As you’re no doubt aware, the Republican Party dropped support for Senate candidate and current Representative Todd Akin (R-Missouri) after he claimed that it’s “really rare” for victims of “legitimate rape” to get pregnant as a result. Other Republicans continue … Continue reading
In this remarkable video, a young orangutan in a South Carolina animal sanctuary makes friends with a stray dog who comes to live at the sanctuary. Link: https://youtu.be/vMUWGkdYcdQ A particularly interesting bit: When the orangutan is fed, he gives half … Continue reading
Here’s an updated version of a classic experiment originated by Sarah Brosnan showing that capuchin monkeys resent what they perceive as unfair unequal pay. The monkeys in this test have been taught that they can buy a treat with a … Continue reading
The video below is a political ad, but the points made strike me as valid and merit a look. by … Continue reading
I’m having trouble believing this one, but then again, maybe it was a mistake for us apes to give up a useful mood indicator, and if so maybe a bioengineered solution is in order. This reminds me that British author … Continue reading
An article on the Science News website reports on growing academic study of the spread of misinformation via social media such as Twitter. There is evidence that it goes beyond the usual rumor-mongering we’ve long seen in chain emails and … Continue reading
A classic bit from Don Novello in his character as Father Guido Sarducci, describing his idea for a five-minute university. I’m not sure of the exact date of this clip, but it’s some time around 1980. by … Continue reading
The Week has a useful summary of what fact-checkers have to say about the claims of Obama and Romney during Wednesday night’s debate. Jonathan Chait, writing for New York magazine, notes some similarities between the Obama-Romney debate and the Bush-Gore … Continue reading
In this remarkable — if that’s the word I want — movie death scene, we see a bad guy who isn’t easily brought down by karate chops or handguns, though you can tell he doesn’t enjoy them, either. (In fact, … Continue reading
A little more on that silly rumor (mentioned yesterday) that the Obama administration has started handing out free cell phones to poor people: The program they’re talking about was introduced under President George W. Bush (not Obama) in order to … Continue reading