How America Ruined Its Own Election System, and How to Fix It

This is a topic I’ve been hoping to someday write extensively on, and the truth is I’m not quite ready to do so. But I have an observation that is so startling and so much in line with my thinking on this issue that I thought I’d share it as a way of introducing the … Continue reading How America Ruined Its Own Election System, and How to Fix It →

The post How America Ruined Its Own Election System, and How to Fix It appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/31/america-ruined-election-system-fix/

Twin Cities Area Energy Transition Event

A citizens action group I’m a member of is hosting an event that I wanted to tell you about. Here’s the info: What: “Great River Energy – Leading Cooperatively toward a Cost-Effective and Carbon Constrained Future” When: Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00 pm Where: at Great River Energy, 12300 Elm Creek Blvd N in Maple … Continue reading Twin Cities Area Energy Transition Event →

The post Twin Cities Area Energy Transition Event appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/27/twin-cities-area-energy-transition-event/

How to do amateur sky-watching. NOT!

In the very beginning, dad admonishes a kid with the phrase “nothing flies randomly…” Then shit starts flying randomly. Trigger warning: Shocking event just after 1:13.

The post How to do amateur sky-watching. NOT! appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/27/amateur-sky-watching-not/

How to fix the fake-news problem.

Did you know that truck drivers in Puerto Rico did NOT actually go on strike during Hurricane Maria relief efforts? Or that a former Obama White House official did NOT actually confirm that they wiretapped Trump Tower? Or that the sexual misdeed accusations against former Senate candidate Roy Moore were NOT actually a setup? Or … Continue reading How to fix the fake-news problem. →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/27/fix-fake-news-problem/

When investigating Trump, Look Both Ways

My advice to students I’ve had the chance to supervise is extensive, but includes the phrase “look both ways.” In that case, I refer specifically to library research. This worked better when most of our research was done using dead tree fragments. Here’s how it works. You find out about a book of interest. You … Continue reading When investigating Trump, Look Both Ways →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/26/investigating-trump-look-ways/

Cheap Books

Just in case you got an Amazon Gift Card for Christmas, here is a way to spend it VERY SLOWLY on cheap Kindle books, selected because of their potential interest to readers of this blog: Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia From Michael Korda, author of the New York Times bestselling Eisenhower … Continue reading Cheap Books →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/26/cheap-books/

About One in Five US President Dies, is Killed, or is Wounded in Office

Over one third are involved in something fatal or injurious to someone, themselves or another. A very small percentage leave office during their term because of their misdeeds. Presidents can leave office for a number of reasons, including getting tired of being President, or hitting term limits. Some are voted out of office before term … Continue reading About One in Five US President Dies, is Killed, or is Wounded in Office →

The post About One in Five US President Dies, is Killed, or is Wounded in Office appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/22/one-five-us-president-dies-killed-wounded-office/

Garden Insects of North America: Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs, New Edition

Garden Insects of North America: The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs is not a pocket field guide. How could it be? There are over a million species of insects and probably a lot more (huge numbers certainly remain to be discovered) and of them, some 100,000 exist in North America. I’m actually not sure how … Continue reading Garden Insects of North America: Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs, New Edition →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/22/garden-insects-north-america-ultimate-guide-backyard-bugs-new-edition/

Mark Zuckerberg named 2017’s Misinformer of the Year

Media Matters for America has nailed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, holding him to account for totally ruining civilization by not even acknowledging his responsibilities as a media mogul. According to Media Matters Angelo Carusone, “We selected Mark Zuckerberg as the Misinformer of the Year because Facebook’s actions in 2017 have been more of a public … Continue reading Mark Zuckerberg named 2017’s Misinformer of the Year →

The post Mark Zuckerberg named 2017’s Misinformer of the Year appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/20/mark-zuckerberg-named-2017s-misinformer-year/

Cilantro: The most divisive herb known to human kind

We are a Cilantro eating family. In fact, if I want to ensure that Amanda likes something I cook, I simply add four pounds of Cilantro. From the PBS Digital Studios series Reactions: I’m sure most of you already knew all the stuff in this video, and we’ve talked about it before. But it is … Continue reading Cilantro: The most divisive herb known to human kind →

The post Cilantro: The most divisive herb known to human kind appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/18/cilantro-divisive-herb-known-human-kind/

What is the best toaster oven?

