Humor

Bay Area comedian Brian Malow has entertained both science-literate and lay audiences for more than a decade with science-centric stand-up humor in his show, "Rational comedy for an irrational planet," according to a San Francisco Chronicle article. Fortunately, club patrons can check their coats and Ph.D.s at the door - a degree in quantum mechanics won't be required to appreciate the sublime humor of one of the country's few professional stand-up science comedians. Malow's science-infused one-liners can be enjoyed by any audience, with gems like: "I used to be an astronomer, but I…

Or just try to change the law: There's the famous false story of the state that tried to redefine the fundamental mathematical constant pi to 3, but of course no one would ever be that stupid. Though, in Indiana in 1897, they tried to pass a law setting it at 3.2, which is only 0.2 less retarded. Check out 7 (Stupid) People Who Sued the Scientific Method over at Cracked.

There was a big development in science this year, yet most people missed it.   It wasn't induced pluripotent stem cells or global warming or Barack Obama securing 99% of the scientist vote despite his belief that vaccines cause autism, which caused even heterosexual scientists to disregard Jenny McCarthy.  No, it was an alarming decrease in available clichés to describe what scientists think about new discoveries. So instead of just doing yet another list of 'top' science stories, all of which would have to magically be from this very  site, like every other science publication…

Even on this side of the Atlantic, we have noticed: Burris, standing at the governor’s side, said he’s eager to get to work in Washington “to face a convergence of parallel crises.”  One’s first thought is that either in Chigaco or Washington the geometry is of Riemann’s elliptic variety.  But it then struck me, that the word “parallel” has long taken on the meaning “simultaneous” as in multi-tasking or even parallel processing.  Another case where mathematical and scientific usage run counter to (or even athwart – lovely old Anglo Saxon word) common usage.

What happened to tolerance and diversity?   The Raelian movement, a UFO religion who believe we were  created by aliens, were going to promote world peace by having tons and tons of sex but they had to cancel it due to pressure.  I mean literally tons of sex; they said they had 250 participants.   And the people who show up for orgies like that are not exactly going to be supermodels, if you know what I mean.  So, if you were planning on attending International Orgasm Day in Tel Aviv this year, you need to make other plans. To the anonymous prankster who sent me the…

It must be December.  Those cheeky pranksters at BMJ are at it again, this time releasing an authentic-looking study that says head banging is bad for your head.   Let's see how many media publications that basically print news releases without bothering to read them get suckered again (we mean you, BBC). **** Head banging increases the risk of head and neck injury, but the effects may be lessened with reduced head and neck motion, head banging to lower tempo songs or to every second beat, and using protective equipment such as neck braces, finds a study in the Christmas issue…

"Ted" calls his nameService is his fameTurner turned World NewsInto a 24-7 game! As the world turnsSo Ted's passion burnsHumanity loves him suchHis charity widely churns. Ted must love hilarityColor B&W to clarityWhy to fuss hereOver a man o'Rarity? In fields of snowTed's buffalo herds knowFree to roam largeWhile praising Turner's bow. Since first, Fine ScientistSaid Ted's the greatest"Man with a heart"Helped humanity the Bravest. Seventy is a perfectionArrives at Ted's station2008's only a warm-upFor 150's in transaction. Look people, in deedCount bead by beadSee any man greaterTo love…

Chocolate toffee came to America from England in the 1920s with Heath, Hammond, and Jane Royce who made the treat from an old family recipe for family and friends. When her time came, Jane took the highly coveted recipe with her to her grave, and that would have been the end of the story had it not been for her daughter Betty Burns who became determined to revive the tradition and her great-granddaughter, Stephanie Rush, who decided to share the treat, though not the recipe, with the rest of us with the online and wholesale business Rushburn Toffee Company. Betty Royce grew up in St. Joseph…

From Esquire magazine, 1949: "A word to the wives is sufficient.  And the word is NO.  When you have serious shopping to do, leave the pretty things at home.  They can call in a few harpies from the neighborhood, set up a Kaffee-klatsch, tear a few reputations to ribbons, and be as happy as birds." Now, this is not a Sciencetatorship, you are welcome to go ahead and use these sentiments despite me cautioning against it, but be forewarned that this was meant to be funny even in 1949.  And it's still funny.   But in 1949 they didn't have No Fault divorce laws and…

Sci-fi movies are always pushing the limits for the viewer's pleasure, and even if the science may not always be one hundred correct, I find them the most interesting and entertaining to watch.  As a goof before the Thanksgiving holidays, I want to say thank you to the masterminds behind my absolute favorite science fiction movies and feel free to comment with your opinions and your favorites as well, happy readings! 10. The Red Planet 2000The loving robotic helper turn evil really sparked my attention to this film. 9.  Mission to Mars 2000As the first manned mission to Mars…