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Headlines from November 30, 2012

China extends stop-and-board rights to most of the South China Sea—far from the mainland, the waters are already claimed by other nations.
Sandy evacuees housed in NYC hotels prepare to transfer to more permanent temporary arrangements.
The overall U.S. birth rate decreased by 8% between 2007-10, and by 6% among U.S.-born women.
Geologists spar over the age of the Grand Canyon, with estimates ranging between six and 65 million years.
We returned to project headquarters to find a small group of diminutive, bearded, barefoot men. Visiting a Congolese pygmy tribe. #longreads
In Brazil’s first rubber boom, tappers became near-slaves; in the next, they’ll be the bosses.
U.S. drought effects linger, as the size of the national herd reaches an all-time low.
As manufacturing becomes cheaper and more automated, the old rules are being cast aside, and the old guard readies for a GDP battle.
Staples to offer in-store 3D printing—upload your design, then stop in to pick up your object.
Danish entrepreneur starts a consultancy of autistic workers who are better at certain jobs than their non-autistic peers. #longreads
Sweden’s Toys “R” Us counterpart launches gender-neutral toy catalog.
On Nov. 29, 1972, a crude table-tennis arcade game in a garish orange cabinet was delivered to bars and pizza parlors around California.
Atari celebrates Pong’s 40th anniversary with an iPhone app and a modified Xbox 360.
Play Pong online.
MoMA acquires 14 video games, plans to expand to 40 more games in 2013. #art
Our latest TMN Weekender: Todd Levin recalls his growing up with video games. #tmn
UN votes to recognize Palestine as a “non-member observer state,” same as the Vatican.
John Kerry receives unqualified support for Secretary of State job, though from Republicans, not his own partymates.
Seal for the State Dept.‘s Policy Planning Staff includes slogan, “Avoid Trivia.”
Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born 177 years ago today.
Artist transforms Pie Town, NM—at least in archival photos—into an all-female enclave. #tmn
Rushdie gets thoroughly ripped for his new memoir’s smallness of viewpoint. via
White paper argues that human sacrifice—slaughter of innocents—is a technology for protecting property rights.
New bread lasts up to 60 days via advanced microwaving techniques.
Q&A with chair designer on ergonomics, the right chair for the right situation, and why comfort is a social construct.
Man turns keyboard into feeder so birds can use Twitter.
Story of the man who won $314 million in the lottery and ruined his life.
Comedian Tom Arnold’s sister, believed to be responsible for the Midwest’s meth epidemic, tells all to Playboy.
Richard Simmons still teaches aerobics three times a week in Los Angeles, and sounds like the nicest guy on Earth.
In case you’re having a bad day: Girlfriend sends boyfriend a note about holding hands.
Understand that being able to say “I don’t know what to do with my life” is an incredible privilege that 99% of the rest of the world will never enjoy.