OK, so this particular set of passive aggressive images is technically not really lying or deceit, but, in the the trickster, they are lots of fun. I think Loki would approve. Remember, deceit isn’t just about lying, it’s about what is said, what is left unsaid, and twists in understanding. Yes, Loki would definitely approveContinue reading “Passive Aggression Can Be Fun”
Category Archives: Books
The Hubbert Curve
In 1956, M. King Hubbert warned that new oil supplies would not last forever. He predicted that at some point, our extraction of oil would peak and then begin to decrease, following a bell-shaped curve (The Hubbert Curve). As we exhausted our one-time inheritance of oil, it would cost more and energy and money toContinue reading “The Hubbert Curve”
American Rehab
The short stories in Thomas Hardy Was An Optimist look at the lives of several troubled people from the lat 1980’s through the early 2000’s. During this time, more happened than the HIV epidemic. The United States also declared its “war on drugs,” and with it, the mass incarceration rate for which the country isContinue reading “American Rehab”
Want to get involved? Here’s some sites that can help you help to end slavery
Despite what we want to believe, there are more slaves alive today than at any time in the history of mankind. We have more slaves because we have more people. Slaves make up a smaller fraction of our population than ever. We are not necessarily morally superior to the people who died generations ago. FossilContinue reading “Want to get involved? Here’s some sites that can help you help to end slavery”
New Documentary Takes a Tough Look At The Impact of Climate Change on Civilizations
If you’ve got Netflix and steady nerves, you may want to watch the new documentary from David Attenborough, Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet. Where Silent Consent gives a fictive dystopian view of a world after our environmental apocalypse, Breaking Boundaries provides a basis for understanding what is happening now and what we needContinue reading “New Documentary Takes a Tough Look At The Impact of Climate Change on Civilizations”
Can phthalates impact the development of boys
Some chemicals in plastics can mimic estrogen, a “female” hormone. Phthalates are found in many products from cosmetics to baby bottles, toys, and paints. They can leak into waters and foods. Although debate remains, data suggests that the exposure to some estrogen-mimicking chemicals, possibly including phthalates, may feminize the genitals of developing males and reduceContinue reading “Can phthalates impact the development of boys”
Who were the “Greatest Generation”
We give this moniker to the generation born roughly between 1901 and 1927. These were the people whose youths and young adult lives were shaped by the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and the Second World War. Theirs was a generation shaped by the emergence of Hollywood movies, the rise in popularity of comic books, andContinue reading “Who were the “Greatest Generation””
Humans Drive Mimicry in Crop Plants
As I’ve always said, plants are dirty, rotten liars. But sometimes, we are the blame for their bad behaviour. One of the first documented examples of plants lying to survive was that of a weedy grass that mimicked wheat. Eventually, we put enough selection pressure on it that it became a fine cereal crop, rye.Continue reading “Humans Drive Mimicry in Crop Plants”
Germs (Pathogens) Pretend to be Part of us
Immunologists and epidemiologists know that disease casusing organisms can make proteins that the body assumes belong to it. They use these forged molecular pass keys on the cellular docking ports that allow hormones and other messengers to regulate body activities. It now looks like their deception has another consequence: the body’s messengers can get caughtContinue reading “Germs (Pathogens) Pretend to be Part of us”
Dragonflies give hints for the design of better video games, weather forecasting, and missile guidance systems.
Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) are masters of flight. Their ability to capture nimble, fast prey on the fly is amazing. It is estimated that they catch 95% of their prey, making them one of humankind’s greatest allies in our battles against mosquitoes and other small biting insects. Harmless to humans, these allies are now revealingContinue reading “Dragonflies give hints for the design of better video games, weather forecasting, and missile guidance systems.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.