Category Archives: Social Commentary
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
Piltdown Man
Piltdown Man Skull In 1908, a worker at a gravel pit in Piltdown, England, found pieces of a skull. The discovery attracted the attention of a collector named Charles Dawson, and paleontologist Arthur Smith Woodward. These men found additional pieces … Continue reading
Beresovka Mammoth
Beresovka Mammoth The Beresovka Mammoth was found in Siberia in the early 20th Century. Its body had been relatively well preserved, frozen for about forty thousand years in the frigid tundra. There were a few mysterious facts that puzzled researchers.
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…
Hero’s Welcome
According to this article, a lifeguard was fired for saving someone’s life. Supposedly, by abandoning his post to run to the rescue of a drowning swimmer, Thomas Lopez endangered the lives of the people Lopez was supposed to be watching.
The Dangers Of Combat
A New York Times article reports that more of our soldiers are dying as a result of suicide than from enemy fire.
Cougars
From time to time, authorities in Illinois would receive a call from someone claiming to have seen a cougar. These calls were usually ignored. There were no cougars in Illinois – there were no credible reports of cougars here. That … Continue reading →