Author Archives: mikethemadbiologist

Almost Two-Thirds of Your 401(k) Will Wind Up in Wall Street’s Pockets

Posted on May 23, 2013

We’ve discussed many times before how the 401(k) retirement system is a scam, but, if you don’t believe me, how about some basic arithmetic for ya–it’s the ‘management fees’ that fleece you (boldface mine): Pull up a compounding calculator on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Social Security | Leave a comment

Link 5/22/13

Posted on May 22, 2013

Links for you. Science: The puzzle of rising IQ scores Meet Your New Symbionts: Trillions of Viruses The s**t hits the fan – FDA, INDs, and fecal microbiota transplants The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek (overly optimistic; read … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Flowers Over Construction

Posted on May 22, 2013

Observed at Claredon St. and Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay:

Posted in Boston, Plants | 1 Comment

Fishweir on the Common

Posted on May 22, 2013

So there’s a fish weir on the Boston Common for the next few weeks: Here’s the reason why there is a giant fence in the middle of Boston designed to catch fish.

Posted in Boston, Fish | Leave a comment

Links 5/21/13

Posted on May 21, 2013

Links for you. Science: Mozambique Diary: Alipes The kibosh Nanopore Sequencing by Divine Intervention? My breasts. My genes. On Teaching Genetics Using Students’ and Parents’ ABO Blood Types (oops) Other: Florida Teen Expelled, Charged With Felony For Lesbian Relationship (parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Leave a comment

The Dogwoods of Boston

Posted on May 21, 2013

It was several years before I even realized these were dogwoods, since they grow very differently from those in my native Virginia (although, sadly, a fungal parasite is stunting the Virginian dogwoods). Observed on Marlborough Street, Back Bay:

Posted in Boston, Plants | Leave a comment

But How Would We Ever Spend the Money? The MA Public Health Edition

Posted on May 21, 2013

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/05/13/state-health-inspections-backlogged-months-department-pleads-for-money/a68YVLa2aM3Y6wk9DD2ZXN/story.html?s_campaign=sm_tw Back during the stimulus debate, more than a few technobrat pundits argued that it was really difficult to figure out how to spend money on things we need (really, I’m not kidding). Like many technobrat pronoucements, this was ridiculous. … Continue reading →

Posted in Massachusetts, Public Health | Leave a comment

Links 5/20/13

Posted on May 20, 2013

Links for you. Science: Neil Hall is Responsible for Rising NGS Prices A pedantic look at the cost of sequencing The need for critical science journalism; Too much contemporary science writing falls under the category of ‘infotainment’ (excellent) Jim Lovell … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Leave a comment

Cherry Tree

Posted on May 20, 2013

While the flowers might, for the most part, have vanished, we still have pictures. Observed in the Boston Public Garden:

Posted in Boston, Plants | 1 Comment

Fear and the Way of the Gun

Posted on May 20, 2013

This response to Arkansas State Representative Bell yammering about Bostonians ‘cowering’ in our homes because we couldn’t defend ourselves from terrorists is a couple of weeks old, but it’s dead on target (boldface mine): I don’t know what citizens of … Continue reading →

Posted in BANG! BANG!, Fucking Morons | 7 Comments