may 18 roundup

• Rate Your Students (hat tip to regular reader Zac)
• One potential solution to the problem of invasive species? Microwave them to death! Via /.
• Something new from Gladwell: on Myhrvold's "invention factory"
• Rubik's cube too easy? Try megaminx, the 4-D version.
• Or have a look at a life-size photo of a blue whale. Via /.
• Understand quantum theory but not US politics? (or vice-versa?) This may help: "Transactioner: 'If I vote for Nader, it won't lead to Bush winning the election, because causality is an illusion' Questioner: 'But if you vote for Nader instead of Gore in a close election, aren't you aiding Bush?' Transactioner: 'Bah! You silly Democrats and your respect for chronology. I can just go back in time and change my vote to Gore if Bush wins!'"