Monthly Archives: March 2006

Thinking like a pro-lifer, take three

Posted on 3/13/2006 by dave

First, I just wanted to let readers know that the comments threads are still quite active in two of my posts on the pro-life movement (here and here — I really need to get a “recent comments” plugin set up … Continue reading →

Posted in Contraception and abortion | 12 Comments

A moment for self-promotion

Posted on 3/13/2006 by dave

I have an article up on seedmagazine.com about when scientists take their results directly to the mainstream press, without submitting them to peer review first. Here’s a snippet: Given the recent hot news about fraudulent stem cell research in South … Continue reading →

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The truth, revealed

Posted on 3/12/2006 by dave

You Are Barney You could have been an intellectual leader… Instead, your whole life is an homage to beer You will be remembered for: your beautiful singing voice and your burps Your life philosophy: “There’s nothing like beer to give … Continue reading →

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Freakonomics on child car seats

Posted on 3/12/2006 by dave

In North Carolina, children up to 8 years of age and weighing up 80 pounds are now required to be in car seats or booster seats. For those of you without children who are wondering how big an 80-pound kid … Continue reading →

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NCAA Tournament time!

Posted on 3/10/2006 by dave

For those of you who, like me, are addicted to engaging in a useless bragging-rights competition in which pseudo-students compete for the right to be used as pawns in the corporate mega-marketing enterprise, you’ll be glad to know that it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Picking essays for freshmen

Posted on 3/10/2006 by dave

Anne Fernald has a great post on the process of selecting essays for a college reader. It’s something I have a little experience with myself, but Anne writes brilliantly about the process. I also recall another emotion in this process: … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Remember the Holocaust

Posted on 3/9/2006 by dave

Though we may disagree on free speech, Orac has been a great supporter of the Holocaust History Project. I would be remiss if I didn’t join others in condemning the attacks on the HHP’s headquarters, and encouraging still more people … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

All I’m good for this morning: Another meme

Posted on 3/9/2006 by dave

Got this from Bad Example. 1) Two favorite colors. Green Brick red (but not together — too christmasy) 2) Two least favorite colors. Pale blue Pale pink (especially on babies) 3) Favorite fast food restaurant. Taco Time. I wish they … Continue reading →

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New category: Contraception and Abortion

Posted on 3/8/2006 by dave

I’ve found myself writing more and more about the issues of contraception and abortion, so I figured I may as well start a new category. I’ve even gone back and relabeled my old posts on the topic, so if you … Continue reading →

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Back on the pro-life movement: a review of a review

Posted on 3/8/2006 by dave

So Mollie Ziegler of the New York Sun has reviewed How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America, which I also reviewed last week. Let’s take it paragraph by paragraph: NARAL Pro-Choice New York’s Cristina Page writes a book that fails to … Continue reading →

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Sick of abortion? Here’s a meme!

Posted on 3/7/2006 by dave

Got this from Doug Hoffman 9 lasts: last cigarette: With my stepsister, in the second grade. Took one puff, my one and only, ever. last beverage: I’m alternating right now between water and half-caf Last alcoholic beverage: Yellowtail Shiraz last … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Thinking like a pro-lifer, take two

Posted on 3/7/2006 by dave

I’m having quite a debate with “Deep Thought” in the comments about some of the finer points of abortion. I don’t want to pick on Deep Thought in particular, but I have noticed a few things. Pro-lifers like to think … Continue reading →

Posted in Contraception and abortion | 14 Comments

“The Weather Makers” by Tim Flannery

Posted on 3/7/2006 by dave

My review of The Weather Makers is now up on The Quarterly Conversation. This is the book that many are calling The Silent Spring of our generation. I’m not sure I’d go that far — it doesn’t really offer the … Continue reading →

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Product placement and posterity

Posted on 3/6/2006 by dave

Donald Pittenger has an interesting post about product placement and novels. He points out that though many films these days include product placements, your better novels typically do not. Novels, he argues, are written for posterity, and including references to … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Trying to think like a pro-lifer

Posted on 3/3/2006 by dave

I’ve just been reading through the comments on this post. Clearly there are lots of people who believe abortion is murder. How can it not be, one commenter asks, if you’re destroying a person with brainwaves and a beating heart? … Continue reading →

Posted in Contraception and abortion | 38 Comments

Does watching the movie help predict the oscar winners?

Posted on 3/3/2006 by dave

Over at Cognitive Daily, we’re doing a little survey to help answer the question that’s vexing America: will you do better in your office pool if you’ve actually seen the films nominated for Oscars? Link Take the survey!

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Interesting theory about women in science

Posted on 3/3/2006 by dave

I’m not sure I buy this, but it’s an entertaining read about why there aren’t more women in science. Ten-cent summary: if you’re that smart, you can easily get a better job. It would certainly explain why so many bloggers … Continue reading →

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I just read a very depressing book

Posted on 3/2/2006 by dave

I’ve argued for a long time on Word Munger that the “pro-life” movement is really an anti-sex movement. I think most Americans realize that the anti-abortion aspect of the “pro-life” campaign isn’t so much about preserving life as it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Contraception and abortion | 8 Comments