My sister, the geophysicist, was telling me today about the Southern California ShakeOut, an event this November 12th at 10AM when everyone is being asked to stop & consider what would happen if there was a 7.4 earthquake on the San Andreas. She went to a seminar where different representatives of the event spoke about […]

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(It’s that time again – guest post from Zach time.)

(Image from Bloomsbury Auctions)
Lots of people are talking about a newly-surfaced letter by Einstein, which seems to clarify his ambiguous views on religion with the following strongly-worded statements:
The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a […]

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It’s long, but go listen to & read NPR’s “Two Families Grapple with Sons’ Gender Preferences“. Then come back for study questions.

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I still do think that is has wonderful aspects to it, that it can inspire people to greatness (though is not necessary for it), and that it has basis in fact, tradition, and/or necessity. I think that, because of these facts, it should be respected, as should history, but I do in no way think […]

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Despite the heat LA has experienced in the last few days I know it’s October at night. There must be something about the proximity & angles of the moon to the northern hemisphere in October, because I can tell what month it is by looking at the moon regardless of where I’ve found myself of an October. It’s big, orange, and slightly obscured by clouds in a painfully romantic way.

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There’s something comforting about familiar freeways. Sure, I’m driving down the 55, and I can all but see the carbon monoxide in the air and my field of view is saturated to the peripheries with oil-slicked concrete and windowless bunker-like warehouses, but the traffic is moving, I am at home, and I am happy.
When […]

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