Lately I’ve been reading the 19th and early 20th century traveler’s accounts of what is now known as the Western Rift Valley and the Ituri Forest, Congo. Some are written by the famous ‘explorers’ such as H.M. Stanley, others written by scientists on expeditions in the area, and still others by missionaries. Reading these accounts puts me in mind of my own experiences, as a scientist working in that same area, with the missionaries that live and work, or sometimes just visit, there.

So, a few missionary stories are in order.
Continue reading On a Mission from God →

Or, at least, it may not be “protected” speech.
Continue reading Anti-gay protesters at funerals may not be “free speech.” →

Doesn’t fit very well in our fixed 500px format. But, it’s a funny cartoon and suggests that Dilbert is a skeptic.

Hat Tip: Hemant Mehta

The Carnival of Evolution is a NeuroDojo.

… is covered in my latest weatherblogging post.

discussion is happening at The Reef Tank:

Ocean Woes by Doreen

and

More on The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a reprint from moi.

to Bioephemera, at least for now.

From PBS, hat tip DSN

One very important difference was brought to our attention by Digital Rabbit:
Continue reading Who is better, CERN, or Berkeley? →

A black four door older model caddy in need of some body work and a new muffler turned into our street. The car drove quickly but furtively, the driver seeming to not quite know where she wanted to go, to the end of the faux cul-du-sac off of which each development’s street radiated. A sharp left turn brought the vehicle next to a large storm sewer inlet, and out of the car flew a suspicious black thing with wires. The car roared off, too quickly to get the plate but not too quickly to be able to describe it and its occupants.

Continue reading Report Suspicious Behavior →