Eventually, the Beagle headed south to the area of Uruguay and Argentina, still on the Atlantic Coast, where extensive mapping of the coastal waters was required. Continue reading Darwin and the Voyage: 07 ~ South of the Tropics
Monthly Archives: February 2008
Make A Wish On Ice?
This had to happen eventually… Continue reading Make A Wish On Ice?
Brilliant chimp
OK, here’s a quiz for you. You have a tube that is fixed in space. You cannot move it. It is too small for you to get your hands into it, and there is a peanut in the bottom. You want the peanut. How do you extract the peanut?Have a look at how this chimp did it: Continue reading Brilliant chimp
Charles Darwin – Coral Reefs
As Europeans plied the seas in search (and ultimately management) of colonies and conquests, they learned the practical geology they needed to find their way and avoid wrecks. Everyone knows that Charles Darwin’s opportunity to spend several years on the Beagle ultimately rested on the British Admiralty’s need to improve navigation maps, especially along the South American coasts. The near shore conditions change, some of the existing maps were not adequate, and the size of ships was increasing so once-safe passages no longer necessarily were. The Beagle’s Captain Fitzroy had a reputation was for tenacious accuracy in map making and navigation, and the fact that a one or two year voyage (as planned) more than doubled in its time is a testament to this. Continue reading Charles Darwin – Coral Reefs
Proof that Noah’s Ark was Real
One of the most compelling argument that the story of Noah’s Ark is made up is the implausibility of having animals like tigers and lions together with animals like lambs and deer on the same boat for very long. The big carnivores would eventually eat the little cute furry things. The bunnies would be the first to go. But new evidence, shown on the Miracle Pet Show disproves this objection. Continue reading Proof that Noah’s Ark was Real
Evolution, Cuisine and Romance
A Cafe Scientifique by Yours Truly …….. details below the fold.
Richard Dawkins – Break the Science Barrier, Part 2
SCIENCE is useful but that is not all it is. Science can be uplifting, thrilling, life-enhancing. Originally broadcast on Britain’s Channel 4 in 1996, Break the Science Barrier follows the Oxford Biologist Richard Dawkins as he meets with people who have experienced the wonders of science first-hand. We meet the astronomer who first discovered pulsars, the geneticist who invented DNA fingerprinting, a scientist who discovered a protein that causes cancer, and others. Dawkins interviews famous admirers of science such as Douglas Adams and David Attenborough, and asks them why science means so much to them. We also see how dangerous ignorance of science can be in classrooms, courts, and beyond.With so many expressing paranormal beliefs and ignorance of science, Dawkins encourages viewers to contrast these ancient superstitions with the power and beauty of our scientific achievements and understanding.
Continue reading Richard Dawkins – Break the Science Barrier, Part 2
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin
I’m not big on holidays, so I’m not doing anything special today. But I am big on Darwin, so I am doing something special All Month! And this consists of posting several things on Darwin, in particular, a series of post on the Voyage of the Beagle. You can get a current list of the posts HERE
What is a disease?
“Disease” is a big word. I’d like to address this question by focusing on the difference, or lack of difference, between a poison, a disease, and a yummy thing to eat. It turns out that they may all be the same. Yet different. Continue reading What is a disease?
New I and the Bird
Do You Despise Adware?
Who doesn’t? Well, for one, all the people who have sipped the Kool-Ade of Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office is adware. Continue reading Do You Despise Adware?
Linnaeus’ Legacy #4: Darwin Month Extravaganza!
Linnaeus’Legacy #4: Darwin Month Extravaganza!
Get a Satellite Named After your Cat!
Or your dog, or favorite house plant, or whatever.Via Bad Astronomy, we have learned of the Name That Satellite Project at NASA. NASA is trying to reverse the mistake of naming a sattelite “GLAST.”This appears to be the beginning of a new policy of satellite naming.Go here to name the satellite.
Foisting a Cross on Others is a Freedom and a Right in America
… according to some.
The Veteran’s Administration (hospitals) maintains chapels in their facility. In 1953, the VA initiated a policy regarding chapels that states: “Chapels will be appointed and maintained as places for meditation and prayer for members of any faith group or denomination.” Apparently, this policy has been widely ignored, but is now being addresses, to the consternation of some.
Continue reading Foisting a Cross on Others is a Freedom and a Right in America