Weird Fish, Green Babies, PowerShift Action and Robot Drivers

This week has seen its share of fishy business, and I'm not just referring to Chris Matthews and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, or bonus-grabbing, bailout-begging Wall Streeters. Instead, scientists have decided to classify as a new species a funky, psychedelic frogfish that bounces on the ocean floor like a rubber ball.

In other fish news, marine biologists believe they are closer to understanding the remarkable morphology of the deep-sea barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma), previously known only from dead specimens.

Scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute got a chance to observe a live barreleye fish after one was brought up in a net from the shadowy depths. This, combined with recent video taken by deep sea unmanned vehicles, has demonstrated that the fish can rotate its eyes within it's transparent head, allowing it to see above and around it (see video below). Cool!

Speaking of unmanned vehicles, the L train in the New York City subway system is now being piloted by computers, not grumpy MTA drivers. The city says robots are more efficient and safer (bonus: they are less likely to go on strike). Does this mean we are one step closer to The Singularity, or more importantly, flying cars?

Also, this weekend is PowerShift, a massive youth demonstration in Washington, D.C. on global warming. More than 10,000 young people are expected to arrive from all over the country, to lobby political leaders to enact bold climate and energy policies that will rebuild our economy and halt global warming. Now that sounds like a worthy bailout!

We are also happy to announce the launch of Ecorattle, a fun, friendly new blog on green parenting (and cute name!), from the good folks of Ecorazzi. Ecorazzi co-founder Michael d'Estries recently welcomed a baby boy into his home, so we know he had big motivation to find the best non-toxic nursery gear and parenting advice. (It reminds us that the multi-talented Jill Fehrenbacher -- founder of Inhabitat and the Greener Gadgets Conference -- launched Inhabitots after having adorable baby Petey).

Check out our new hub on tips to save electricity and save money, with content from numerous sites. Tomorrow I'll be checking out the Greener Gadgets Conference. It was great last year, so I'm looking forward to seeing what's new.