The closure of all Borders Bookstores and the liquidation of their inventory has gotten people talking about how electronic books are beginning to erode brick and mortar stores. In my own life, I have embraced a mix of electronic and paper books. I still purchase paper books and I use […]
Data is the disinfectant for myth. The Mythbusters routinely use this on their popular TV show, and scientists use it every day. I’ve tried to use a data-based approach in this blog when discussing policy matters, since I believe that data and data analysis has a central role in understanding […]
I enjoyed this quote from Matt Winkler, CEO of Asuragen and chairman of Mirna Therapeutics, regarding the recruitment of leading scientific talent to Texas. Over the last 20 years I have had the opportunity to recruit a large number of scientists to Texas . . . Not infrequently, I get […]
I was so busy this summer I forgot to shamelessly mention here that I was interviewed for a WFAA (DFW ABC affiliate) story on the importance of Helium to the nation, and the dangers of a shortage of Helium due to a lack of a national helium policy. Helium is […]
Just heard a great story on Car Talk. On the segment, “Stump the Chumps,” they revisited a caller who asked them the best way to get rid of a fly nest/hatch in his car [1]. The Car Talk guys had recommended a bug bomb. Well, after looking at all the […]
Ask and ye shall receive. As I got in the shower this morning, NPR ran an interview with NOAA meteorologist Martin Hoerling [1] [2]. The conversation was about the implications of “Snowpocalypse” vs. the current heat wave. He spoke exactly to the issue of mistaking weather for climate, and how […]
Snowpocalypse. We all remember the fun that popular media outlets like Fox News had with that one. The U.S. experienced a few weeks of anomalously cold temperatures and suddenly pundits and flapping heads were declaring the end of global warming. Yeah, that was fun. Good times. Where are the flapping […]
Texas is hot in the summer. While other parts of the U.S. have begun to see relief from the recent heat wave, Texas and the surrounding region have maintained high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Normally, at this time of year, I would be at CERN. However, due to the flooding […]
Just over a week ago, and after months of preparation and research, searching, and financial paperwork, Jodi and I moved into our home. We bought a house, and the minute we closed on the place we had family ready to help us run ethernet, paint rooms, and unpack valuables. The […]
I learned today [1] that Chris Rodda is offering her book, “Liars for Jesus”, for FREE as a downloadable electronic book. This is in response to Barton’s interview on “The Daily Show” – Rodda felt that since Stewart was so ill-equipped to hold the line against Barton’s onslaught of warped […]
I just finished watching the David Barton interview with John Stewart on Wednesday’s “The Daily Show.” [1] By part 3 of the extended interview, I had this terrible sense that John was at a disadvantage as every fact he quoted from his notes was returned to him as a “lie” […]
It’s been a week of news items on attempts to formally impose religious views in science classrooms in Texas. Primarily, the headlines have focused on new web-based materials submitted to the Stated Board of Education (SBOE) for review under the new science guidelines approved a couple of years ago. “Proposed […]