Monthly Archives: October 2015

D.C. Seems To Be Driving Itself A Little Bonkers Over the Prospect Of No Tipping

Posted on October 28, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Recently, some of the more prominent D.C. restaurants have considered eliminating tips, which has lead to discussions about tipping. Needless to say, The Washington Post‘s Richard Cohen goes Full Metal Prima Nocta. What I don’t get is why this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | 2 Comments

Foodborne Illness and Naked Self-Interest

Posted on October 28, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Well, we’re nearing winter time, and that means…norovirus! Which is also known as winter vomiting disease and is every bit as fun as it sounds. When it comes to sick leave, I am utterly baffled by conservative opposition to it. … Continue reading →

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Links 10/27/15

Posted on October 27, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: How we are all contributing to the destruction of coral reefs: Sunscreen Two geeky charts show why we have no clue how much snow will fall in Washington this winter (excellent) Acting classes give scientists tools … Continue reading →

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NAEP Predictions

Posted on October 27, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Tomorrow, the NAEP (The National Assessment of Educational Progress) is supposed to release the 2015 test results. Here are my predictions: Scores will change very little from 2013 to 2015. Nonetheless, huge overarching statements about educational methods, systems, and so … Continue reading →

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Subpoena Envy: Are GOP House Staffers Leaking Confidential Grant Proposal Reports?

Posted on October 27, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

In a Vox story about Republican investigations into NSF grants with funny titles (really, I’m not exaggerating), we come across this from a letter by a Democrat who thinks the investigating Republicans are suffering from subpoena envy (pdf; boldface mine): … Continue reading →

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Links 10/26/15

Posted on October 26, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Dirty Rant About The Human Brain Project (excellent) The Little-Known, Disfiguring Disease That’s Coming Our Way The “Dark Matter” of a Compound Collection The Fats You Don’t Need to Fear, and the Carbs That You Do … Continue reading →

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Should We Have Thrown Ben Carson In Jail?

Posted on October 26, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Republican presidential candidate and successful neurosurgeon Ben Carson: “As a teenager, I would go after people with rocks, and bricks, and baseball bats, and hammers. And, of course, many people know the story when I was 14 and I tried … Continue reading →

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Paul Ryan And The Long-Term Game

Posted on October 26, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

With Republican Congressman Paul Ryan likely to be House Speaker, it’s worth noting if he can keep the Insane Beserker wing of his party under control (that’s not a trivial if), he could be an incredibly effective Speaker–and that’s really … Continue reading →

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Links 10/25/15

Posted on October 25, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Mitochondrial misconceptions The Dark Side of DNA Databases: The “match statistics” generated by analyzing large troves of DNA information are easy to misinterpret (get Bayesian!) Why the World’s Longest Treadmill Was Created for Wolves Historic Chemistry … Continue reading →

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Slickee Boys

Posted on October 25, 2015 by mikethemadbiologist

There’s a band name I haven’t heard in a long time (though I was more partial to their alter-ego rockabilly group The Wanktones). Observed in the Martin Luther King Library, D.C.:

Posted in Music | 2 Comments