Quietly Thinking Out Loud
Just one guy thinking out loud on the issues in religion, atheism, politics & science.
Yes, the climate has always changed. This comic shows why that’s no comfort. – Vox
Yes, the climate has always changed. This comic shows why that’s no comfort.
Randall Munroe, author of the webcomic XKCD, has a habit of making wonderfully lucid infographics on otherwise difficult scientific topics. Everyone should check out today’s edition on global warming. It’s a stunning graphic showing Earth’s recent climate history. Take some time with it. Stroll through the events like the domestication of dogs and the construction of Stonehenge.
To tell someone they’re wrong, first tell them how they’re right — Quartz
A philosopher’s 350-year-old trick to get people to change their minds is now backed up by psychologists
The 17th century philosopher Blaise Pascal is perhaps best known for Pascal’s Wager which, in the first formal use of decision theory, argued that believing in God is the most pragmatic decision. But it seems the French thinker also had a knack for psychology. As Brain Pickings points out, Pascal set out the most effective way…
Here are 6 reasons why nuclear needs to be a key part of America’s energy mix – Vox
Here are 6 reasons why nuclear needs to be a key part of America’s energy mix
This feature was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and Nuclear Energy Institute. Vox editorial staff was not involved in the creation or production of this content. America’s nuclear energy plants are – by a wide margin – the nation’s largest source of carbon-free power. They produce clean, reliable electricity as well as well-paying jobs.
The Trump Tapes: Vol. 1
From the Our Principles PAC….
The Our Principles PAC is an anti-Trump Super PAC founded by a Romney 2012 campaign staffer, released an ad that shows repeated videos of Trump expressing non-conservative views.The goal of the Super PAC is, “Our Principles PAC has focused on conservative principles and ensuring that voters have the necessary information to make a wise decision on Election Day.”
Joseph Stiglitz Says Standard Economics Is Wrong. Inequality and Unearned Income Kills the Economy – Evonomics
Joseph Stiglitz Says Standard Economics Is Wrong. Inequality and Unearned Income Kills the Economy – Evonomics
Capitalism By Joseph Stiglitz The rules of the game can be changed to reverse inequality In the middle of the twentieth century, it came to be believed that ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’: economic growth would bring increasing wealth and higher living standards to all sections of society.
Why Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work? | Healthcare Triage
31 years ago I got sober via Alcoholics Anonymous but increasingly over the years my doubts regarding it effectiveness and efficacy has grown.
This episode of Healthcare Triage was adapted from one of Austin Frakt’s Upshot columns. Links to references and further reading can be found there: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/ups…
The NYTimes Upshot article mentioned above:
Alcoholics Anonymous and the Challenge of Evidence-Based Medicine
Do Alcoholics Anonymous participants do better at abstinence than nonparticipants because they are more motivated? Or is it because of something inherent in the A.A. program? How researchers answered these questions in a recent study offers insight into challenges of evidence-based medicine and evidence-informed policy.
The time is right to reclaim the utopian ideas of Keynes | Aeon Essays
The time is right to reclaim the utopian ideas of Keynes – John Quiggin | Aeon Essays
I first became an economist in the early 1970s, at a time when revolutionary change still seemed like an imminent possibility and when utopian ideas were everywhere, exemplified by the Situationist slogan of 1968: ‘Be realistic. Demand the impossible.’