This news…
…may render you speechless. But it won’t render your dog speechless. Au contraire.
Continue reading →Category Archives: Science
De-extinction: should we do it?
The NY Times Magazine has an article about the looming possibility of what’s called “de-extinction”—that is, bringing back extinct species such as the passenger pigeon, or something close to them. It seems to be within our grasp to bring to … Continue reading →
Fukushima cancer risk negligible
It turns out that the amount of radiation exposure from the Fukushima reactor accident and any resultant projected increase in cancer cases has been minimal. But people in the comments section at the article refuse to believe this, so strong … Continue reading →
The pseudoscience of Whole Foods
Whole Foods peddles a lot of stuff that makes upscale liberals feel good about themselves but has little evidence to back it up as especially healthful. But Whole Foods continues to rake it in. That’s because, IMHO, Whole Foods is … Continue reading →
Something new to worry about
In case you don’t have enough to worry about already, and are looking to supplement your angst-inducing list, there’s this. “Low-probability, high-impact” indeed. [Hat tip: Instapundit.]
Continue reading →I wonder if…
…the science about this was considered settled before the new evidence came to light. Speaking of science and geology (and we were, weren’t we?), recently I was reading a book called Europe Between the Oceans: 9000 B.C.—AD 1000, and was … Continue reading →
Leonard Cohen and “Going Home”: a brief elaboration
Last night I was listening to Leonard Cohen’s “Going Home.” In that song he’s his usual lugubrious, hypnotic, philosophical, mystical self. The lyric could only have been written by a writer who’s no longer young. You may think the song … Continue reading →
Thinking about swallowing a tapeworm in order to lose weight?
Well, don’t bother: you’ll probably gain weight instead. Another myth shattered. And boy, what some people won’t do for science.
Continue reading →Robert Frost on “the science is settled”
No, the poet Robert Frost didn’t write anything about the believers versus the deniers of anthropogenic global warming. After all, he died in 1963. When I started this blog (lo about nine long years ago!), I had some idea of … Continue reading →
Your dog…
…recognizes your face, not just your smell.
Continue reading →Can we even suggest that perhaps the kids are not all right*?
Some research has been published indicating that the offspring of same-sex couples may not be doing quite as well as other kids, and it has met with a firestorm of politically-correct disapproval. This should come as no surprise; politics is … Continue reading →
The fruit fly war
I think I’m winning. For now. It all started with an event so ordinary as to be unremarkable: a couple of fruit flies (or their larva) came in with some purchase or other. After I spotted them, I was very … Continue reading →