Friday evening roundup

I'm not going to direct you to devastating images from Japan, but, as you imagine, it could have been a lot worse. Here's the case for preparedness and strict building codes.

There's been a breakthrough in solar power, and it's expanding nationwide, but it'll be a while before it becomes more affordable.

A New Yorker economist disses bike lanes, thus inviting mockery from other journalists. As you may have heard, the otherwise admirable Rep. Weiner also slammed bike NYC's bike lanes.

While we're admiring our elective representatives...