Here, I depart from reviewing books, educational things, and electronic technology to tell you about a toaster oven. Our toaster oven was aging, toasting more slowly and less evenly, and continued to do one thing it always did well: taking up an inordinate amount of space on the counter. It was time for a change. … Continue reading What is the best toaster oven? →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/16/best-toaster-oven/

A History of the Future by Peter Bowler

It is always fun to see a well done academic treatment of a subject of wide general interest. A History of the Future: Prophets of Progress from H. G. Wells to Isaac Asimov by Peter Bowler is such a thing. This is about what we have come to know as “futurology,” the projection into our … Continue reading A History of the Future by Peter Bowler →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/16/history-future-peter-bowler/

Trump Gives CDC List of Verbotene Wörter

The Trump administration has sent the CDC a list of words that they are verboten … er, sorry, forbidden, not sure why I keep reverting to the language of the FATHERLAND! … anyway, words that the CDC if forbidden to use in describing their budgetary needs. The list includes these words: fetus trangender vulnerable entitlement … Continue reading Trump Gives CDC List of Verbotene Wörter →

The post Trump Gives CDC List of Verbotene Wörter appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/15/trump-gives-cdc-list-verbotene-worter/

How to defeat your own clone, and other book deals

Get ’em while they last, these will probably expire soon: How to Defeat Your Own Clone: And Other Tips for Surviving the Biotech Revolution Whether you’ve dreamed of a future with easy genetic face-lifts and chocolate-flavored broccoli or shivered from nightmares of viral warfare and biologically enhanced Richard Simmons clones, this book will set you … Continue reading How to defeat your own clone, and other book deals →

The post How to defeat your own clone, and other book deals appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/15/defeat-clone-book-deals/

Mysterious Space Object Has High Chance of Harboring Alien Intelligent Life Form

And by high chance, I mean, relatively high chance. Like, maybe, about on in 1,000,000,000,000,000,000. Which, for this sort of thing, is rather high. ‘Oumuamua is a very large cigar shaped thing moving at just over 300,000 kilometers per hour. It came from outside our solar system, and will travel right through our solar system. … Continue reading Mysterious Space Object Has High Chance of Harboring Alien Intelligent Life Form →

The post Mysterious Space Object Has High Chance of Harboring Alien Intelligent Life Form appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/14/mysterious-space-object-high-chance-harboring-alien-intelligent-life-form/

Ajit Pai, Donald Trump, and the Republicans Killed Net Neturality Today.

There will be consequences. Although Net Neutrality rules were eliminated a few moments ago by the Republicans, there still is a rule that ISPs need to reveal the exact ways in which they have chosen to stick it to us. We can then, with that information, stick it back to them. The best hope now … Continue reading Ajit Pai, Donald Trump, and the Republicans Killed Net Neturality Today. →

The post Ajit Pai, Donald Trump, and the Republicans Killed Net Neturality Today. appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/14/ajit-pai-donald-trump-republicans-killed-net-neturality-today/

How to share keyboard and mouse between two computers?

I use two different computers, each with a different operating system, to do my stuff. Actually, I use five, but only two where I would ideally like to switch between them while I’m using them. I’ve experimented with some solutions, so I can offer some advice. The first bit of advice is this: Maybe don’t … Continue reading How to share keyboard and mouse between two computers? →

The post How to share keyboard and mouse between two computers? appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/14/share-keyboard-mouse-two-computers/

About 30 Thousand U.S. Newborns At Risk From Fracking per Year?

