Scientists have been debating for some time whether skeletons discovered on a small island in Indonesia constitute a new species of human, or just a variation of a known species, and some new evidence suggests that this really is a new human species.
In some ways it is very human. The big toe is aligned with [...]
And thus began Kid’s immersion into evolution, a couple months ago in the car on the way to swim class. And I knew I’d love teaching Kid about evolution–it’s possible that Husband thinks I am too excited about it–but what I didn’t see coming is how much Kid loves it, too. Why? First, because there [...]
Poor Drek, besotted with argumentative conspiracy theorists and burdened by his duties as one of only a handful of sociology royalty. He is surely on the path to madness as he struggles against Conservapedians. But, alas, a contest worthy of Drek’s passion and matched to his artistic skills. I give you, Drek, the Stick Figure [...]
February 7, 2009 – 8:55 am
After our lively discussion of what if about the proposal to cut science funding from the stimulus package, you may want to know what happened. The Republicans gave up substantial ground, but some cuts were secured. The NY Times story didn’t have the specifics I was looking for, but ScienceDebate2008 sent it in an email:
They [...]
November 17, 2008 – 10:52 am
A groan of dismay for Discovery News, a source that usually stays out of politics, and now I know why. Faced with placing a headline on a non-news item about Barack Obama’s pending decision to keep his Blackberry during his presidency, the editorial staff chooses this:
Obama Likely to Give Up ‘CrackBerry’ as President
I know that [...]
November 11, 2008 – 1:21 pm
A common concern raised lately about the incoming Obama administration is that the past eight years have vastly reduced the capacity of the US federal state to do anything. This is principally a function of the incredibly reckless economic behavior of the Bush administration, but it’s also because the rhetoric of “Homeland Security” and “War [...]
September 27, 2008 – 10:21 am
It is a mom’s dream. A new tiny dino has just been discovered. I present to you the Albertonykus borealis.*
It’s just the size of a chicken, and apparently it ate ants. So cute! Maybe next, they’ll discover a big-eyed, fuzzy dino. That would rock.
*Canadians always name their dinos patriotically.
September 2, 2008 – 7:47 pm
I’m not the biggest clicker of YouTube links, but I’m so glad I watched this one.
Favorite moment: when the artists get busted by a fellow scientist walking by.
Also, I’m heartened that today Kid asked if he could watch the thunder and lightning video again.
[h/t: Pharyngula]
I.
The same joke has been in the past two books I’ve read.
What’s the joke?
Something like “Two behaviorist psychologists have sex. And then afterwards, one says to the other, ‘It was good for you. How was it for me?’”
I read that in a book, too!
II.
A lot of Irish people immigrated to the U.S., and [...]
From a friend: ”There is a cluster of galaxies called the Perseus Cluster, which is 250 million miles away from Earth. Scientists found that all of the sound waves it is emitting form a single note…B flat. “
Apparently, this is the deepest note ever generated in the cosmos (?!).
In other geekly weekend highlights: Quantum Hoops is the history-of-science-and-underdog-sports-team-documentary [...]
At a dinner party tonight, I was asked by an Italian postdoc to explain the process by which either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will become the Democratic Party’s nominee in the general election in November. As I got to the part about the super-delegates, it was clear from the expectant smiles on my [...]
February 24, 2008 – 10:02 am
As someone who suffers from kidney stones, I’m always on the lookout for news about them and how I might better avoid another round of the excruciating pain that come with them. I recently noted several reports recounting a recent study in JAMA on how kidney stone pain is treated in emergency rooms by [...]
February 12, 2008 – 12:03 am
Happy Darwin Day to the 12.2%* of Americans who believe that “man”** came to be by evolving from earlier forms of life over millions of years. So, if this means you, you might want to send your Valentine’s Day card a couple days early this year.
*This number jumps up to almost 54% if you [...]
February 8, 2008 – 8:14 pm
I had a very interesting experience yesterday. Very interesting. Perhaps life-changing. You see a couple of weeks ago, I received a call from someone in the computer science department informing me they had a visitor coming to campus from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory who wanted to meet with me. “Ah,” [...]
February 2, 2008 – 5:58 pm
In having some drinks with Josh Whitford last night (and a group of Pakistanis and Indians), Josh brought up a nice point about “one of the fundamental insights of sociology:” sometimes things just don’t add up.
