News and Links, Some Big, Some Small

• The Yellowstone Caldera is one of the most geologically interesting places on Earth, and the last few weeks it's been a bit more interesting. Of course, another super-eruption would be a disaster, but don't panic, scientists aren't expecting anything nearly that dramatic. Unfortunately, you don't have to look very far for actual disasters covering areas in toxic ash.
• They're evidently making this animated short into a feature film. Sackcloth men fighting clockwork monsters in a post-apocalyptic world. Sounds good to me.
• I was listening to Christopher Gunness of UNRWA and Meagan Buren of the Israel Project debate the situation in Gaza (which continues to deteriorate) on today's episode of Democracy now, and found it very depressing (especially hearing Buren all but advocate genocide). Buren also mirrored neoconservative journalist Michael Totten in asking just what a proportionate response would be. He's right that it's not a tit-for-tat of casualties, but rather distinguishing civilians from targets and balancing civilian casualties against military objectives. I don't think Israel is doing the latter, though. Hundreds dead, thousands injured and terrorized for at best a temporary peace. Totten is quick to suggest that by the doctrine of proportionality any force short of accomplishing objectives is justified, the guy must be a big fan of failed wars.
• From the UN: US only one to vote against a resolution declaring that people have a right to food, US only Western nation to vote against a resolution calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality, US vetoes security council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. I'm sensing an embarrassing theme.
• A few links of note that stand on their own:
  • A photo-essay about a city of ship-breakers.
  • A video on the most innovative game of the year.
  • A video on one of the more interesting immigrants living in Japan.