefits greatly from them). You can see how hard people are working to wipe away those gains. Don't let them.

Library barcode placement fails. Hahahaha. Not sure those are all "unintended". But, here I will make the comment that designers in the industry (books, audiobooks, etc) really need to be aware of how these things work. I can't tell you how many audiobook titles suck when it comes to this. (Grokked from Eric)

I'm not sure how a retweet/subtweet works on a blog, but here's one for Steve Popernack. SQUIRREL!

NASA, crashing shit into other planets and moons since 1962. The Messenger mission ends with dive-bombing Mercury (because SCIENCE - actually it will help the next probe). (Grokked from George Takei)

Happy May (International Workers's) Day. Twelve charts describing the overworked America. (Grokked from Morgan J Locke)

Tesla Energy/Motors announces the Powerwall. 10 kW of backup energy for $3,500. Lots of news I've heard all poo-poo this. Fuck them. The game has just changed in a very important way, but most people won't get it for another decade or two. (grokked from nearly everyone)

It was never a dress. How viral marketing is actually done. Also, nicely played. (Grokked from Dan)

"People are having (total hip-replacement) surgery done younger and younger… 'But in your 40s and 50s, you’re still considered a contributor to the workforce, and that kind of pain is something people are not ready to live with or don’t want to live with,' (Randeep Kahlon, an orthopedic surgeon and an Arthritis Foundation board member) says." But the money shot here? "A flat fee includes everything, from the implant device to post-op care. It’s all negotiated up front, so there are no surprises. Wal-Mart and Lowe’s brokered deals like this with four hospitals across the U.S. Employees of those companies who choose one of these centers don’t pay anything out of pocket, even travel costs." No, no, no, hell no. This article is not about, "Isn't it so wonderful", it's about "companies are tired of your whinging are so negotiated a deal to get your hip replaced early." No, no, no, hell no. Look, there's a reason why doctors will tell you to wait until the pain is unbearable (or you're hips start locking up). A total-joint replacement is a major surgery. And they don't last forever (a good average is 10 years for hips). And because of the damage done to your femur by the implantation, you get two per hip. If you're lucky, three. This is why they wait as long as possible. Because if you're 45, the second one will have a life until about 65 and then it's done. And you can't get more. Well, at 65 your company doesn't care anymore (because you're going to be retired soon). Now, there is a type of hip replacement you could try, it's called a Birmingham. It' a resurfacing, not a replacement. If you're young, you want to talk to your doctor about doing this first, before a total hip. It may give you a couple more years.

And related (I seem to be doing a lot of themes lately), how one hospital system is using incentives under Obamacare to reduce costs, increase patient outcomes, and lower Medicare expenditures for hip and joint replacements. Also with some insider baseball about hospitals.

More in the "so you think we're so evolved" vein, the Shit People Say to Women Directors tumblr. (Grokked from Kelly Swails)