Monthly Archives: September 2013

My Thoughts on ‘Cleanses’…

Posted on September 27, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

…are best described by this part from a spoof of Whole Foods: I pass the table where the guy invites me to join a group cleanse he’s leading. For $179.99 I can not-eat not-alone… not-gonna-happen. They’re doing the cleanse where … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure | 3 Comments

Pedagogy Matters: The Fractions Edition

Posted on September 27, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Most education ‘reform’ plans focus on labor management issues, which means little insignificant things like teaching are ignored by our political betters. Myself, I’ve never understood this attitude in academia, where people spend lots of time figuring out what they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Links 9/26/13

Posted on September 26, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Climate Change Devastating Ocean Fisherman: ‘Sometimes We’ll Catch 5,000 Pounds Of Jellyfish’ First Octopus Farms Get Growing Mystery over obesity ‘fraud’: Researcher baffled after his results appear in bogus paper. (bizarre) A forgotten but crucial cause … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | 1 Comment

Bring the Booth to You in Boston

Posted on September 26, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

I’m referring to Sukkot, called in English the Feast of Booths. Jews are commanded to have meals in a hut known as a sukkah (this is a holdover from our more agrarian days). Apparently, Boston has a Sukkah-mobile: (observed at … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Jewish Stuff | Comments Off on Bring the Booth to You in Boston

Guns Make You Stupid: When Killing Is Easy

Posted on September 26, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

I wrote this after an incident in Back Bay, Boston, during which a resident, after arguing with sanitation workers, went back into his house, got his gun (actually, one of three guns) and threatened to kill them: One thing to … Continue reading →

Posted in BANG! BANG!, Fucking Morons | 2 Comments

Links 9/25/13

Posted on September 25, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Mentors behaving badly It’s Getting Hot In Here Tannosomes and the trickle-around effect: a new cell organelle is discovered Standing Up for GMOs FYI: Why Do I Poop More When I Have My Period? Other: Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 9/25/13

But This Will Be Excellent Training For Science

Posted on September 25, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

From a post about excessive amounts of homework (boldface mine): Every parent I know in New York City comments on how much homework their children have. These lamentations are a ritual whenever we are gathered around kitchen islands talking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Jobs | 8 Comments

Why Understanding Fiat Currency Matters For Scientists: We Are Being Pitted Against Public Health

Posted on September 25, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Because we’re being played off against food stamps by Republican congressmen: We’re only asking for a 5 percent decrease [in SNAP] in a time of budgetary crisis, where this is being put up against funding the NIH for basic medical … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Funding, Hunger, NIH, Public Health | 10 Comments

Links 9/24/13

Posted on September 24, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: These are a few of my favorite stings… Older fathers and the IQ of their children Most holy water harbors fecal matter On superbugs, the CDC sounds an alarm (interesting as WaPo reflects Washington conventional wisdom) … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | Comments Off on Links 9/24/13

The Second Worst Thing About the Navy Yard Massacre: How the NRA Mainstreamed Horror As Normal

Posted on September 24, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

It goes without saying, the worst thing is the death and injury. But what’s ugly and depressing is that, based on the public reaction, mass shootings are now viewed as if they were weather disturbances. Violent, perhaps, but unavoidable. That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in BANG! BANG! | 1 Comment