Hobby Lobby takes human biology to court, loses

It doesn’t matter if the evangelical gazillionaire owners of Hobby Lobby believe that emergency contraception causes abortions. It does not do that. Nor does it matter if this belief is passionately sincere and sincerely passionate. Sincerity and passion won’t make it any less incorrect.

As deep as any ocean …

She blinded me with linkage: Gravity could light the developing world … funny molecule names? oh, sparrassol … continuing the dinosaur alphabet … U.S., Malawi still tied for offshore wind … math major cracks the Baptist Code … and the best new word I’ve learned all year.

Black swans and blue tarantulas: ‘Without’ and ‘despite’ are not the same

To believe that which has been disproved is always wrong. To believe that which cannot be proved could be wrong, but it also could be right. The distinction is not subtle, and it’s rather important.

Does the Universe Have a Purpose? Your vote counts

We have a say in this. We cannot consider the question “Does the Universe Have a Purpose?” without considering the sub-question “Do I Have a Purpose?” or even the sub-question to that, “Do I Want to Have a Purpose?” Answering “Yes” to that third question means answering “Yes” to the second. And that means — even if only in a very tiny, tiny way — answering “Yes” to the first.

Smart people saying smart things

Uwe Reinhardt says Europeans visiting the U.S. marvel at infrastructure that reminds them of the 1960s; Alex Knapp points out that if the Earth is only 9,000 years old, then none of our technology should work; Rachel Held Evans discusses her least-favorite adjective; and Richard Beck discusses the economy of submission.

Bulgarian town survived Noah’s flood

Even more remarkable than the ancient town’s unique fortifications or its “peculiar burial positions and objects found in the graves,” of course, is that this settlement was built and occupied by humans centuries before the creation of the universe. And not only did these Neolithic Bulgarians construct huge walls without “the wheel and cart,” their community also seems to have survived Noah’s flood.

A belated happy Carl Sagan Day

“As scientists, many of us have had profound experiences of awe and reverence before the universe. We understand that what is regarded as sacred is more likely to be treated with care and respect. Our planetary home should be so regarded. Efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment need to be infused with a vision of the sacred.”