Archives for March, 2012
Evolution of the Moon
Posted by Greg Laden on March 31, 2012 A very interesting perspective. Different kinds of craters results from the intersection of different size impacts and different geological conditions prevailing at the time . I wonder if that first big meteor would have come in at that angle. Anyway, very cool animation.
Predator and Prey Podcast Produced
Posted by Greg Laden on March 31, 2012 On Skeptically Speaking: This week, we’re looking into the many strategies that animals employ in the struggle to eat other animals. We’re joined by freelance science writer Matt Soniak, to discuss the often complex relationship between hunter and hunted. And on the podcast, biological anthropologist Greg Laden returns to tell us about humanity’s history as…
On one hand, Paul Douglas. On the other, Heartland
Posted by Greg Laden on March 30, 2012 I have two only vaguely related items for you, and the first is really two items. Paul Douglas has written a piece on climate change that you should read. Douglas is the famous Twin Cities meteorologist who worked for several years at our own WCCO. He was a regional celebrity, much loved by all, and…
Help Shawn Otto get Readers Choice Award!
Posted by Greg Laden on March 30, 2012 Go here and click on the thing. You know Shawn from his book “Fool me Twice.” Like the page then scroll down a page or two to “Fool me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America by Shawn Lawrence Otto” and vote on that one. Forget about all the other books, they suck. YOU…
Do Neonicotinoid Pesticides Contributed to the Complex Thing We Call Bee Colony Collapse?
Posted by Greg Laden on March 30, 2012 A commonly used insecticide, and possibly an increasingly widely used form of that pesticide, could be a causal factor in bee colony collapse. It is not 100% certain that this pesticide’s effects can be counted as one of the causes this problem, but there is a very good chance that neonicotinoids can cause a drop…
Rick Santorum on Creationism Laws
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 This just in: Baton Rouge, LA — (March 27, 2012) — At Senator Santorum’s March 23rd rally in Pineville Louisiana, student activist, Zack Kopplin, had the chance to question the Senator about creationism laws. Kopplin, who has led the effort to repeal Louisiana’s creationism law, the misnamed and misguided Louisiana Science Education Act, asked Santorum…
How to learn language
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 How to learn language Me: “Huxley, this is your milk. I’m going to drink it myself!” Huxley: “I’m going to drink it ME-self!” Me: “What?” Huxley: “I’m going to drink it I-self!” Me: “Huh?” Huxley: “I’m going to drink it Huxley-self!” Me: “Oh, OK, here’s your milk!”
You need to give Sharon some money, right now
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 As many of you know, because you’ve not seen me around as much as usual, I’ve been devoting a considerable amount of my time to volunteering for a political campaign in my district. I’m trying to help Sharon Sund replace Erik Paulsen in the Third Congressional District of Minnesota. Erik is the Republican who took…
Always double check when strange things happen in Cardiff
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 And now a closer look at Cardiff:
Earl Scruggs: RIP
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 Earl Scruggs dies on Wednesday.
Elgin Offshore Drill Gas Leak
Posted by Greg Laden on March 29, 2012 Ruh Roh.
I’m really excited about Skeptically Speaking this week
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 Marie-Claire Shanahan is going t be interviewing David Dobbs about his book, Reef Madness: Charles Darwin, Alexander Agassiz, and the Meaning of Coral on Skeptically Speaking. So, that would be one of my favorite people interviewing one of my favorite authors about one of my favorite books which is, in turn, about one of my…
Get Ready for Global Water Dances
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 Coming to a place near you in June. Info
Koch Brothers Exposed (Trailer)
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 Get your copy here.
Michael Mann on Climate Scientists and Smear Campaigns
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 Climate scientist Michael Mann is no stranger to smear campaigns. Man has the distinction of having made important contributions to climate science, for which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize. He is famous to many of you for having come up with the “hockey stick” metaphor. Michael Mann is a good scientist who has done…
A challenge for you
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 What are we looking at here? Your answer will depend on the angle with which you approach the problem. hat tip: Sarah Moglia.
