This development could bring a whole new meaning to iLife. Scientists are using ordinary ink jet printers human tissue. By filling the cartridges with cells and proteins, these scientists are constructing living tissues that could one day replace damaged cells.

What of the consumer possibilities? Yeah, yeah, save some rich old CEO's life because he can afford the health care. Screw that. What could I do with one of these printers? One thing I thought of: tattoos. If I could print a sheet of skin with a tattoo that I could stick onto my body that could then fuse with the skin I already have, I'd have a tattoo without all the pain of getting a tattoo. Because I really am a pussy when it comes to such things.

However, like most science news stories, nothing will come of it. And considering the reports that one-fourth of university medial research exhibits a conflict of interest, I'm going to take all things with a grain of salt unless my doctor needs to save my life.

It's no surprise, though. After all, what isn't a conflict of interest these days? For example, mainstream news is owned by huge media conglomerates. How can CBS News (owned by Viacom) be unbiased reporting about, say, campaign finance reform when they are Sen. John McCain's "fourth biggest 'career patron'" and have used said influence to even have their stake in CBS in the first place? Even ABC News had to kill a story about Disney World hiring practices because they were told to by their owner -- Disney.

As much as I would like to avoid monopolies and corporate dictatorship, it's impossible. I can't stop using Microsoft software, lest I lose my job. I can't stop watching the news because it's my responsibility as a human being to do so (thank God for the Internet). And I still love movies, music, and television.

As long as Bush is losing points, I haven't completely lost faith in people. I simply wish that corporations (medical, media, whatever) would realize that they can make as much money doing thing beneficial for society than if they were bowing to the least common denominator. Put your money behind excellent music and films -- imagine if you put your marketing weight behind Adaptation instead of Kangaroo Jack. The unwashed masses are looking to corporations to tell them what to do. The corporations look to the unwashed masses to tell them what they want. Corporations could take the lead and empower people for good and still make a profit.

Yet again, my idealism gets the best of me. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get a Coke.