In the Saturday Q&A (Z) was asked about presidents who might have been “great” but blew it, the example the questioner gave being Junior Bush who was given an opportunity after the 9/11 attacks to truly unite not only the nation but the world, but he squandered it. (Z) answers: I suppose you can argue … Continue reading Short Takes for Sep 6, 2026
Science
Superman
My image of Superman was formed during the years 1957 to 1962 when I was reading the various comic books in which he appeared: Action Comics, Superman, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Adventure, Superboy (those last two were the adventures of Superman when he was a boy) plus World’s Finest, where he teamed up with Batman, … Continue reading Superman
The Colorado Survey
Quote of the day: Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.—Groucho Marx I’ve mentioned several times that in high school and for a few years thereafter I considered myself a Republican, though by the time I came of voting age, which was 21 … Continue reading The Colorado Survey
People Don’t Click on Links
Quote of the day: There's an old saying, “Life begins at forty.” That's silly. Life begins every morning you wake up.—George Burns I learned a long time ago that people generally don’t click on links. Years ago I was trying to promote one of my videos, so I asked someone who had tens of thousands … Continue reading People Don’t Click on Links
Dr. Kenneth Miller
Quote of the day: It's astonishing in this world how things don't turn out at all the way you expect them to.—Agatha Christie Dr. Kenneth Miller is that rarity, a scientist who is also a devout Catholic. I actually started to write “practicing Catholic” but I think he’s past the practice stage. Anyway, I … Continue reading Dr. Kenneth Miller
The Feeling of Power
Quote of the day: I am prejudiced against religion because I know the history of religion, and it is the history of human misery and of black crimes.—Isaac Asimov According to an article in Time Magazine, a new study suggests that using AI made doctors less skilled at spotting cancer. Huh. Why the hell were … Continue reading The Feeling of Power
Medical Science and Religion
Quote of the day: Religion is based...mainly upon fear...fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand. My own view on religion is that of Lucretius. I regard it as a disease born … Continue reading Medical Science and Religion
Final Jeopardy
Quote of the day: When stupidity is considered patriotism, it is unsafe to be intelligent.—Isaac Asimov I stopped watching the game show Jeopardy! years ago because it was no longer fun, at least for me. The contestants had become much too invested in winning at any cost rather than just having fun playing the game and … Continue reading Final Jeopardy
Why Facts Don’t Change Minds
Keith M. Bellizzi, Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences, has an article on why it can be so difficult to change people’s minds by pointing out the facts. It’s worth reading the whole thing, but here are a few excerpts. Your worldview, including beliefs and opinions, starts to form during childhood as you’re socialized … Continue reading Why Facts Don’t Change Minds
The Secret to Anti-Gravity!
In his science column for Galaxy Willy Ley used to answer readers’ questions. In September 1952 a reader from Brighton, England, wanted to know a little bit more about gravity, and Ley obliged him. In a forthcoming issue, will you please discuss the force of gravity a little? Many science fiction stories seem to take … Continue reading The Secret to Anti-Gravity!