Category Archives: Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure

Nothing in Movement Conservatism Makes Sense Except in the Light of Creationism: The Contraception Edition

Posted on March 28, 2014 by mikethemadbiologist

With apologies to Theodosius Dobzhanksy. Amanda Marcotte describes what happens when the Gish Gallop collides with reproductive health: Conservative: I don’t want to pay for your abortifacients! Liberal: Look, there are two lies in there. One, you are not “paying … Continue reading →

Posted in Blastocyst Liberation, Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Creationism, Fucking Morons | 2 Comments

The ACA Foul-Up: The Difference Between “We Can Do That” Versus “We Could Do That”

Posted on November 25, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

I’ve stayed away from commenting on the actual details of how Healthcare.gov got so screwed up, largely because details–as opposed to guesses–have been scarce. But a recent NY Times article on the subject is very revealing (boldface mine): The prime … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Fucking Morons, Healthcare | 6 Comments

Malcolm Gladwell and Revisionist Civil Rights History

Posted on October 29, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Look, those people are tricking the police into beating them! (from here) I thought once you’ve been a Big Tobacco shill, you really can’t sink any lower. I was wrong–there’s always revisionist history that slights the civil rights movement (behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Conservatives | 8 Comments

It’s Never Too Early to Teach Kids to Hate Learning

Posted on October 18, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

New York’s high-stakes testing regime has now metastasized to kindergarten. Really (boldface mine): Because of a tough new curriculum and teacher evaluations, 4- and 5-year-olds are learning how to fill in bubbles on standardized math tests to show how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Education, Fucking Morons | 14 Comments

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

Genomics on the Subway? (Genomicists of the World Unite! You Have Only Your Flow Cells to Lose!)

Posted on August 24, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

No, this isn’t some wacky microbiome study. I recently observed this at Cambridge’s Kendall Station: I especially like the pseudo-populist angle. Though I have a better slogan: “E-llumina is E-litist!” Or maybe: Sequencing For All! Genomicists of the World You … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Genomics, Propaganda | 1 Comment

The Age of Denial and the Marketplace of Ideas

Posted on August 23, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

I probably should have written “The Age of Denial Results from the Marketplace of Ideas.” Physicist Adam Frank at the NY Times tackles the topic of denialism and science (boldface mine): Today, however, it is politically effective, and socially acceptable, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Creationism, Fucking Morons | 5 Comments

McDonald’s Sample Budget Makes Sense

Posted on July 17, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

For McDonald’s that is. So McDonald’s, in an effort to help its employees, has built a website where you can plan your monthly budget. Here’s the mock budget they present: You can stop laughing now. As Ryan Chittum notes, no … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure | 8 Comments

Smarter Pundits Needed: The March of History Edition

Posted on March 17, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

Political pundits, like small children, say the craziest things. Except, unlike small children, there’s nothing cute or funny about it (boldface mine): The panelists were weighing in on the gay marriage cases the Supreme Court will hear later this month. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, News Media | Comments Off on Smarter Pundits Needed: The March of History Edition

One Alabama Republican Didn’t Get the Memo About ‘Fetus = Person’

Posted on February 20, 2013 by mikethemadbiologist

After years of being told that fetuses are people by the forced pregnancy crowd, we now have this utterance from the Great State of Alabama (boldface mine): Alabama state Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin (R-of course), who is sponsoring a bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Blastocyst Liberation, Bullshit As a Load Bearing Structure, Conservatives, Fucking Morons | 2 Comments