Don’t Miss one of the Most Important Interviews of the Year!
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 I will be interviewing Maggie Koerth-Baker this Sunda, April 1st, no fooling. Maggie Koerth-Baker is the author of the new book, “Before the Lights Go Out: Conquering the Energy Crisis Before It Conquers Us”. Maggie is the science editor and a regular writer at Boing Boing, and hails from the Twin Cities. She was once…
Predators, Prey and Me. (Corrected)
Posted by Greg Laden on March 28, 2012 Just wanted to let you know that Matt Soniak, science writer, was interviewed on Skeptically Speaking last Sunday, March 25th, and a cleaned up version of the interview will be released on Saturday as a podcast . Matt was talking about Predators and Prey. And, on the podcast there will be a pre-recorded conversation with…
Maddow on Today about Drift
Posted by Greg Laden on March 27, 2012 Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy I’m still reading Drift. It’s been hard to get the time with all this conventioneering I’m doing, but I’m loving it. See also this preliminary look at the book.
Lord Sir Christopher Monkton, Science Advisor to the Stars, is … wait, what?
Posted by Greg Laden on March 27, 2012 Faking it? He’s a fake? Do tell! More details, context, here.
Should I put Nitrogen in my Car Tires?
Posted by Greg Laden on March 27, 2012 There is a spreading belief that if you put Nitrogen (instead of regular air) in your car tires, that you will get better gas mileage. The reasoning behind this may be sound, but the facts on which the reasoning is based are not correct. Therefore, the answer is no, it is not advantageous for the…
“Monkey Bill” Passes
Posted by Greg Laden on March 27, 2012 Tennessee “monkey bill” passes legislature House Bill 368 passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on a 72-23 vote on March 26, 2012, the Chattanooga Times Free Press (March 26, 2012) reports. The bill would encourage teachers to present the “scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses” of topics that arouse “debate and disputation” such as “biological evolution,…
freeDOS site redesign
Posted by Greg Laden on March 26, 2012 Click Here to explore freeDOS’s new site design, now in testing stage. I think it looks much much better than the old site and is noticeably more functional. It is actually a good model for other similar software supporting sites. The thing I like about it most is that you need to do very little…
Dr Who 2012 season trailer
Posted by Greg Laden on March 26, 2012 Run! Interesting. I don’t know what I think of the US thing. How’s that working out with Torchwood? (I’m a year behind on everything because I only see these things on Netflix.)
Running a Well Organized Political Campaign in Minnesota
Posted by Greg Laden on March 26, 2012 I have participated in Minnesota Democratic Party (officially known as the DFL1) activities in the past, but never as intimately as this year. In doing so, I’ve observed a number of very interesting things about how a political campaign works, and I’d like to share those observations with you. In particular, I’ll contrast the campaign…
Tennessee, the Laughing Stock State becomes … A Laughing Stock
Posted by Greg Laden on March 26, 2012 Tennessee is where the famous Scopes Trial of 1925 played out, and more recently two state level state bills (one house and one senate) are in play in a move by legislatures to further enhance Tennessee’s reputation as a place where people don’t value education and would not know of valid scientific theory if it…
A DFL Walking Caucus
Posted by Greg Laden on March 25, 2012 This is what a Democratic Party Walking Caucus looks like. It is a thing we do in Minnesota. It is so arcane and complicated that the press never covers it, so no one has any idea that we are doing this to select our nominees for political office. We have a fake “primary” at the…
How To Make Pink Slime
Posted by Greg Laden on March 25, 2012 Careful; it cause large red question marks to pop out of your head.
Al Gore and Lord Mockinworthy Debate!!!
Posted by Greg Laden on March 24, 2012 Read this for context. Finally, someone has rhymed Praxis with Taxes.
, which is now available for the 
