worldsfair

Well, it looks like units of our Psyche Strainers are shipping robustly. So much so, that we are perhaps close to thinking about bankrolling a possible movie venture. In this respect, we're thinking specifically of adapting a screenplay from a previous SCQ piece called "WHO IS THE GREATEST…

Well, this is just a heads up to let you know that the SCQ is preparing to start its year two. For a while, we've only been presenting academic review type pieces, which, to be frank, has just not been good for traffic and the like (what do you think that says about readership?). And so, on…

Monday Night FootTESTIS Hootie and the FUGU RUBRIPES Winnie the FECES MASTICATEbacca the Wookie Tchaikovsky's BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA-cracker Suite I can't believe it's not TWO BUTTOCKS AND AN ANUSer Joani PRODUCES OXYTOCIN FOR Chachi Bye bye Miss American CIRCUMFERENCE DIVIDED BY THE DIAMETER…

Specifically, he said: Well, I think if you're going to focus on the similarities of your three examples, it's almost as if an inherant goofiness is key for the spreading phenomenon. Mel Gibson drunk? That's goofy. Zidane with the headbutt? Also goofy. Maybe that's why something like 0.7% won't…

I felt bad not putting up the answer to the Puzzle Fantastica in the previous post, so to compensate, I'm prepared to give out the answer to a previous question I had concerning a mysterious looking contraption. In fact, here it is at this link specifically, and as well, it pertains to this…

...will be released on September 5th, 2006 (we forgot to mention that last time)

Two things seem to be front and centre lately on the media circuits, one of which being the HIV/AIDS conference, and the other (in direct contrast) is the release of "Snakes on a Plane." Both have a viral connotation, whereby HIV is suitably obvious, and the movie has more to do with information…

(This is an oldish attempt at the "Speaks to a Geneticist" series, but was never sure if it was on or not) - - - BONO: Why am I so weary? GENETICIST: From a genetic point of view, I would say that your weariness is a reflection of your metabolism. That is, your ability to pull energy from the food…

This is not a clue. More a hint, mostly. For any newbies, here are the past posts on the PF: Most recent (and most impressive; a compilation of sorts) Before that, Update #B (on evidence) Before that, whence we provided the final clue Before that, the 4th clue Before that, Update #A And the…

A list that first appeared here. I'm interested in hearing out other contributions. Banjo On My Knee Bleeding Heart Foot In Mouth Dick Head Shit for Brains Get this Monkey off my Back He's a Leg Man Space Between The Ears Baby Snacks White Meat Only Biggest Asshole

Timing is everything. That (I'm pretty sure) was the case of my first piece getting into Maisonneuve. And again, it is something that comes up with consistent frequency in my quest to publish. For instance, my gnome piece (shouldn't everyone have a gnome piece?), is another example of this notion,…

In lieu of the conference coming up, here are some choice readings that I've had the pleasure of presenting at either terry.ubc.ca or the SCQ: HIV/AIDS F.A.Q. (RIVERS-BOWERMAN REMIX) by Mike Rivers-Bowerman AN ANNOTATED TERRY ENTRY ABOUT THE OSCARS by Jessica Klug, Jessica Olsen, Shagufta Pasta,…

This has to be one of my favourites, written pretty much the day after I listened to Stephen Lewis talk. Anyway, it also ties in with the start of the International AIDS Conference this Sunday. I'm hoping our Canadian government has some choice announcements to make at the beginning, but I guess…

Mr. Vonnegut has quite the extensive collection of silkcreens you can purchase at his website, and even includes a genetically flavoured piece, called "One-Liner #3 Genome" As well, here's an interesting one called "Intelligent Design," which I don't get - although maybe that is the whole point?

