Random Thoughts

Governments of developing countries have done a fantastic job managing international aid money. Today, 44% of international health aid money cannot be traced in the budgets of the receiving countries. While many assume that the money disappears into somebody's pockets, it is unclear when nor on what it has been spent. A recent study in The Lancet suggests that for every dollar of international health aid provided to governments, on average government health funding falls by $0.43–1.14. Since such findings could persuade people that aid money should not be dispersed through governments at all…

A recent LiveScience article entitled "Ancestry Search Can Annoy Living Relatives" expressed the point that all the interest displayed in researching one's family tree could annoy relatives.  Personally I thought the use of the word "living" was a bit redundant in the title, but presumably it makes the point. Of course, another obvious point in this study is that almost anything can be made to annoy relatives if it involves something no one wants to discuss.  So, it seems pretty clear that if your family history hasn't been openly discussed, it isn't likely that it's because no one…

By now everyone has seen the video.  Here are some physical facts that one should consider.  These facts do not support the position of the military and many apologist.  It is said by apologist that these crewmen on the AH-64's were looking at and over a "hotbed of insurgency". A place where insurgents and danger lurked around every corner and were on edge.  I don't disagree that in their minds it could have been just that.  However some figures evident from the video  If the place they were over was such a hotbed for insurgents why were they so…

A comprehensive review of national opinion polls taken before and after Congressional voting and when President Obama signed into law a major healthcare reform bill last month has found that the law's signing did not change Americans' opinions of the legislation. The analysis of 33 independent opinion polls revealed that partisan disagreements over the reforms are stark. These political differences have implications for the implementation of the legislation and for the 2010 Congressional elections as many potential voters want the law to be scaled back while many others want the law changed…

"I love cake.  Cake is wonderful.  But it is too easy to get caught up in the idea of cake.  When you compare the data, it is clear that pie is a better choice. " And so Hyperbole and a Half launches into a hilarious scientific analysis of this deeply important issue. A parody of a powerpoint presentation proves the superiority of pie versus cake. I found it about a week ago and forgot to post it, but as it made me smile on second reading I hope others will appreciate the insanity. And who said science writing was in peril?

Between hooking up and traditional dating, more women than men prefer dating whereas more men rate hooking up above dating, according to a new survey of college students at a midsized southeastern university. Both genders, however, perceive similar benefits and risks to dating and hooking up. Women fear, both in dating and hooking up, that they will become emotionally attached to a partner who is not interested in them. Men more than women seem to value independence. They fear that even in hooking up relationships, which are supposed to be free of commitments, a woman might seek to establish…

The Unscientists 2010 awards Shamelessly stealing the Festival Of Idiots central theme and with no proper credit given to its originator, The Rugbyologist, the Chatter Box proudly announces The Unscientists 2010 Awards. The rules, hereinafter known as 'the rules': Now be it known that: Whereas this award, hereinafter known as 'the award' has been announced and, Whereas awards should be given only to the most deserving persons or groups: Therefore be it enacted by my awesome powers as a scientific blogger that: By these rules shall ye nominate candidates, and by none other: Whereas any…

Here is an amusing quote from novelist Philip Pullman. At the 2010 Oxford Literature Festival, on the early afternoon of Palm Sunday, March 28th, in Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre, Philip Pullman gave a talk on his book "The Good Man Jesus and The Scoundrel Christ". The last Questioner of the session quietly asked (paraphrased) : "To call the son of god a scoundrel is an awful&offensive thing to say" To which, the author calmly replied : "Yes it was a shocking thing to say, and I knew it was a shocking thing to say.But no one has the right to live without being shocked.No one has the right…

Web sites that foster online communication and interaction are not merely vapid echo chambers of self-promotion, according to a new study in American Behavioral Scientist. In fact, just the opposite is true. Interactions on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites positively impact real-life and the intersection between online communication and the offline world forms two halves of a support mechanism for local communities. Previously, most attention was paid to highly virtual, online-only experiences. But as information and communication technologies have become increasingly…

You probably think that because I started a hybrid social media/science media darling like Scientific Blogging, adored by many, I must know a lot of people.   Just the opposite is true.  I know shockingly few, so I never have those awkward moments where I get a phone call and someone says "It's me" and I have to stall and keep them talking long enough to figure out who they are.  Because no one has my phone number and the few who do are more surprised if I answer. I am going to recognize the voices of anyone who has it. So I don't get phone calls but occasionally I get gifts…