Since 2011 is nearing its end, you are already sick of those top 10 lists about the best X Of The Year.  I'll keep it simple and stick to just one.  My favorite photo of 2011 was not taken by me and it wasn't anything elaborate, like Osama Bin Laden getting capped or a science miracle or two kids making out on the street during riots in Vancouver. No, my favorite photo was taken last May, just like the ones of Bin Laden finally getting his virgins (but finding out they are virgin men - namely other terrorists), but it was much quieter.

Think Christmas has gotten way too secular?  Turkey may be the place you want to move because they make sure kids stick with religion, though the 2.2% who are not Muslim will be tough to find so your Christmas dinner might be poorly attended.  Knowing how other countries treat science is important to help us appreciate how we do. Sure, people can whine in America if some kooky school district has right wing people wanting to give religion equal time in science classes but it's not exactly life threatening to tell kids dinosaurs ate coconuts - the anti-science left won't even give their kids vaccines and that's a much more dangerous problem.