Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), the current Republican vice presidential nominee, has recently been condemning the whole idea of stimulus spending as wasteful, at least in public. Ryan said, at least as early as 2010 that he would not request and … Continue reading
Coma Niddy’s rap about dark matter: On the clip’s YouTube page you can click “Show more” to see the lyric and additional information about Coma Niddy (Mike Wilson), the writer-performer-producer, including links to his other science-related rap songs. I have … Continue reading
In 2009 the Taliban took over an area in northwest Pakistan, among other things closing girls’ schools. One remarkable 11-year-old student named Malala Yousafzai, the daughter of a teacher, wrote a diary for the BBC about life under the Taliban. … Continue reading
The folks at Bad Lip Reading offer their version of the first presidential debate, way more fun than the real thing: by … 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