Author Archives: kirkmike157

17 Questions About Glyphosate

Posted on December 9, 2019

Originally posted on Thoughtscapism:
Many worry about pesticides for health or environmental reasons, and the most common target of general concern is undoubtedly glyphosate, the active ingredient in the famous weedkiller RoundUp. I find that the best thing to do when something worries me,…

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Putin’s Poisons

Posted on January 11, 2019

Vladimir Putin is the current totalitarian ruler of Russia, which isn’t in itself an historically surprising circumstance. From the Tsars to the Bolsheviks and on through the present, a single despotic person has generally ruled over Russia, and frequently over … Continue reading →

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New paper provides no evidence that polar bears ate whale carcasses to survive Eemian interglacial

Posted on November 26, 2018

Originally posted on polarbearscience:
Contrary to what the misleading press release implies, an entirely speculative new paper by polar bear specialists Kristin Laidre and Ian Stirling (among others) presents zero evidence that polar bear consumed whale carcasses during the last…

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Saturated Fatty Acids

Posted on October 5, 2018

Originally posted on Chemtymology:
Before chemists had a detailed understanding of molecular structure, newly discovered chemicals were named on the whims of the discoverers. By the end of the 19th century the number of organic molecules known to science had…

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Untangling the March for Science

Posted on April 24, 2017

Originally posted on Climate Etc.:
by Judith Curry Pondering some thorny issues regarding science, its place in society and its relationship to politics. Well today is the much-hyped March for Science. Last month I wrote a post Exactly what are scientists…

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Activism and the Academy

Posted on March 17, 2017

I am a member of a thing I call the Academy. It is a club, but without any roster, dues, or membership requirement – other than a preoccupation with science. It is non-exclusive, without judgment of any kind with respect … Continue reading →

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Utah

Posted on December 11, 2015

Red dust from the desert filtered into the tent as the morning sun rose. At dawn the light was diffuse and the triangle of fabric enclosed space was peaceful. Then the first of the sun’s direct rays brushed the canvas … Continue reading →

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