Thursday, January 5, 2012
For my friends in the Keys...
New study indicates that salt water might not deter the spread of Burmese pythons from the Everglades across stretches of open water to reach the Keys. Keep your eyes open.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Republican Fire Drills
As I type this, the Iowa caucuses are underway. Amazing that some 100,000 Iowans hold the sway that they do, but it is what it is. Seems appropriate to take some time to look at the field of contenders.
As I've indicated here before, I vote science. I'll certainly pay attention to a candidate's views on fiscal and social issues, but I've found their stance on (and knowledge of) science to be a pretty good litmus test. The economy, per my limited understanding, seems largely a black box - about all you can hope for is that a president will be smart enough to hire the best advisors possible and, then, get lucky. As for social issues, most intelligent, educated people land on the right side of those, if there's not too much money involved. So, the common theme - look for the smartest guy (or girl). Science IQ is a pretty good indicator.
Many of us have been disappointed with President Obama. For all the promise of three years ago, the actual product has not lived up to the hype - witness his recent signature on NPAA. But are there alternatives? Since Obama will doubtless receive the Democratic nomination, we're forced to look to the GOP. Surely someone in that crowded field can pass scientific muster.
Well, take a look. Scientific American's geek guide finds the most worthy of the Republican pack, from a scientific standpoint, to be Newt Gingrich. That's the same Gingrich who recently characterized evolution as producing "randomly gathered protoplasm". That's depressing. Of course, its unclear whether this reflects ignorance or cowardice on his behalf. But, then again, what's the difference.
The rest of the field is, believe it or not, worse. Mitt Romney, at least, accepts the fact of evolution. However, his stances on other scientific issues are completely utilitarian. And Ron Paul? Well, here's Ron Paul on evolution. For all my techno-geek, libertarian friends who think that Ron Paul is the second coming - he's not. Although I suppose he might have the good sense to keep his hands off things that he doesn't understand.
So, I guess I hope we're stuck with BHO for four more years.
As I've indicated here before, I vote science. I'll certainly pay attention to a candidate's views on fiscal and social issues, but I've found their stance on (and knowledge of) science to be a pretty good litmus test. The economy, per my limited understanding, seems largely a black box - about all you can hope for is that a president will be smart enough to hire the best advisors possible and, then, get lucky. As for social issues, most intelligent, educated people land on the right side of those, if there's not too much money involved. So, the common theme - look for the smartest guy (or girl). Science IQ is a pretty good indicator.
Many of us have been disappointed with President Obama. For all the promise of three years ago, the actual product has not lived up to the hype - witness his recent signature on NPAA. But are there alternatives? Since Obama will doubtless receive the Democratic nomination, we're forced to look to the GOP. Surely someone in that crowded field can pass scientific muster.
Well, take a look. Scientific American's geek guide finds the most worthy of the Republican pack, from a scientific standpoint, to be Newt Gingrich. That's the same Gingrich who recently characterized evolution as producing "randomly gathered protoplasm". That's depressing. Of course, its unclear whether this reflects ignorance or cowardice on his behalf. But, then again, what's the difference.
The rest of the field is, believe it or not, worse. Mitt Romney, at least, accepts the fact of evolution. However, his stances on other scientific issues are completely utilitarian. And Ron Paul? Well, here's Ron Paul on evolution. For all my techno-geek, libertarian friends who think that Ron Paul is the second coming - he's not. Although I suppose he might have the good sense to keep his hands off things that he doesn't understand.
So, I guess I hope we're stuck with BHO for four more years.
Back in the office...
...after a lengthy, much-needed, holiday break. Wish I could say I felt rested and ready, but it wouldn't be true - the holidays themselves are demanding in their own way. Still, it's time to go back to work.
I've been largely absent from this site for quite some time. Truth is, there are only so many hours in the day and blogging has not been the highest priority. The immediate future looks a little more promising - we'll see.
For those of you who are former students, colleagues, and friends, let me take a few minutes to update. 2011 was a helluva year. On the academic side, the year was very demanding, but also fulfilling. Two colleagues and I used a small grant stemming to examine the impact of the 2010 BP spill on a salt marsh site in Mississippi Sound near Bayou La Batre. We're finishing that work now, and the results are interesting. On a broader scale, though, we've been able to create a dynamic lab to involve undergrads in ecological research. Something a bit unique for Small Southern, and very rewarding. Of course, the focus here is on the classroom, and the good people in my administration were kind enough to give me 18 1/2 contact hours in the Fall of 2011, including a freshman biology section of 65 hardheads. But, we made it. My field zoology class, 27 strong, included a remarkable group of kids. We had some true adventures, not the least of which included drowning a Jeep. But everyone survived. Life lessons.
The year was, at times, very trying on the personal front, with a number of medical issues in my immediate family. 2011 began with my 92 year old mother in rehabilitation for fractures of her left humerus and femur. It ended with my eldest brother preparing to go to Seattle next week for allogenic stem cell transplant in treatment for multiple myeloma. Fingers crossed. On a significantly more positive note, my oldest daughter and her husband produced my first grandchild in August. Young Vic is unusually smart and handsome.
Now, it's time to go back to work. I'm seeing 2012 as a year to change some things for the better. Let's go.
I've been largely absent from this site for quite some time. Truth is, there are only so many hours in the day and blogging has not been the highest priority. The immediate future looks a little more promising - we'll see.
For those of you who are former students, colleagues, and friends, let me take a few minutes to update. 2011 was a helluva year. On the academic side, the year was very demanding, but also fulfilling. Two colleagues and I used a small grant stemming to examine the impact of the 2010 BP spill on a salt marsh site in Mississippi Sound near Bayou La Batre. We're finishing that work now, and the results are interesting. On a broader scale, though, we've been able to create a dynamic lab to involve undergrads in ecological research. Something a bit unique for Small Southern, and very rewarding. Of course, the focus here is on the classroom, and the good people in my administration were kind enough to give me 18 1/2 contact hours in the Fall of 2011, including a freshman biology section of 65 hardheads. But, we made it. My field zoology class, 27 strong, included a remarkable group of kids. We had some true adventures, not the least of which included drowning a Jeep. But everyone survived. Life lessons.
Now, it's time to go back to work. I'm seeing 2012 as a year to change some things for the better. Let's go.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Starfish returns
We've been incommunicado for some time. Other priorities took precedence. However, it's a semester for evolutionary biology and vert zoo, and we'll be blogging once again. I'll spend some time updating this week, and we'll go full live when the semester begins next Monday.
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