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The author of Skulls in the Stars is an associate professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
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Category Archives: Politics
John Derbyshire: wrong even 176 years ago
Update: Added a couple sentences to clarify that I’m not attacking psychology or psychometrics, but rather the simple-minded attempts distort these fields to justify racism. Also revised my statements about Derbyshire’s particular claims, to be more explicit about the flaws … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science, Politics
22 Comments
Some thoughts on the recent tenure-related shooting
In the wake of the tragedy in Alabama, there has as expected been a lot of discussion on the internet about the nature of the shooting and its implications. In some sense, my impression is that the case has become … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Science news
9 Comments
Captain America has a tradition of social commentary
If you haven’t seen it yet, the most recent issue of the Marvel Comics series Captain America has drawn the ire of teabaggers because of its negative portrayal of them. Via Yahoo news, Since 1941, Captain America has been one … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Entertainment, Politics
2 Comments
Benjamin Franklin’s words on the Constitution
On Tuesday night, almost on the eve of a historic Senate vote on expanding health care coverage for Americans, hundreds of people congregated outside of Joe Lieberman’s Connecticut house in a candlelight vigil to advocate for healthcare reform. The vigil, … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
3 Comments
The Linkin’ Log, video edition: October 8, 2009
Over the past couple of weeks, a few videos caught my eye, for various reasons. I thought that it was a good time for a collection of links: Via Steven Benen at Political Animal, a video has been found which … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Politics
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DougJ of Balloon Juice won the internets yesterday!
I don’t usually like making short posts without adding much substance, but I couldn’t let this one go by. DougJ of Balloon Juice wrote yesterday about people’s desire to see Dick Cheney actually run for President in 2012. His choice … Continue reading
Roger Ebert on ‘death panels’ and the power of a phrase
If you don’t read Roger Ebert’s blog, you probably should. In recent years (and probably before that, but before blogs) he’s been writing some of the most thoughtful posts I’ve seen on a range of topics, from politics to science … Continue reading
Posted in Entertainment, Politics
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Catching “The Wave”: still relevant
Watching crowds of lunatic extremists attempting to shut down any reasonable debate about healthcare by shouting down politicians at town halls and even bringing firearms to protests is reminiscent of the scare tactics that brownshirts used to secure power in … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Entertainment, Politics
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The anniversary of McCarthy’s downfall
Via Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann, I was reminded that today, June 9, is the anniversary of the day that red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy was given his comeuppance on national television by soft-spoken lawyer Joseph Welch. In 1954, a series … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
13 Comments
The great Presidential book-reading race!
At times I’m simply dumbfounded by the idiotic stories the big news organizations can come up with. In a short article titled, “Obama keeping up with Bush’s reading pace?”, CNN’s Political Ticker reported, on June 2, It appears President Obama … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Politics
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