A new study based in Pennsylvania measured health indicators of children born far, near, and very near, fracking sites. The study showed an effect that reached out to about 3 kilometers, but that was much stronger within about 1 kilometer, from fracking sites. The effects included lower birth weight and similar differences that are associated … Continue reading About 30 Thousand U.S. Newborns At Risk From Fracking per Year? →

The post About 30 Thousand U.S. Newborns At Risk From Fracking per Year? appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/14/30-thousand-u-s-newborns-risk-fracking-per-year/

An endorsement for Sean Casten in Illinois’ red-to-blue 6th Congressional district

Climate Hawks Vote has this press release: Climate Hawks Vote is pleased to announce its newest endorsement: Sean Casten in Illinois’ red-to-blue 6th Congressional district. Sean is running as a climate hawk scientist, cleantech entrepreneur, and job creator–and against a science-denying Republican, Peter Roskam, who calls climate change “junk science.” Sean has specialized in combined … Continue reading An endorsement for Sean Casten in Illinois’ red-to-blue 6th Congressional district →

The post An endorsement for Sean Casten in Illinois’ red-to-blue 6th Congressional district appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/13/endorsement-sean-casten-illinois-red-blue-6th-congressional-district/

The Ultimate Science Stocking Stuffer, Also Fights the Patriarchy!

From Hypatia of Alexandria to Katherine Hayhoe, women have made and continue to make important contributions to the physical sciences. Now, you can get the “Notable Women in the Physical Sciences” deck of cards to celebrate them! Here’s the deal. Many teachers use playing cards in their teaching, to employ a readily understood and recognized … Continue reading The Ultimate Science Stocking Stuffer, Also Fights the Patriarchy! →

The post The Ultimate Science Stocking Stuffer, Also Fights the Patriarchy! appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/13/ultimate-science-stocking-stuffer-also-fights-patriarchy/

Is it about power? Or is it about Reproductive Succcess?

That is the question. Probably both, but the latest powerful male stepdown argues for the latter. Check it out. Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., is the third member of Congress to announce his resignation this week, saying that he had discussed surrogacy with two female subordinates. “Given the nature of numerous allegations and reports across America … Continue reading Is it about power? Or is it about Reproductive Succcess? →

The post Is it about power? Or is it about Reproductive Succcess? appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/07/power-reproductive-succcess/

Recommended Holiday Gift Books

Brand new, clearly excellent, I’ve not finished reviewing but you need to know about them: A Different Kind of Animal: How Culture Transformed Our Species (The University Center for Human Values Series) The Quotable Darwin Modern Humans: Their African Origin and Global Dispersal Books for kids For children’s books, for kids from about zero to … Continue reading Recommended Holiday Gift Books →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/06/recommended-holiday-gift-books/

Horseshoe Crab Fossil named after Darth Vader

This is fun. From the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the press release for a recent fossil naming: A 245 million-year-old fossil horseshoe crab recently discovered in Idaho has been named Vaderlimulus because the animal’s shield head resembles the helmet worn by Darth Vader from the Star Wars film series. Paleontologists from … Continue reading Horseshoe Crab Fossil named after Darth Vader →

The post Horseshoe Crab Fossil named after Darth Vader appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/05/horseshoe-crab-fossil-named-darth-vader/

Kids coding and technology advance

Over recent months, there has been an important advance in opportunities for kids to learn to code and mess around with technology. The Scratch programming language is a project set at MIT. Scratch programming involves moving images, called blocks, from a pallet into a work area, hooking them together and maybe changing some values attached … Continue reading Kids coding and technology advance →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/05/kids-coding-technology-advance/

Better Holiday Fireplace Loops

In the old days (two years ago) there was a channel available on the Roku that would display a burning fire and play appropriate holiday music. So, people without a fireplace but who wanted one could pretend. I think there were channels like this on Cable or Satellite TV as well but I’ve not had … Continue reading Better Holiday Fireplace Loops →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/05/better-holiday-fireplace-loops/

Ed Yong’s book cheap on Kindle

Just a quick note to say that I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong is right now available in Kindle format for $1.99. Joining the ranks of popular science classics like The Botany of Desire and The Selfish Gene, a groundbreaking, wondrously informative, and vastly entertaining … Continue reading Ed Yong’s book cheap on Kindle →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/03/ed-yongs-book-cheap-kindle/

