Morning Coffee

1. Some nice rumors from Comic-Con are finding their way out. Zack Snyder said he wants to adapt The Dark Knight Returns, to which Frank Miller said, "Sure." I bet that got some studios excited. If The Watchmen does well, maybe that will happen. The Miller properties have made really good transitions to film. 300 did great, as did Sin City. And of course, everyone knows that the current Batman success is because it's a Frank Miller inspired Nolan invention.

2. Joss Whedon said he's doing a sequel to Dr. Horrible.

3. Randy Pausch has succumbed to pancreatic cancer. He lived 5 months loner than expected. Rest in peace, Randy.

4. Another possible treatment group for those studying the effect of transfats on health outcome - California joins New York City and bans the ingredient.

5. Alan Blinder explains cash for clunkers - an environmental proposal that will effectively reduce vehicle emissions by buying old cars from consumers. Old cars are one of the largest sources of vehicle emissions, and people tend to keep them longer before because of stricter standards on new automobiles (old cars effectively a substitute for newer cars, raising prices on new cars increases the demand for old cars, resulting in people less likely to get rid of them). I've always loved this idea. I taught environmental economics one summer, and when I covered this idea (in Tietenberg's book), I loved it.