Mad rantings about politics, evolution, and microbiology. Comment policy: say what you want, but back it up with an email address. I don't like anonymous trolls.
mikethemadbiologist
Posts by this author
July 11, 2010
Here are some links for you. Science:
Using the General Social Survey
FCC broadband plan will put US in "second tier of countries"
Other:
Show Him the Money. Tom Donohue scares millions of dollars out of corporations and Republicans. But is his U.S. Chamber of Commerce good for business?
David…
July 11, 2010
One of the biggest environmental challenges we face is trying to make the outer suburbs and exurbs more energy efficient. The basic problem is that suburbia requires a car. That is a huge energy consumer and CO2 producer. Lance Mannion describes the problem very clearly:
To the degree that going…
July 10, 2010
It's hot and muggy. Stay inside and read some links. Science:
Amateur Scientist Has Built a Fusion Reactor in Brooklyn
Robins can literally see magnetic fields, but only if their vision is sharp (but can they shoot laser beams out of their eyes? That would be cool, if dangerous)
Tyrannosaurs:…
July 10, 2010
I've mentioned before how the decision to walk away from a mortgage that costs more than your house is worth ('strategic default') should be based on how that decision affects you financially (and, of course, if you want to stay in the house anyway). In an environment where loans were approved…
July 9, 2010
I'm ready for Friday. Maybe I'll relaxed with a nice, cold...set of links! Science:
The short life expectancy of longevity genes (?)
Cups, Buckets, Pools, and Puddles: When the Flood of Papers Won't Abate, Which Do You Choose?
10 Crazy-Looking New Deep-Sea Creatures
Serious flaws revealed in "…
July 9, 2010
Just like I don't think Peter Peterson is stupid enough to believe his anti-Social Security propaganda, President Obama can't actually believe this:
"Now, government can't create jobs, but it can help create the conditions for small businesses to grow and thrive and hire more workers," President…
July 8, 2010
I heard there was some dyspepsia yesterday or something. Maybe links will make you feel better. Science:
Looks Great, Less Nutritious?
Scientists describe 2 new species of fish from area engulfed by oil spill
The wolves of Ethiopia
Other:
Why Isn't Investment Higher?
Our New York Times Op Ed on…
July 8, 2010
I've argued previously that economics needs to learn from biology and incorporate more of a data-driven, natural history approach. While mathematical models have their uses, it often comes down to those stupid natural history facts. The first example is given to us by Christian Wyser-Pratte by…
July 8, 2010
Update: Shortly, after writing this, ScienceBlogs pulled the Pepsi Blog
Thinking about it overnight, I'm back for now. The short version is that I think the changes are sufficient, although I'm still very disappointed in Seed. Basically, the changes in presentation seem to make it clear that the…
July 7, 2010
Still too damn hot. Stay inside and read some links. Science:
I Wouldn't Mate With You If You Were the Last Finch on Earth?
Communication Skills for Scientists
Farewell to Tenure?
Other:
Arguments From Authority
The Arrogant David Brooks Tells Readers That Stimulus Will Risk National Insolvency…
July 7, 2010
You might have heard that ScienceBlogs has rolled out a new blog about nutrition sponsored by Pepsi and that will discuss some of the things Pepsi is doing (so far, I've seen responses here, here, and here). Never mind shattering the credibility of someone who wrote this:
...keep in mind that most…
July 7, 2010
(from here)
Well, it's not a jet car, but Terrafugia has made a flying car:
The Terrafugia, a small airplane that can drive on roads and has been billed as the first "flying car," is now one step closer to becoming street- and sky-legal.
The vehicle has cleared a Federal Aviation Administration (…
July 7, 2010
Chris Mooney is encouraging people to read the longer paper on which his Washington Post op-ed piece was based (some of my thoughts on the op-ed are here). So I did.
My short take: there's some good, mixed in with some bad. I'll behave unusually and describe the good first.
