Tuesday, November 29
The earth probably was habitable many billions of years earlier than previously thought.
Is it just me, or is it true that the more sophisticated our science gets, the less it turns out we know? For example, recent study of zircons has undermined the "conventional theories that early Earth was either moonlike or dominated by oceans. Those theories hold that continental crust didn't form until 4 billion years ago, more than 500 million years after the planet formed." Now, some scientists now believe that "oxygen isotopic composition [of zircons] indicate [s] that more than 4.4 billion years ago there was already water on the surface of the Earth."
By resolution of its legislature, Idaho "commends Jared and Jerusha Hess and the City of Preston for showcasing the positive aspects of Idaho's youth, rural culture, education system, athletics, economic prosperity and diversity."
The text of the resolution is hilarious. I particularly like the provision that "'any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote 'Nay' on this concurrent resolution are 'FREAKIN' IDIOTS!'"
The text of the resolution is hilarious. I particularly like the provision that "'any members of the House of Representatives or the Senate of the Legislature of the State of Idaho who choose to vote 'Nay' on this concurrent resolution are 'FREAKIN' IDIOTS!'"
Sunday, November 27
Avoiding family stress during the holidays
As this article points out, "We all like to think of holiday time as a season of peace, love and family togetherness. But in real life, and with the stresses of the winter holiday period, even the closest of clans is bound to have its testy moments."
Bee diversity
Until earlier this year, I had no idea there were so many different species of bees. As it turns out, different species of bees are better at pollinating particular species of plants. So bee diversity is good for the ecosystem and in particular, for your garden. This National Geographic article explains that urban "garden types have a huge effect on bee diversity."
From Balkinization, another careful look at torture law
Balkin discusses David Luban's recent article on the administration's torture policy. As usual, his analysis emphasizes the way people, lawyers mostly, use language to control the way issues are debated. For example, he argues that Luban's article helps put the torture debate back on track (in rhetorical terms, back "in stasis").
Balkin discusses David Luban's recent article on the administration's torture policy. As usual, his analysis emphasizes the way people, lawyers mostly, use language to control the way issues are debated. For example, he argues that Luban's article helps put the torture debate back on track (in rhetorical terms, back "in stasis").
Luban's article is a helpful corrective to a debate that Administration officials-- including the President of the United States-- have repeatedly and willfully confused with their Orwellian doublespeak. They have tortured the English language so they can treat others cruelly.
Did we really need a scientific study to confirm
that "Sweet Snacks Slacken Stress"? Sort of silly alliteration in the headline.
that "Sweet Snacks Slacken Stress"? Sort of silly alliteration in the headline.
Wednesday, November 16
I am against torture.
And so I'm particularly depressed and angry about the continuing revelations about torture in Iraqi prisons.
Tuesday, November 15
Recycling the plattenbau
The Morning News once again proves its worth, linking to this article about the re-use of concrete slabs from old Soviet tower-style housing to build new, more appealing housing. As the Guardian states,
I always wonder why inexpensive, sturdy concrete housing like this has never caught on. I realize that usually such structures are unappealing homogenous grey monstrosities, but they don't have to be that way. You could use the same building techniques but build something more aesthetically appealing - see the picture in the article for an example.
The Morning News once again proves its worth, linking to this article about the re-use of concrete slabs from old Soviet tower-style housing to build new, more appealing housing. As the Guardian states,
 |
It looks like many other desirable new homes: a light, spacious two-storey villa with a cool, geometric simplicity. But architect Hervé Biele's first built project, in Mehrow, just outside Berlin, is more than it seems. In its previous life, it was a grim communist tower block in an East German housing estate.Apart from new fittings and a new coat of render, this is a genuine recycled house. And it's good news for all concerned. It cost its owners about 30% less than a conventional house would have. Its basic structure took just seven days to put up. It saves a considerable amount of energy in construction materials, and therefore has impeccable environmental credentials. And it has prompted a rush of inquiries to Biele's small practice.
I always wonder why inexpensive, sturdy concrete housing like this has never caught on. I realize that usually such structures are unappealing homogenous grey monstrosities, but they don't have to be that way. You could use the same building techniques but build something more aesthetically appealing - see the picture in the article for an example.
Ecesis
Another cool plant-kindgom word. As Wordsmith says, "Decided to pack up and move to a new city? Why call it a mere moving (or shifting) when you can grandly announce your ecesis."
Another cool plant-kindgom word. As Wordsmith says, "Decided to pack up and move to a new city? Why call it a mere moving (or shifting) when you can grandly announce your ecesis."
Monday, November 14
Tropism
"The turning or bending (typically by growth instead of movement) of an organism in response to an external stimulus." What a great word. Isn't that happening to all of us, all of the time?
"The turning or bending (typically by growth instead of movement) of an organism in response to an external stimulus." What a great word. Isn't that happening to all of us, all of the time?
Thursday, November 10
Lowell B. Komie's stories
Lowell B. Komie is a Chicago lawyer who writes fiction about, among other subjects, Chicago lawyers. His prose is spare and modern, yet filled with life. His perspective is fascinating. Consider Res Ipsa and Fox Hunting, for example.
Lowell B. Komie is a Chicago lawyer who writes fiction about, among other subjects, Chicago lawyers. His prose is spare and modern, yet filled with life. His perspective is fascinating. Consider Res Ipsa and Fox Hunting, for example.
Tuesday, November 8
Have you been seeing fireballs lately?
I thought I was just going crazy, but I guess there really are fireballs in the sky these days.
I thought I was just going crazy, but I guess there really are fireballs in the sky these days.
Do women have a more refined sense of humor than men have?
According to this study, they do. Well, that's my interpretation of the study anyway. They found that on average, women take longer to decide whether something's funny. And that once they've decided something's funny, they enjoy the humor more than men do (again, on average).
According to this study, they do. Well, that's my interpretation of the study anyway. They found that on average, women take longer to decide whether something's funny. And that once they've decided something's funny, they enjoy the humor more than men do (again, on average).
Saturday, November 5
Archaeologists are fairly certain they have found Copernicus's remains in Poland. This news reminded me of how much I loved the book The Book Nobody Read: Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicus. The book recounts astrophysicist Owen Gingerich's search for the first and second editions of Copernicus's book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Gingerich's search disproves the claim that Copernicus's masterpiece was "the book nobody read," because he shows that many copies were heavily annotated. The book reads like a mystery novel and a history, particularly fascinating if you love books and science.
Thursday, November 3
Wednesday, November 2
Picture of one of our "black site" prisons?
This article, with a picture of an Afghan prison supposedly called the Salt Pit, was on Xinhua.
Tuesday, November 1
