101. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #131271 by bluebird on February 22, 2008 at 6:45 am

Bellissimo!! We certainly look forward to the next two installments...

We are in the midst of a frigid/icy winter... so 'tis lovely to be an arm-chair tourist and "visit" the Galapagos, esp. with Professor Dawkin's sublime narration.

102. Whale Evolution

Comment #130935 by bluebird on February 21, 2008 at 2:06 pm

We enjoyed this PBS video, thanks!


Next Tuesday on PBS (online 27th):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/microraptor/index.html

103. Revealed: Secrets of the Camouflage Masters

Comment #130895 by bluebird on February 21, 2008 at 1:10 pm

"cuttlefish heaven", that's where our parakeets would like to hang out!

The article, video, and three-category hypothesis are all so interesting.
I forget to check the NY Times science links, so thanks for posting this.

EDIT:Rational_G, cool video.

104. Fleabytes

Comment #130518 by bluebird on February 20, 2008 at 6:50 pm

Zowie Paula... as Elinor Glyn would say, you've got "IT"!!

You're the cat's pyjamas & the bee's knees :)

105. 'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

Comment #129476 by bluebird on February 19, 2008 at 7:26 am

Wow, don't goad this toad!
Fascinating discovery from the fascinating eco-system that is Madagascar.

Recently in our area, a cousin of the chorus frog was discovered... the tiny Cajun chorus frog, pseudacris fouquettei.

Listening to a frog chorus is not only soothing, it's a sure sign of a healthy environment.

106. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #128829 by bluebird on February 18, 2008 at 3:30 am

APOD for this subject: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080218.html

107. The argument from oranges

Comment #128476 by bluebird on February 17, 2008 at 5:08 am

Somewhere a turnip truck is one vegetable short.
****

MelM mentioned TheBrickTestament;
Yea, that website caught my eye a while back (it's a hoot!). http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brick_Testament
http://www.flakmag.com/features/bricktest.html

108. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128215 by bluebird on February 16, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Tillykke med bryllupet, Veronique & Yorker.
(Congratulations!)

*************

Love the lion/lioness touch, it's purrrrfect.

109. Map reveals extent of human damage to oceans

Comment #127572 by bluebird on February 15, 2008 at 12:33 pm

octopus, thanks for the GreenPeace link. It's a good visual for the recent story: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23156399-2,00.html

110. My Saudi Valentine

Comment #126728 by bluebird on February 14, 2008 at 3:50 am

Ms. al-Sanea's article (& book) is part of a steady stream of writings from Middle-Eastern women lately. They can tell their stories, and we want to hear them. Such as the recent book by Zarah Ghahramani, and play by Heather Raffo.

Here's a photo of Ms. al-Sanea: http://www.uic.edu/depts/endo/DrAlsnea.html

111. Earliest bats did not 'see' with sound

Comment #126496 by bluebird on February 13, 2008 at 11:16 am

Very interesting discovery!! Here's a photo: http://www.au.news.yahoo.com/080213/15/15tt905/1267571074.html

Bats are so cool! Fortunately, bats are now more accepted by the public as the amazing, beneficial creatures that they are.
We thrill at the sight of bats flitting about during summer nights, amiably competing with Nighthawks for delectables.

http://www.batconservation.org/

112. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #125785 by bluebird on February 12, 2008 at 4:00 am

I've been looking forward to viewing these cards...they did not disappoint, nicely done everyone!!!


APOD for Darwin Day: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060919.html

113. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125466 by bluebird on February 11, 2008 at 12:06 pm

A wide sweep of the hat to Mr. Simonyi!!
I found this neat website per his mission as a space tourist: http://www.charlesinspace.com/

...change in PBS...NOVA show...

114. BREAK THE SCIENCE BARRIER - Available Now on DVD

Comment #125441 by bluebird on February 11, 2008 at 11:18 am

Our DVD arrived today...thanks.

EDIT:
Just watched it...great program, we liked it!!!

115. The challenge of finding peace in Lourdes

Comment #124726 by bluebird on February 10, 2008 at 6:07 am

The Song of Bernadette resonates still.