The powerful…
July 6, 2010
It's damn hot. Stay inside and read some links. Science:
Longevity paper sparks debate
Homeopathy
US climate scientists receive hate mail barrage in wake of UEA scandal: Vitriolic campaign targets American scientists following leak of climate unit emails
Other:
The life of former NBA player Ray…
July 6, 2010
BP: not only trashing our oceans, but the First Amendment too! From Raw Story:
Journalists who come too close to oil spill clean-up efforts without permission could find themselves facing a $40,000 fine and even one to five years in prison under a new rule instituted by the Coast Guard late last…
July 6, 2010
If you take the raw numbers, the 1982-3 recession seems worse compared to the current depression: after all, during that time, unemployment stayed above ten percent for seven months. But that's deceiving, because the composition of the workforce was different then--workers, on average were…
July 5, 2010
Happy Fifth of July!... Erm, links? Science:
Whales and humans linked by 'helpful grandmothers'
Africa 'witnessing birth of a new ocean'
Lack of Power, Not Communication by Scientists, Is Not the Key Problem
Other:
Obama's Personality
Protestants Can't Trade
The Little, but Real, Effects of…
July 5, 2010
(from here)
One of the models for the evolution of new species is allopatric speciation, where a small isolated population diverges from a larger ancestral population. Many of these peripheral populations become extinct, but some persist and give rise to new species if they can remain…
July 4, 2010
Happy Fourth of July! Let's celebrate with some links. Science:
Are Zombie Vultures In Our Future?
The LOLcats of Science
An easy, but wrong, answer . . .
Distressed Ravens Show That Empathy Is For The Birds, Too
Other:
Galbraith Defends Deficit Comments
Why the Fiscal Commission Does Not Serve…
July 4, 2010
Over at Corrente, Joe Firestone provides details about one of the many false arguments about the Social Security 'crisis'--the claim that Social Security is DOOOMMMEEEEDDD!!! is based on incredibly pessimistic and historically unwarranted assumptions about GDP growth (italics mine):
Second, the…
July 3, 2010
It's a skoa-chah out the-yah. If you're staying inside, here are some links for you. Science:
Solving the genome puzzle
Two billion year-old fossils may rewrite natural history books
Tiny birds, big trouble: Migration to gulf a new threat to endangered plovers
Other:
Maggots in luggage locker…
July 3, 2010
Most people who follow the interaction between science and politics are well aware of the problem of 'he-said, she-said' reporting, the attempt to grant equal time to opposing views, no matter how stupid those ideas are (An aside: I've always imagined a Monty Pythonesque TV anchor turning to a…
July 2, 2010
The long weekend is here. Let's celebrate with some links. Science:
Safety records of surgery centers found lacking
The ethnobiology of voodoo zombification
Other:
Parenteau: Marching to Austeria* and Other Neolib Fibs
Invisible Bond Market Vigilantes: Duncan Black Is Not Shrill Enough Department…
July 2, 2010
Like Atrios, DeLong, and The Krugman, I'm old enough to remember when nine to ten percent unemployment was not only an economic disaster, but also viewed as an ethical and societal one. With that, I first bring you some ethics by way of the Slacktivist:
I'm not an economist, but we've got five…
July 1, 2010
One more workday before the long weekend. Some links to get you through. Science:
Medication errors spike when new residents start in July
Honey as an antibiotic: Scientists identify a secret ingredient in honey that kills bacteria
Gulf oil disaster: Pensacola Beach
The Dynamics of Deathly Drool…
July 1, 2010
Once again, Chris Mooney has published an article castigating scientists for our supposedly poor communication skills. Since I've dealt with this before, I don't want to rehash old ground. But two good posts, one by ScienceBlogling Evil Monkey and Joe at Climate Progress, are worth noting because…
July 1, 2010
(from here)
Now, by 'zombie bank', you probably think I'm referring to banks that have more liabilities than assets, and are basically waiting for the plug to be pulled. Nope. At this point, the only rational explanation for many banks' behavior is that they have actually been taken over by…
June 30, 2010
I think we're about to get overrun by zombies. Last chance for links. Science:
From vibrator sales to troubles with monogamy, evidence aboundsthat Homo sapiens is an exceedingly sexual species.
Science historian cracks the 'Plato code'
"A state of institutional denialism"
A Neuroscientist…
June 30, 2010
One of the really difficult things for me to comprehend is why the idea of 'Fiscal Austerity' is so popular among politicians, especially too many Democratic ones, when Fiscal Austerity will lead to high unemployment. The null hypothesis of "people are fucking morons", while personally appealing,…
June 29, 2010
Another day, another dollar. Links for you (and they're free!). Science:
A simple way to get the antiscience crowd to come around?
The Dynamics of Deathly Drool (With BONUS LOL Komodo Dragons!)
Why kangaroos evolved small arms and long legs
Other:
Manifesto: I Am Not a Brand
Why wouldn't people…