Category Archives: Social Commentary
Disagreement Is Not Bigotry
Some years ago, a woman asked me whether I was in favor of gay marriage. I said that I was not. This led to her becoming angry with me over my obvious homophobia and bigotry. Clearly I gave the wrong … Continue reading
The Sphinx
The Sphinx Until recently, the Sphinx wasn’t considered much of a mystery. There it sat, right by the Great Pyramid, a large but ordinary-looking sculpture located close to one of the most mysterious structures ever built. Sure, the Sphinx might … Continue reading
Ten Percent
Over the years, I’ve been told over and over again that we only use 10% of our brains – and how wonderful it would be if we could learn to use the other 90%. Sometimes the numbers vary – down … Continue reading
I Don’t Know
“I don’t know.” Three of the hardest words to say – except maybe for: EyjafjallajökullpneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosisLlanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch Many of us – probably most of us – seem to approach admitting ignorance with the same enthusiasm we approach a root canal. It is … Continue reading
Cold Fusion
In 1989, chemists Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann reported that they had achieved cold fusion. “Cold fusion” refers to a type of nuclear reaction that takes place at temperatures far below the several million degrees that are usually required for … Continue reading
The Great Pyramid
Pyramids – What were we thinking? The pyramids of Egypt – and in particular, the Great Pyramid of Giza – are among the most puzzling and contentious productions of human endeavor. In fact, one argument is whether the pyramids were … Continue reading
How Do You Know?
Most of us admit that we don’t know everything. However, we usually feel certain about some of our facts. We may think they’re obviously true, or that they’re so certain that everyone accepts them. I want to challenge this assumption.
Roach Eating Contest
Man dies after winning roach-eating contest in Broward : The contest was to win a python from a pet store. You know, it’s one thing to drop dead after running a marathon. Even if you didn’t finish, if you got … Continue reading
He Never Said It
This is probably one of the least urgent matters that still manages to trouble me…
Generational Hostility
There are a lot of snide comments about people who, because of their age, don’t know things, or can’t do things. Older people natter on about “kids these days,” while younger people often dismiss elders as being technologically clueless. It’s … Continue reading →