Monthly Archives: June 2012

Links 6/30/12

Posted on June 30, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Solenopsis thief ant worker exudes a droplet of venom on her stinger and waves it in the air (Alex Wild is still nuts. In a good way) Economists Are … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | 1 Comment

Civility, Desperation, and the Banality of Abstraction

Posted on June 30, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

After a recent school board meeting in New Orleans, some teachers surrounded a school board member in the parking lot and gave him a piece of their minds (no violence occurred, by the way). As you might imagine, calls for … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency, Economics | 2 Comments

So What’s the Weird Thing Under the William Lloyd Garrison Statue?

Posted on June 30, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

On Commonwealth Mall, there’s a memorial to William Lloyd Garrison. It’s the usual thing for a ‘man of letters’: Very Serious! From the side: Even some nice touches, like this fallen sheaf of papers: But what the hell is this … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston | 2 Comments

How Not to Isolate E. coli

Posted on June 30, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

If you’re interested in studying what ‘real’ bacteria do–that is, not the microbiological equivalent of anemic inbred lab rats–you have to isolate them from natural samples. Yogi Berra-esque statements notwithstanding, how you isolate bacteria is critical. Methodological details do matter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, E. coli, Microbiology, Viruses | 2 Comments

Links 6/29/12

Posted on June 29, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: A Pox on You: My son has cancer. He can’t go into day care because of unvaccinated children. Solenopsis invicta stinging, an activity this species performs with particular zest (Alex Wild is 1) a great photographer; … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 6/29/12

I Want a Fish Robot

Posted on June 29, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

The Harvard Museum of Natural History has one: Stick some laser beams on it and we’re ready to go! Unfortunately, this is the only version I could possibly afford: Not nearly as snazzy-looking.

Posted in Fish, Museums etc., Robots | 1 Comment

The Hubris of Failing to Recognize That Life Is a Pre-Existing Condition

Posted on June 29, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

It’s not serious, more preventive maintenance than anything, but in a couple of weeks, I have to have a minor, non-invasive procedure done, related to my kidney stones. What with the looming PPACA decision (which might have been handed down … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare | 1 Comment

Links 6/28/12

Posted on June 28, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Humans Driving Evolution of the Spotted Salamander Why a new case of misconduct in psychology heralds interesting times for the field Faster, cheaper, smaller Open your minds and share your results (I made a similar point … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 6/28/12

I Have the Conch!

Posted on June 28, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Actually, the Harvard Museum of Natural History does, and it’s really an Australian Trumpet, Syrinx aruanus: As best I could tell, it was about 20 inches long. ZOMG!! ITS RADULA COULD DRILL INTO UR BRAINZ!!! Probably not, but that’s one … Continue reading →

Posted in Gastropods, Museums etc. | Comments Off on I Have the Conch!

Disaster Capitalism Meets the Boston Public Library

Posted on June 28, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

By way of Universal Hub, we discover that the greatest crisis the City of Boston (God save it!) faces is some excess space in the Johnson Building (aka the ‘New Wing’*) of the Boston Public Library (boldface mine): The first … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Funding, Libraries, Massachusetts, Taxes | 2 Comments