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Soubirous

116. Inventor Doesn't Dare Say 'Perpetual Motion Machine'

Comment #124366 by bluebird on February 9, 2008 at 8:08 am

clatz, that is cool!
********

Foucault pendulums are so neat... found a bevy of them via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9OS5qY0x2I

117. Why Darwin matters

Comment #124299 by bluebird on February 9, 2008 at 4:05 am

Since a copy of today's Guardian isn't to be found in our neck of the woods, this is the next best thing: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/darwinbicentenary

It has a link to a printable version of "Why Darwin Matters".

118. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #123092 by bluebird on February 6, 2008 at 12:55 pm

I've seen this video (or something very similar) recently. Ugh, time to swig another dose of Pepto Bismol.

119. Admitting that you have no religion is not politically correct

Comment #121981 by bluebird on February 4, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Well pluck my feathers, this is absurd!

PZ's colorful repartee made me smile, tho.

120. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121826 by bluebird on February 4, 2008 at 7:58 am

We'd probably attend a Darwin Day Festival, to check it out. Wish we could visit this one... Broward County has NASA, and Fern Forest.

121. Some non-Christians feel left out of election

Comment #121598 by bluebird on February 3, 2008 at 7:10 pm

We are a "Super-Tuesday" state; I predict Obama will win our state (MO) and most others.

Time Magazine article from last July 'How the Democrats got Religion'(they want to level the praying field):
http://www.time.com/politics/article/0,8599,1642649,00.html

122. God the psycho

Comment #121263 by bluebird on February 3, 2008 at 6:19 am

Pat Condell serves another piquant morsel!!

123. God-Man and Human-Man Team Up

Comment #121239 by bluebird on February 3, 2008 at 5:55 am

Nice chuckle for this Sunday morning!

124. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #118835 by bluebird on January 31, 2008 at 3:49 am

Tillykke med fodselsdagen, Josh, and thank you for this site.

125. The Science behind the Large Hadron Collider

Comment #117531 by bluebird on January 29, 2008 at 4:09 am

Cartomancer, Missouri is riddled with caves, which are (thankfully) protected from human intrusion http://www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2000/03/30.htm

However, those priests could try to rent Meramec Cave, I suppose ;) http://www.americascave.com/

126. Loneliness Breeds Belief in Supernatural

Comment #116294 by bluebird on January 26, 2008 at 7:47 am

AfraidToDie, I love your avatar, magnificant animals.

It brings to mind the movie "Curse of the Cat People", the classic ethereal drama that is mostly Val Lewton's psychological study of a little girl's creation of an imaginary friend.

127. Loneliness Breeds Belief in Supernatural

Comment #116278 by bluebird on January 26, 2008 at 6:12 am

nunquam, our younger son had strong empathetic feelings towards Tom Hank's character when he lost "Wilson".

Paula, here in the U.S. there are programs that allow dog owners to take their dog to Nursing Homes; the idea being it gives much needed emotional & physical contact to the residents. Is there something similar in the U.K.?

128. Darwin Day (Feb 12th) E-Cards

Comment #116052 by bluebird on January 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Boreas, thanks for that link! The Edge looks to be a great comprehensive site; the ZSL looks great, too.(http://www.zsl.org/)
*******

This seems to be a good place to post a recent article about the evolution of Australian skinks:
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pr/skinks_pr.html

129. Life-Forming Chemicals Found in Distant Galaxy

Comment #114856 by bluebird on January 23, 2008 at 4:04 am

Another very interesting space article! I had heard rumblings a while back that Arecibo was facing a budget crunch; ideas are being considered as to how to fund Arecibo and keep it going:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090801654.html?vav=rss_nation

Arp 220, a cosmic pas de deux: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap970617.html

Rational_G & mesomodel, thanks for those links.
***********
All this astronomy news makes my day!

130. Darwin Day (Feb 12th) E-Cards

Comment #114357 by bluebird on January 22, 2008 at 4:00 am

rejohnsonil, aye, 'tis a seaworthy quip/idea :)

131. Stop revisionist Christian nation House Resolution 888

Comment #114277 by bluebird on January 21, 2008 at 6:01 pm

This proposed 'American Religious History Week' (May) would coincide with 'National Day of Prayer'(first Thursday in May):
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070420-4.html

Thankfully, there's a National Day of Reason:
http://www.mnatheists.org/page23/page23.shtml

132. How Evolution REALLY Works

Comment #113388 by bluebird on January 19, 2008 at 1:26 pm

tangerine_tree, thanks for the reminder about Sir D.A.'s new show! Alas, us U.S. folk will probably have to wait for it to air later, or rent the DVD. Our family has enjoyed a lot of BBC productions lately.

