Category Archives: Culture

Finding Oil and Gas where God Dumps Them

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Well, here’s a great idea. Sarah Palin has offered to head the Department of Energy when Donald Trump becomes president. “I think a lot about the Department of Energy, because energy is my baby: oil and gas and minerals, those … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Geology, People | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What do We Really Think about Plate Tectonics?

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Ron Miksha

In mid-August, two experts on acid rain published a study. It’s about Wikipedia and how wiki edits reflect some of the social dynamics of the public’s view of science.  The researchers – Adam Wilson and Gene Likens – indicated that … Continue reading →

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1000 Simple Words

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Ron Miksha

Could you describe your work to someone new if you had to use fewer than 1,000 words? I certainly hope so – that’s two or three typed pages. If you need more than that, maybe you don’t really know your … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Culture, Science Education | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Respects to the Hobbit Man

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Ron Miksha

About a week ago I was at JRR Tolkien’s grave. It is not my habit to seek cemeteries containing the tombstones of fantasy writers. However, my wife, two young kids, and I were staying at a guesthouse in Oxford. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Culture, Philosophy, Science Education | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Human Kidney acquires a Woolly Mammoth Gene!

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Ron Miksha

In a fascinating scientific breakthrough, scientists have transplanted a gene (TRPV3) from a spare woolly mammoth rump into a human kidney. The mammoth – frozen for 35,372 years – was discovered in a freezer at Muckatuk’s Emporium, a popular eatery … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Infinitesimal

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I just finished Infinitesimal –  a book that describes how a peculiar new idea was undermined by religion. Careers were ruined; people were imprisoned for promoting this idea that ran counter to prevailing religious notions. This time, I’m not talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Culture, History, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Monkeys on Trial

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Ron Miksha

The monkey trial.  It was 90 years ago. We know the key players – the fabulously successful criminal trial lawyer who defended Scopes (but lost) and the 3-time Democrat presidential candidate (and erstwhile preacher) who attacked Scopes (and won). It … Continue reading →

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License Plate Tectonics

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I write about plate tectonics. I eagerly jumped from my news feed to the story: “License Plate Tectonics” after I read the headline. About time, I thought. We license everything else – hunting, fishing, driving, marriage. Why not license plate … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Plate Tectonics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Mystery of The Worldwide Hum Phenomenon

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I am reblogging this because it is intriguing and I don’t know what to think about it. A worldwide hum? It is not quite worldwide as it seems to other the ears of the wealthy North Americans and Europeans more … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Environment, Reblogs | Tagged | Leave a comment

USA and Vietnam may go to war again – as Allies

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Ron Miksha

I was a kid during the Vietnam War. I remember the nightly television scenes of boys not much older than I was, crawling through rice paddies while explosions ignited around them. Some of the young men were relatives, others were … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Exploration | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments