Monthly Archives: January 2015

Customers of Versus Participants in: The Problem With the U.S. Left

Posted on January 25, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

While this is a description of the European left, it also seems relevant to the Democratic Party in the U.S. (boldface mine): But Mair – an expert on the evolution of political parties and party systems – makes a strong … Continue reading →

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Links 1/24/15

Posted on January 24, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: A one-grant limit: NIH institute puts squeeze on flush investigators (seems like this policy, if it doesn’t allow some overlap will cause a lot of lab techs to lose their jobs) When the rats are away, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | 3 Comments

Serenity, Late Night

Posted on January 24, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Observed on Swann Street, between 14th and 15th, Logan Circle, D.C.:

Posted in DC | 1 Comment

Yes, Measles Is Still Deadly

Posted on January 24, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

A problem public health officials face is that many communicable diseases aren’t lethal or even dangerous to most people (Ebola and HIV are the obvious exceptions). As a result, we tend to underestimate how dangerous many infectious diseases are. Tara … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaccination | 1 Comment

Possible Fare Hikes on the D.C. Metro

Posted on January 23, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Though given the alternative of even worse service on the weekends and evenings, I’m willing to pay around $4 per month more if there’s no alternative* (boldface mine): Among the changes under consideration is a 10-cent hike in Metrorail and … Continue reading →

Posted in DC, Transportation | 2 Comments

The Closing of Microbial Genomics Data?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

This post will have to be a little vague, but from my vantage point, I’m seeing two disturbing trends in terms of microbial genomics. For those who aren’t the cognoscenti, the weird thing about open access data arguments for anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Genomics, Public Health, Publishing | 1 Comment

Links 1/22/15

Posted on January 22, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Does Global Warming Make Me Look Fat? The health benefits of being cold Why Pygmies Aren’t Scared By The ‘Psycho’ Theme Absurd Creature of the Week: The Tiny Primate That Was Probably the Inspiration for Yoda … Continue reading →

Posted in Lotsa Links | 1 Comment

Links 1/21/15

Posted on January 21, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Why quarantine for measles is critical…and quarantine for Ebola was not Dick Lewontin and Tomoko Ohta nab the Crafoord Prize Ocean Life Faces Mass Extinction, Broad Study Says Looking for the roots of terrorism: Anthropologist Scott … Continue reading →

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Poverty Might Just Have Something to Do With Being Poor

Posted on January 21, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Like my Uncle Harry used to say, “Rich or poor, it’s always good to have money.” Or we could just blame poor parents for being ‘bad’ parents (boldface mine): Poorer parents are just as involved in education, leisure, and sports … Continue reading →

Posted in Basic Human Decency | 3 Comments

Republicans Embrace Paul Ryan’s Goal to Create Massive Government Bureaucracies

Posted on January 21, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

A while ago, when Republican Rep. Paul Ryan was embracing his Inner Compassionate Conservative by releasing his anti-poverty program, which included a “customized life plan” with a personalized contract with benchmarks and timelines, I noted that his idea was liberalism … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Conservatives, Fucking Morons, Healthcare | 4 Comments