Blogging History: Snowden's Russian asylum statement; Swearing helps with pain

One year ago today

Edward Snowden's statement on seeking asylum in Russia, as published by Wikileaks: Hello, My name is Ed Snowden. A little over one month ago, I had family, a home in paradise, and I lived in great comfort. I also had the capability without any warrant to search for, seize, and read your communications. Anyone's communications at any time. That is the power to change people's fates.

Five years ago today

Swearing mitigates pain: Some experimental evidence to suggest that swearing makes pain less traumatic, though the mechanism by which is does this shit is unclear.