Why Neil deGrasse Tyson is Wrong about the Supermoon

I don’t know much about astronomy, but I am a scientist and I know this. One key scientific concept that is rarely grasped by non scientists but at the same time drives much of science itself is variation. Indeed, the understanding that variation is key is one of the characteristics that separates the ancients, who … Continue reading Why Neil deGrasse Tyson is Wrong about the Supermoon →

The post Why Neil deGrasse Tyson is Wrong about the Supermoon appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/03/neil-degrasse-tyson-wrong-supermoon/

Editors and Producers: How to catch Robert Mueller in the Act

Mueller knows that once the excrement hits the fan, Don the Con Trump is going to go ballistic and act do predictably unpredictable things. He may issue pardons, he may try to send his SS agents, or the Army, to bust people, he’ll certainly try to fire Mueller and his staff. Most of that is … Continue reading Editors and Producers: How to catch Robert Mueller in the Act →

The post Editors and Producers: How to catch Robert Mueller in the Act appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/02/editors-producers-catch-robert-mueller-act/

Minnesota Vikings: The Chance of Victory and the Psychology of Defeat

I had been living in Minnesota for just about a year when the Vikings played the Falcons in the playoffs that one time. I was living, as it happens, in the city of Falcon Heights. You know about Falcon Heights, very likely, even if you don’t know you do. Ever heard of the Great Minnesota … Continue reading Minnesota Vikings: The Chance of Victory and the Psychology of Defeat →

The post Minnesota Vikings: The Chance of Victory and the Psychology of Defeat appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/minnesota-vikings-chance-victory-psychology-defeat/

Official 2017 Maker Tech Gift Guide

You loved the The Official 2017 Cool Tech Gift Guide, and here is its sister-post, focused on things that are not entirely built yet, along with a few books about how to do that. Fairly recent in the tinkering world is an item that is more of a toy than a maker thing, but it … Continue reading Official 2017 Maker Tech Gift Guide →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/official-2017-maker-tech-gift-guide/

The Official 2017 Cool Tech Gift Guide

Not to be confused with the Official 2017 Maker Tech Gift Guide, to be coming out later. I’ve mixed a wide range of techno-stuff in this guide, so there is stuff that flies, stuff that cooks, and stuff that makes noise. This is your prompt. It is up to you to match and expand on … Continue reading The Official 2017 Cool Tech Gift Guide →

The post The Official 2017 Cool Tech Gift Guide appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/official-2017-cool-tech-gift-guide/

Flynn will testify that Trump directed him to contact Russians

When I suggested several months ago that a document produced by a source that I knew independently to be good strongly suggested that Donald Trump colluded with the Russians to alter the outcome of an American election, Scienceblogs shut me down, unposted the post, and made it impossible for me to access my account. I … Continue reading Flynn will testify that Trump directed him to contact Russians →

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source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/flynn-will-testify-trump-directed-contact-with-russians/

Flynn Lied to the FBI; Here is the charging document

If you lie to a US Federal agent, they can bust you, and my understanding is that judges like to sentence those convicted of this by juries to jail for long periods of time. But, if you are charged with this crime and plea guilty, so there is no jury trial, then there is room … Continue reading Flynn Lied to the FBI; Here is the charging document →

The post Flynn Lied to the FBI; Here is the charging document appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/flynn-lied-fbi-charging-document/

Give The Gift of Nostalgia and Angst

For a holiday gift this year, consider giving a book about politics, since politics this year is so very special. There are two kinds of books out this year of special interest. There is a plethora of books that expose the evil underpinnings of the white supremacist meritocratic oligarchic patriarchy. And, there is a growing … Continue reading Give The Gift of Nostalgia and Angst →

The post Give The Gift of Nostalgia and Angst appeared first on Greg Laden's Blog.

source http://gregladen.com/blog/2017/12/01/give-gift-nostalgia-angst/