(via little things)
Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
(via little things)
The giant cuttlefish fades and dies after mating. Somehow they maintain a little dignity in dying.
This new movie, Jurassic World, is stirring up a fascinating love/hate reaction from paleontologists. We all love to imagine dinosaurs resurrected, and the movies give us an image of what they’d be like, so everyone is happy to see that…and it also inspires new enthusiasm for fossils, so it helps lead to better support for good science. But at the same time, couldn’t they at least get the science right?
Kirkland, the state paleontologist at the Utah Geological Survey who has been involved in the discovery of 20 dinosaurs including the Utahraptor, admits such Hollywood blockbusters could inspire a whole new generation of fossil lovers. Yet, he frets that this movie – much like its three predecessors – will be filled with so many factual errors as to spread misinformation.
This week is Secular Student Week! This guest post was written by Matthew Facciani who is a graduate student, activist, and member of the Secular Student Alliance. The SSA has set a goal of 500 donations during Secular Student Week. Please consider making a donation to help reach that goal!
I was pretty religious as a teenager, but once I learned more about science, philosophy, and religion I eventually became an atheist. I was very comfortable with my decision to no longer be religious, but I always felt somewhat out of place while attending my Christian affiliated college that banned the formation a secular student group. My only knowledge of other atheists was from the internet as I never met another atheist while I was an undergraduate.
After I finished my undergraduate degree, I went straight into a neuroscience PhD program at The University South Carolina. South Carolina is right in the buckle of the Bible Belt so I really wanted to meet other atheists to feel less isolated. I looked up secular groups in my area and found a thriving secular student group at my campus! I still remember feeling overwhelmed at the first meeting I attended because I went from never meeting another atheist to being in a room full of them!
Markus Prime
I wish.
(More about the artist Markus Prime here; he does paint nudes, if that concerns you.)
Nick and Sarah Jensen have announced that they will get a divorce if marriage equality is allowed in Australia, which is simply the most childish, spiteful response to the situation that I’ve heard of yet. It’s like, if stupid people were allowed to marry, I’d have to top Jensen by divorcing my intelligent wife and tearing up my Ph.D.
The logic behind their decision is inane.
Tim Hunt, the sexist pig, has has been retired from his honorary position at UCL.
UCL can confirm that Sir Tim Hunt FRS has today resigned from his position as Honorary Professor with the UCL Faculty of Life Sciences, following comments he made about women in science at the World Conference of Science Journalists on 9 June.
UCL was the first university in England to admit women students on equal terms to men, and the university believes that this outcome is compatible with our commitment to gender equality.
Note: this was an honorary position, he was not paid, he didn’t have any duties, but was just expected to show up for the dog-and-pony shows. This resignation represents no significant loss to scientific progress. His primary employment is at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London, but he also has had appointments at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory and the University of Cambridge. Don’t read too much into a resignation from one honorary position; he’s not hurting, except in his pride.
And also, this was a handy move to feed the narrative: political correctness gone mad! Tragic loss to science as Nobel prize winner is hounded into retirement!
Be afraid.
I’m watching the toaster from now on, just in case the sneaky little gizmo tries to shiv me in the kidneys some morning, in addition to burning my bagel.
Miley Cyrus has done a nude photo shoot. To which I shrug, and note that we’re all naked under our clothes, and that I’m not particularly interested in Miley Cyrus, or her music, or her opinions, so fine. I am unperturbed and unenthused.
But then, I’m not Ken Ham. Ham is distraught that she made fun of the cash cow he’s hoping to start milking, and I’ve noticed that the issues that most distress Answers in Genesis is any challenge that might impede the revenue stream.
I like this, and it’s probably what I would do: when some guy strolls into a restaurant flaunting his great big weapon, get up and leave. It grants them a lot of power to ruin your evening, but I think the risk of getting shot would ruin it even more.
