http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/1107/Was-South-America-a-refuge-during-the-dino-killing-mass-extinction   Whatever happens in today’s election, it won’t be worse than this was.     Read more

    There has never been a time in history when Egypt hasn’t been fascinating.  I miss it very much.   http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/royal-burial-boat-ancient-egypt-found/     Read more

    William E. McLellin was chosen as one of the Twelve Apostles in 1835, but was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1838.  However, he never abandoned his faith in the Book of Mormon, and one of the pillars of his faith rested upon his early, searching interviews with the witnesses to that book.  He was a highly intelligent man (and, it seems, a rather irascible one), and he was very careful and intent upon... Read more

    This is surprising:   https://www.newscientist.com/article/2111460-huge-lake-discovered-15-kilometres-under-a-volcano/   And it could have real implications for our understanding of how the earth was formed in the first place, of how water “arrived” here, and so forth.     Read more

    “Wherever the spirit of Christ is known, there is much of good will, of mutual respect, of love and appreciation and kindness.” Gordon B. Hinckley   For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts... Read more

    First of all, let’s stipulate that Hillary Clinton is a terrible candidate.  If she had any charisma, if she weren’t so obviously cynical and corrupt (though see here), she would be light years ahead of the Republican nominee.  And, yes, she’s very liberal.  More so, I think, than her husband, who was always something of a pragmatist.   I’ve been a libertarian-leaning conservative since I was old enough to hold political views.  It astonishes me that I now... Read more

    There’s a caption to the linked article below (you’ll need to click on the “Read Caption” button in order to see it), but no text.  This is perhaps because, so close to the American presidential election, scientists didn’t want to seem to be interfering:   http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/11/earthworms-england-largest-heaviest/#/dave-giant-earthworm-01.ngsversion.1478291412930.jpg   It’s really too late for political polls to be able to determine how Dave’s death may play in swing states such as Florida, North Carolina, and Nevada, although Hillary Clinton has already agreed to... Read more

    It’s a common claim among many critics of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in recent years, and particularly among secularized ex-Momrmons.  But is it true?   http://www.sltrib.com/lifestyle/faith/4535962-155/mass-exodus-from-mormonism-lds-stats     Read more

    All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God.  Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682)     Read more

    It turns out that this presidential election may actually not represent the most serious threat to life and human flourishing on our fragile planet.  We seem to have dodged a bullet back in 2015:   “Crack discovered in Earth’s magnetic shield”   Had the burst been much more severe, it might have rendered commercial tanning salons unnecessary and could even have put them out of business around the world.     Read more