History The meaning of Christmas 22 Dec 201122 Jun 2018 Tony Piro creatively borrows from Peanuts. Click on the picture to see the full comic. Tony has Linus give a fairly standard view, that Christmas is based on prior religious traditions. He carefully avoids making Linus repeat the “Christmas is the birthdate of [insert deity or religious figure]” view, which… Continue Reading
Epistemology Math as language 31 Aug 201122 Jun 2018 I recommend this webcomic, “Freefall” – it’s thoughtful and fun. Continue Reading
General Science Passing thoughts on Rise of the Planet of the Apes 14 Aug 201114 Aug 2011 Spoilers. Look away. As usual Hollywood cannot present how scientists actually do their work. But Rise is a much better film than I expected. For a start, the social dominance behaviours of primates was well presented, along with submission behaviours, threat stares, reciprocal altruism and a host of documented behaviours…. Continue Reading
Humor God damn Tony Piro! 2 Aug 201122 Jun 2018 Tony Piro does this comic: But that’s not why God should damn him. Philosophers do these sorts of things to their kids, and neither of my kids could leave home because Achilles and the Tortoise were always blocking the door. Instead, he should be damned because He’s a godless atheist… Continue Reading
Politics Religions, cults and wacos 11 Jul 201122 Jun 2018 Yes, I’m aware that it’s spelled “wacko” but when people start talking about cults, they often have in mind the insanity that led to the Waco compound disaster. The “Church” of Scientology has used a SLAPP suit to try to stop a “cult-rescue” group from characterising it as a cult…. Continue Reading
Pop culture More on tone 4 Jul 20117 Jul 2011 The “Tone Wars” revive from time to time, most recently in PZ Myers’ justified criticisms of Richard Dawkins’ objections to feminist objections to sexist language and moves. The story so far: Jen McCreight, who blogs as Blag Hag (why can’t I think up such clever names?) was commenting on the… Continue Reading
Evolution Evolution in films 11 Nov 2010 OK, I’m giving a lecture on evolution in films. So far I have these: THEM! Godzilla, King of the Monsters King Kong The Time Machine X-Men Fantasia 2001 a space odyssey Mission To Mars Evolution Avatar Ice Age 3 – Dawn of the Dinosaurs Jurassic Park Destroy All Monsters Lost… Continue Reading
Evolution Things Glenn Beck has never seen 24 Oct 2010 A DNA sequence Comparative anatomical diagrams Behavioural studies of apes and humans compared Psychological studies of apes and human children Fossils A science book His arse Continue Reading