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_in_Cold_Blood

133. Interview with Neil Shubin, author of 'Your Inner Fish'

Comment #113260 by bluebird on January 19, 2008 at 5:59 am

Youtube link for Shubin interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3e2sdY_XnE

Mr. Shubin is very affable. He seems to be a great spokesperson for science.

Colbert asking if we can "go back" to being fish reminds me of the Star Trek episode 'Genesis'.

134. Gigantic fossil rodent discovered

Comment #112757 by bluebird on January 18, 2008 at 3:51 am

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck......

Punxsutawney Phil is jealous.

135. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #112497 by bluebird on January 17, 2008 at 10:44 am

Received the DVD today; thanks!!!

136. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #111955 by bluebird on January 16, 2008 at 4:19 am

notsobad, thanks for that link; now we're updated on that story.

137. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111759 by bluebird on January 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm

Hello Mr. Scales!
I send warm greetings from the chilly Mid-West U.S.!
Please accept my gratitude for your support of Professor Dawkin's site. My family & I benefit in so many ways with each visit here.

There was a red sunrise this morning, and it shall snow soon. Daffidols and crocus will slumber under the white blanket, patiently waiting for warm Spring days to rouse them, which is just around the corner!!

Congratulations on your C.de G., and I wish you fair winds.

138. 'Letter to a Christian Nation' now available in paperback

Comment #111733 by bluebird on January 15, 2008 at 3:36 pm

An interesting snippet:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1702365,oo.html

139. Carl Sagan's COSMOS begins airing on Jan 8th

Comment #111730 by bluebird on January 15, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Recently the space craft/probe 'Messenger' arrived at Mercury:
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Update_MESSENGER_Races_Past_Mercury_12806.html

I always lament the fact that Carl is not here to witness and revel in each new wonderful discovery.

140. Fish out of water: Your Inner Fish

Comment #111248 by bluebird on January 14, 2008 at 6:33 am

steveroot, cool article, thanks for sharing!



Last time we visited Windy City, we couldn't visit the Field Museum. We did tour the Shedd Aquarium; it was great!!

http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

141. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111141 by bluebird on January 13, 2008 at 6:15 pm

"Money is the world's curse" ---
"May the Lord smite me with it. And may I never recover"

142. Richard Dawkins on The Late Edition with Marcus Brigstocke

Comment #109951 by bluebird on January 10, 2008 at 6:29 am

Rob A, thanks for the YouTube link!



If the timing/circumstances were different, it would be neat to see Professor Dawkins on the Johnny Carson Show.

143. Did mozzies, not a meteor, do for the dinosaurs?

Comment #109635 by bluebird on January 9, 2008 at 10:28 am

...cities filled with pigeons, rats, cockroaches, predatory birds...

144. Hook, line and rapture

Comment #109144 by bluebird on January 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Pat Condell, where have you been all my life?!!?


A delicious nugget of satire that brightened my afternoon... thanks for posting this!

145. Did mozzies, not a meteor, do for the dinosaurs?

Comment #108629 by bluebird on January 7, 2008 at 11:14 am

insects preserved in amber

146. The battle of the butterflies and the ants

Comment #108372 by bluebird on January 6, 2008 at 3:08 pm

'Life in the Undergrowth' by Sir D.A. is great!

We also enjoyed/recommend 'Microcosmos':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76R2EKEnoJQ

147. The OUT Campaign has its own Flea!

Comment #107447 by bluebird on January 4, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Linda_K, you're correct, the 'C' does resemble Chick-fil-A's logo!!

This chain is owned by a devout Baptist family, and are closed on Sundays:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

148. Mother Nature is Not Our Friend

Comment #105750 by bluebird on January 1, 2008 at 6:53 pm

my musical ability resembles that of a...Bach

149. A War On Science

Comment #105383 by bluebird on December 31, 2007 at 11:57 am

Article about the current director of the Vatican Observatory:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0604813.htm

150. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104254 by bluebird on December 28, 2007 at 8:05 am

Preach-ers wobble, but they won't fall down...
Ones from the past survived scandal; interesting to see how this current crop squirms under the spotlight.

Joyce Meyer is a smart/successful cookie who plays the game well:

http://joycemeyer.org/AboutUs/FinancialAccountability/