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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a 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. -
Category Archives: … the Hell?
Why I hate the media, part 10,000
CNN’s current headline, as I write this: “President Bush takes part in commemorative tree planting.” This is listed as a “Live, developing story.”
Posted in ... the Hell?, Politics
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Incredibly stupid policy comment of the week
So I’m standing in line at the security checkpoint at the airport, and not even a long line at that (10 minutes?). Suddenly a gruff older man starts complaining to his wife next to me. He says, “If they had … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Politics
2 Comments
Phishers: It’s like they’re not even trying any more…
I get so many `phishing’ emails that I used to not bother even looking at them, but some of them are such comedy gold that I’m starting to enjoy the bizarre tales that they tell (like, for instance, the one … Continue reading
The role of cognitive bias in the existence of crackpottery and quackery
A few recent articles got me thinking about the prevalence of crackpot science and medical quackery in modern society, and I thought I’d just write a post with some general thoughts and observations on the subject. The articles that got … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science, Science news
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The return of the Lizard Man!!! Or a bear.
CNN has a video reporting that Lee County, SC may be suffering the return of its not-particularly-famous Lizard Man. First sighted in June 1988, a local teen was changing a tire on his car near Scape Ore Swamp when he … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Animals
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Science: It’s more complicated than creationists think
The Bad Idea Blog recently contained a report about embarrassing arguments creationists in Florida are using against evolution: “My objection to their proposal is that, at its core, the suggested science standard relative to evolution is a set of beliefs … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science
9 Comments
Is it natural, or is it designed?
Creationist quack/hack Ray Comfort has a blog, and he recently argued that the Bible is a science text, and in fact is better than science (h/t Pharyngula). My main response to such drivel is that if the Bible is better … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science
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More conspiracy-mongering about anti-depressants (revised)
I normally enjoy reading Crooks & Liars, the liberal video weblog, but a post today hit upon a pet peeve of mine. To quote the original news article, An analysis published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that … Continue reading
Giant ‘UFO’ spotted over Texas!
Man, if this post doesn’t get my blog stats up, I can’t imagine anything will! Citizens of Stephenville, Texas have for several weeks now reported seeing an unidentifiable object flying over the city. To quote CNN: Several dozen people — … Continue reading
Robber shoots himself in groin!
A few years back, I was very interested in reading about very dumb criminals. My interest was rekindled by this story: Police said a Kokomo man accidentally shot himself in the genitals as he robbed a convenience store early Tuesday. … Continue reading
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