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New Mexico legislators consider video game tax for outdoor programs
The mainstream media and other non-consumers of video games have been portraying gamers as pasty, bleary-eyed shut-ins since the 8-bit days -- aside from some bruised feelings, that stereotype never really did us any harm. However, a recent proposal of the powerful environmental organization The Sierra Club to the New Mexico state legislature may put a dent in the pockets of consumers and retailers living in the Land of Enchantment.The proposal calls for a 1 percent sales tax on televisions and video games; the proceeds of which would go to "outdoor education programs". According to an article in the Huffington Post, these programs would counteract the negative effects of video games -- "lower academic scores, obesity, and increased attention-deficit disorder." Supporters of the "No Child Left Inside" movement tried to pass a similar bill last year, but were unsuccessful.Unsurprisingly, gaming advocacy groups have spoken out against the bill's obvious shortcomings, such as its assumption that video games are the sole contributor to childhood obesity, lower grades and ADD. We couldn't agree more. The only weight we've gained from being gaming enthusiasts is from our skin growing thicker due to constant attacks on our lifestyle.
Get your green groove on at the Sustainable Dance Club
So you think you're all cool with your biodiesel, your compost pile and your donations to the Sierra Club? Well leave it to the Dutch to take environmentalism to the next level -- the next level in fun, that is. The Sustainable Dance Club in Rotterdam is planning on becoming the first green dance club in the world, converting dancers' moves into electricity, powering the turntables and speakers scattered throughout the facility. As if that weren't enough crunchy granola hippie-thinking for you, there are also plans to have "rainwater toilets, biological beer, and walls which change colour according to the heat generated inside the club, without using any electricity." Now don't get us wrong, we're as big on recycling as the next guy/gal, but when we hear of a foreign concept like biobeer, well, lets just say that we're gonna make damn sure that the septic system and the keg tubing aren't cohabitating the same plumbing.[Thanks, Jocko]
