Link Me Up, Scotty - Science, Grief and Music Edition

Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Jon Ronson on the topic of public shaming. I consider this a nuanced issue. I have no use for outlets or people who publicly shame people for behavior that's none of their damn business. I'm a "small l" libertarian in that way - I don't give a good goddamn what people do in their private lives as long as everyone consents and they're not involving minors in their shenanigans. But public figures who derive their position and power from their moral superiority, and deride others who don't live as they dictate are typically fair game from my point of view. Mote, beam, eye, etc. You want to be a self-righteous douchebag about your moral high ground? Fine. Be prepared for a rough ride when it turns out you're a hypocrite. You want to be humble, a Fred Rogers-type helper? Fine. Be prepared for me to defend you in a "that's none of your beeswax" kind of way.
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Meet 12 badass women scientists. I love this picture I love the diversity of the women represented there. Go, my sisters - DO SCIENCE TO IT.
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The demons among us are our sons. Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree has some interesting ideas about mass shootings, how the perpetrators fit into our society, and the aggression that drives this behavior. I kept meaning to pick up this book, but now it's on my wish list.
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Stupid phrases for people in crisis. Many of these are faith-based, but it's sound advice when dealing with people without faith, as well. While people didn't say anything to me that necessitated me "punching them in the face with a knife" after Moe died, there were a number of faux-pas and now I'm trying to educate myself about what to do and say when others find themselves in deep pain.

H/T Sister Stacey
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You will never, ever, ever be able to unsee this.

H/T Brother Nathan
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I just finished The Martian by Andy Weir. Yes, it is as good as everyone claims. No, I haven't seen the movie. Based on my limited exposure to it, I suspect it will...irk me. But here's a neato-torpedo tool brought to you by NASA to follow our hero's journey over the face of Mars. Becasue NASA's the Bomb-Diggity.

H/T Brother Vince
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Oh, good. The Koch Brothers are once again planting astroturf movements in our communities to help support and spread their immoral political agenda. The part I really don't get: Many of the people who follow this movement are doing so to their own detriment and the detriment of the people they love.
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Sound advance for men who see women running in public spaces. It never ceases to amaze me how some men feel that women are on this earth only in relation to them. Ugh.
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Video of the Week: Artist Amanda Cole sings Sam Smith's The Writing's on the Wall. This is an extremely gifted young woman, and worth watching.


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