Hebrew Text on Darth Vader’s Armor?

A post that appeared today on IO9 drew to my attention a topic at the intersection of religion and science fiction that I somehow managed to remain completely unaware of. Apparently there is Hebrew writing on the front panel of Darth Vader’s armor. Here’s an image (you will probably need to zoom in to see [...]

The Talpiot Tomb Jumps the Tropical Fish

Here’s the latest round-up on the Talpiot tomb discussion in the blogosphere. The title of this post comes from a post by Bob Cargill which responds to the suggestion that the “fish” on one of the Talpiot ossuaries is inspired by a tropical fish. It includes this image which treats the logic of that claim [...]

Do Some People Use Smartphones To Make Telephone Calls?

HT Marc Cortez The image, even if facetious, still encourages me to think that I am right to focus increasingly in my teaching on matters of digital and information literacy. If you don’t know how to track down reliable information, you won’t be effective in proving someone wrong – or God forbid, learn that you [...]

Doctor Who: Paradise Towers

I find myself in two minds about the episode “Paradise Towers.” It certainly gives impressive expression to the Seventh Doctor’s persona. But the plot of the story seems in many respects to bring things down to the level of a relatively unconvincing children’s show. And while Doctor Who has always been a show for children, [...]

…Why Is There Still Dust?

Inspired by a comment shared on Jerry Coyne’s blog. Presumably most will grasp that this is satire of the foolish question sometimes asked by opponents of mainstream science, “If humans evolved from monkeys, then why are there still monkeys?” Obviously the same ridiculous question could be asked of young-earth creationists and anyone else who takes [...]