I don’t know whether to be intimidated or aroused by the description that goes with this image. Or both. The dominatrices of the orchid world are the Bucket Orchids. They are pollinated by orchid bees that want the plant’s aromatic oils to use them in their courtship dance with females. But what the poor bees …
Monthly Archive: August 2011
Aug 31 2011
Episode CCL: A brief musical interlude
One of the members of this band, Quiet Company, sent me a copy of their latest album, which he said was a personal concept record about his journey from belief to disbelief — I like the idea. And then I listened to it, and I liked the music, too! So here you go, a sample …
Aug 31 2011
Targeting Eagleman
David Eagleman is an interesting, prolific, and lively neuroscientist who has unfortunately roused the ire of a few New Atheists with his sloppy criticisms of atheism and his flaky “Possibilianism” label — and now Sam Harris is hunting him with a big ol’ barbed harpoon. This could be fun! What also makes it fun for …
Aug 31 2011
War is peace, lies are truth
Thanks to Ophelia, I have been introduced to the Vision Forum, where fantasy is inconsequential and contradictions can be blissed over. Their Beautiful Girlhood Collection is something to see: it’s built on what they claim is a Biblical vision of femininity. The Beautiful Girlhood Collection aspires, by the grace of God, to encourage the rebuilding …
Aug 31 2011
Darn it, don’t tell me this
I have decided not to ever debate creationists any more. What settled it for me was the awful Jerry Bergman debate: I was deeply embarrassed to be sharing the stage with that raving fruitcake. It was clear that it was not an opportunity for rational discussion, and further, talking with members of the creationist majority …
Aug 31 2011
Laugh at the Libertarian
There’s a reason I really despise Libertarianism…but still find them hilariously twisted. Here’s a case of a columnist defending the science of Rick Perry. You know that evolution stuff? It’s not that important. Creationism is a waste of time and it makes Perry look “unsophisticated”…but so what? There’s a real problem here, and it is …
Aug 31 2011
The sentiment pleases me
I haven’t seen this movie — heck, I never even heard of it before — but I was sent this clip and I rather liked it. You see, no one’s going to help you Bubby, because there isn’t anybody out there to do it. No one. We’re all just complicated arrangements of atoms and subatomic …
Aug 30 2011
Those silly Brits need our help with a homeopathy poll
We saved their butts in WWII*, now it’s time for everyone to save them from this foolish poll. Should homeopathic treatments be available on the National Health Service? 59.1% Yes 40.9% No *It’s more complicated than that, I know, but it’s always good to pander to the American ego. (Also on Sb)
Aug 30 2011
Bill Nye is good
Go watch this video of Bill Nye explaining global warming to a Fox News babbler. You can see why he’s a national treasure: he cocks those eyebrows, he clearly thinks he’s dealing with a knucklehead, but he goes on to slowly and carefully explain the science to him. All those years of children’s programming pay …
Aug 30 2011
A whole new world of quacks
My wife and I have three kids, and while that pregnancy and childbirth thing is way, way back in the past, we did have some strong opinions after our experience. Midwives were wonderful, we had only the best and most positive experiences with them, and they were the indispensable supporters we were glad to have …






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