To Be, Or Not To Be, Danish: Was Hamlet Irish?

To Be, Or Not To Be, Danish: Was Hamlet Irish?

Hamlet, the lead character in one Shakespeare's best plays, was a Danish prince - but he may actually have been Irish, according to a piece in the Review of English Studies.   Though this be…
How Humans Can Affect Nature

How Humans Can Affect Nature

Some people accept that the world's climate systems are changing, but try to argue that humans are too puny to be any part of the cause. The reason for putting forward such an argument in the face of…
In Romance, Too Many Choices May Hurt

In Romance, Too Many Choices May Hurt

In New York City, you can easily date a different person within a mile of your home for the rest of your life and never come close to duplicating - and that may be why people in New York City have…
Why Have All The Ghosts Invaded Britain?

Why Have All The Ghosts Invaded Britain?

One time on a dreary (particularly dreary- 300 of them a year are rather so) Seattle afternoon I was approached by a hobo(1) so I gave him some money and asked him, since he clearly had no place…
My Favourite Geological Photo - AW #32

My Favourite Geological Photo - AW #32

The theme of the latest Accretionary Wedge (a carnival of geoblogs) is “Throw me your ‘favorite geologic picture’ mister”, so here is mine: Despite my relatively short career as a geologist, it was a…
Senators, Please Do Not Cut Science Research

Senators, Please Do Not Cut Science Research

I just became aware of a letter that is being sent to a couple of US Senators by a large and illustrious collection of scientists, and I decided to put my signature below it. The letter is clear and…
Sperm Injections, Anyone?

Sperm Injections, Anyone?

Squid sex is both discreet and discrete. Discreet, because usually the sexual organs remain hidden. The only visible activity looks more like a handshake than like intercourse, as the male uses one…