(previous Stuff I've Been Reading) Books Read: "The Thinking Fan's Guide to the World Cup" by Various (finished) "The Educated Imagination" by Northrop Frye (finished) "A Man Without a Country" by Kurt Vonnegut (finished) "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris (finished) "thinking with type" by…

Since we were on the topic of replication yesterday, here is a gem of a personal ad I found several years back. For the record, it should be pretty clear that the ad was not composed by me. Anyway, this often gets used as a slide before discussion related to either replication or PCR (polymerase…

So I'm in the midst of trying to write a book, with a genetics theme and all. And so far, things look pretty good. I'm having fun anyway. But this is not what this post is about. This post is actually about a previous attempt to write a book, which was tentatively entitled "Towards Hannah: an…

Natural disasters figure prominently for both. Neither necessarily follows international conventions. In their own ways - doing their part to increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. When they speak, it's kind of surreal. I gather, both on the same page with this stem cell business.…

Example 1: It was difficult to get motivated knowing that both Season 9 of Friends and Season 4 of Felicity came out on DVD at the same time. This particular excuse would be completely ineffective. The review panel would need to be told that Season 9 of Friends is where Joey and Rachel almost get…

I gave a talk to some folks at UBC's School of Music this past weekend, on biology, genetics and the odd reference to music. One of things I mentioned (with an auditary theme) was the interesting case of the use of Nude mice as vectors for the production of human ears (image below). I usually…

Scienceblogger question is asking the following: What movie do you think does something admirable (though not necessarily accurate) regarding science? Bonus points for answering whether the chosen movie is any good generally.... I'm surprised no one has mentioned Star Wars yet, so I'm going to pipe…

Man, talk about creativity - I got this from inkycircus (Hi Anne). Truth is, I can't really say more than what the title gives away. The good stuff starts about 3 and a half minutes in. - - - (PAUL BERG) PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: AN EPIC ON THE CELLULAR LEVEL - 1971 Alright, any of you readers in this…

So, a while back I did my yearly pilgrimage to my wife's grade one class, where I did my usual liquid nitrogen thing (freeze stuff, smash it, make ice cream, scare young kids with overly large safety goggles, etc), and as usual I was open to all manner of questions in my role as a scientist type (…

I just read Ben's post on an article recently published at the Columbia Journalism Review, and also agree at the neatness of the quote as highlighted in the title of this post. It just brought me to mind of like minded graphic I saw during a presentation by David Orr, whilst he was here at UBC in…

Well, I have to say that this radiohead fellow has me quite impressed. Not only did his band, Radiohead, at one point, propel a song about human cloning to the #1 Billboard Chart spot (no mean feat), but now, he's bringing his eerily and hauntingly beautiful musical prowess to the debate…

I quite enjoyed this Shouts and Murmurs piece by Paul Rudnick. Wish I thought of it first. RYAN: And I think it looks great. Now, what about global warming? RANDY: Yo, dawg, when you say "global warming" do you mean, like, sitting by the fire with your lady and getting down to a spicy slow jam by…

Lake Louise Well, it's nice to be back from our little Canadian Rockies roadtrip, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the relative ease of having two young kids stuck in the back of our minivan for hours on end. It's actually been a while since we've ventured on a "real" trip, having…

Cognitive Daily (link) A GAME THEORETIC APPROACH TO THE TOILET SEAT PROBLEM The toilet seat problem has been the subject of much controversey. In this paper we consider a simplified model of the toilet seat problem. We shall show that for this model there is an inherent conflict of interest which…

Evolgen (link) THE ETHICS OF CLONING: A DEBATE BETWEEN ME AND MY TWIN BROTHER MODERATOR: Tonight's debate is on a topic meriting serious discussion: the ethics of cloning. Our participants are two outspoken proponents of opposing positions. Because it is a question for all of society, we have…

Living the Scientific Life (link) PHOTO OF A NICE SET OF BOOBIES WE SAW AT THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Photography piece... The Island of Doubt (link) ON THE ORIGIN, NAMING AND USES OF SEA HOLLY During Atlantis' eighth invasion, When that island nation had exhausted Its supply of metal, the…