I read Will’s recent post about trying to cut down on soda with no small amount of dismay. He writes: It is commonly said that soft drinks are “empty calories.” Not just devoid of nutritious content, but is also comprised… Continue Reading
Over at Big Think, David Ropeik has some ideas for increasing vaccination rates. (Via Andrew Sullivan.) — Perhaps it should be harder to opt out of vaccination. (Twenty-one states allow parents to decline vaccination of their children simply for “philosophical”… Continue Reading
for its prominent coverage of what may be one of the dumbest controversies of all time. (When I first read the news over my morning coffee, this article had one of the largest headlines on the paper of record’s main… Continue Reading
I’m going to start with the obligatory SPOILER alert here. If you haven’t seen the final Harry Potter film (or read the book), then be advised I’ll be discussing a couple of plot points. Also, a confession — I haven’t… Continue Reading
First, some background. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the causative agent for warts. All warts are caused by infection with this virus, which (common to many infectious agents) has numerous strains. Some of these strains are associated more with a… Continue Reading
A few years ago, Roberto Bolaño’s 2666 was published posthumously. It was met with riotous praise, as critic after critic waxed rhapsodic over what a masterpiece it was. Despite its incredibly dark subject matter (a thinly fictionalized take on the… Continue Reading
Jaybird brought this essay in Slate to my attention, by a mother whose child was correctly diagnosed by her Facebook. Deborah Copaken Kogan credits the social media site with saving her son’s life. I think the piece says more about… Continue Reading
Oh, frabjous day! An awards show impends!! I am a fool for awards shows, or at least the ones that pretend to reward real merit. (I don’t care what “the people” like, or what appeals to the tastes of teenagers. … Continue Reading
Jaybird has a dream. I live to serve. *If I’m going to engage in foolish joshing, I may as well resort to outright thievery.
I listen to a lot of NPR. This is largely due to an unalloyed loathing of most of the music in vogue right now, as well as the brain-melting blather sprinkled between the computer-generated “songs.” (I have also caught myself… Continue Reading