Category Archives: Uncategorized
Selling condoms in the Congo
Just a few things …
Just wanted you to know, for those who have asked, I have indeed written something on the tragic fate of Troy Davis. Here: Day of Justice, Day of Shame: The killing of Troy Davis.
I just sent off my submission to the Minnesota Atheist Book Project. If you were thinking of doing that, better get moving, the deadline is coming up. Details here.
I want to note that Sheril Kirshenbaum is running a series of guest posts on her blog, Culture of Science, and has two up already: Calling All New Ideas for 21st Century Science Funding, and Mitigation Via Domestication: The Link Between Global Climate Change and Community Effectuation.
OK I’ve gotta go get some stuff done now …. trying to clear my schedule so I can watch the XFactor on TV tonight without interruption! It’s gonna be good!
A few drawings
Do we know how Pirates Spoke? Arrrrr…
… or rather, Narrrr.
Arrrr is the term for “yes” spoke in a part of England whence that rascal Robert Newton hailed, so when he formed his dialect model for his stint as Long John Silver in Disney’s Treasure Island, he threw that in. His other piratitisms he fetched from like personal background. The truth of it is that that Long John himself hails from the same digs (West Country), but most pirates did not.
Ker Than at National Geographic News has the skivy on the pirate lingo avast. Might I suggest you sail yer ship on over there for a maw full of learnin’
I made up the thing about “Narrrrr” by the way. But it COULD mean no in some language, I suppose.
Arrrrr.
Google Plus is no longer invite only
Entomogist dreams to take over the world
Very cute song. But, I do find it a little poignant and even mildly disturbing that the primary motivating criteria for her raison d’être have to do with the whole journal thing and being like the established heternormativeoccidopatriarchic white guys. Instead of just discovery of things not previously known about bugs.
Hat tip: Bug Girl
I am Troy Davis
James Randi’s fiery takedown of psychic fraud
An oldie but a goodie, and appropriate given the UK’s latest move:
UK Government Backs ESP Research?
Apparently, in the UK the government can recognize an organization as an “official entity” and has done so for the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP).
Henceforth, the ASSAP is a “Professional Body.”
The Association’s website explains that such a body “exists to further the interests of a particular profession, its clients, [and] the public at largeâ€, adding that professional bodies often set standards for their members. In the UK, for example, the British Psychological Society represents psychologists, the Institute of Civil Engineers represents civil engineers, and so on.
Well, good, they’ll have standards, then!
This does not imply government funding. Here’s a writeup of the news.
New Crime Busting Technology
Check this out. This is an animation made by the same company that made the famous Tiger Woods animation (you know the one). In this case the purpose of the animation was to reconstruct an unusual crime scene so people could see it on the news, relate better to it, and report anything they may have seen in the area that was suspicious.
This may not be work safe, depending on where you work:
“Dream of Peace”
Bill O’Reilly Will Quit Fox News!!!!!
… if Obama raises taxes.
I thought raising taxes on the rich was a good idea. Now I KNOW it’s a good idea.
Acording to Mediaite: “O’Reilly made the claim during his Talking Points Commentary …”
Republicans Acting Badly
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Climate Scientists Defended!
You’ll remember that a few days ago I asked people to contribute to the Climate Scientists Defense Fun. They needed money to stop denialists from personally harassing scientists. The needed funds were obtained from your donations and all is well!!!!
However, the people who organized this have decided to try to generate a standing fund for this purpose, and have asked us bloggers who discuss these issues to let people know about. It is still being developed, but you can learn more about it here.
Thanks for all your help and generosity!