What in the World: Juggalos, Hobby Lobby, Anthrax, the Polar Vortex, and the Singularity | The Source Weekly - Bend

What in the World: Juggalos, Hobby Lobby, Anthrax, the Polar Vortex, and the Singularity



JUGGA-NO:
The Insane Clown Posse—a hip-hop group known for its evil clown face make-up and dedicated fan base called "Juggalos"—has lost a lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Investigation, challenging its classification of the Juggalos as a "loosely organized hybrid gang." The group was supported in the lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union, which claims the classification encourages discrimination against innocent members. (The Wire)

RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE: In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling, so-called "religious exemptions" are gaining speed. The U.S. Department of Education has granted a religious exemption to George Fox University, a Christian College in Newberg, Ore., permitting it to deny on-campus housing, participation in athletics and a host of other rights granted by Title IX, to a transgender student identified as Jayce M. The student's attorney plans to appeal the decision. (PQ Monthly)

POSTAL PATHOGENS: The Centers for Disease Control has decided to stop shipping germs in the mail between labs, following recurring safety issues. Now you can stop wearing gloves when you check the mail. (Oregon Live)

POLAR VORTEX-ISH: While the popular winter weather catch-phrase may not be entirely accurate, temperatures across the midwest are expected to be up to 30 degrees cooler than normal (while the Northwest is likely to hit triple digits), with overnight lows potentially dipping into the 40s. In other words, it may be time for an ice age disaster film. (USA Today)

SINGULARITY: Speaking of potential end times scenarios—the Singularity is upon us. IBM is investing $3 billion is synthetic brain technology in an attempt to ensure it future survival, and our future demise. Dun dun dun... (Fast Company)