Tag: humor

What should I call my new novel?

I didn’t get any comments in response to my posted question about possible titles, so let’s try…a poll! Besides, I’ve been dying to have a poll on my blog just like all the other bloggers. (Peer pressure: not just for high school any more!) So vote: What title should I put on my new book? …

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Down with dihydrogen monoxide!

A very funny video from Penn & Teller–as their crew has absolutely no trouble getting people to sign a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide. All they do is tell the truth about this dangerous substance that “leads to increased urination” and “is found in reservoirs, fruits and vegetables, and even baby food.” Dihydrogen monoxide, of …

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"Give me your tired words, your poor words, your muddled paragraphs yearning to break free…"

It’s the Lake Superior State University 2007 List of Banished Words. My favorite: NOW PLAYING IN THEATERS — Heard in movie advertisements. Where can we see that, again? “How often do movies premiere in laundromats or other places besides theaters? I know that when I want to see a movie I think about going to …

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"Moths drink the tears of sleeping birds…"

…is how this story about Madagascarian insect life is headlined, but never mind the science: doesn’t “Moths drink the tears of sleeping birds…” sound like the start to a wonderfully evocative poem by some terribly sensitive poet? Something like: Moths drink the tearsOf sleeping birds;I drink up beersAnd slur my words. *Sniff.* Brings a lump …

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Ho, ho, ho and the world ho, ho, hos with you

‘Tis the season to start columns with the phrase ’tis the season…and, if you’re fortunate, to laugh a lot, at parties, at kids, at TV Christmas specials–or just because other people are laughing. Why is laughter contagious? A new study, just published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides a hint. Researchers at University College London …

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"Sasquatchewan?"

Hairy ape-like creatures have been recently sighted in Saskatchewan, and it’s not even football season.* *(Yes, I know, many football players are cleancut, smart, well-dressed, etc. But what can I do? Sometimes a joke is so obvious you just have to make it. Witness yesterday’s post…)

"Male Circumcision Reduces HIV Risk, Study Stopped Early"

Well, at least they didn’t say “cut short.”

Building a better Christmas with technology

The march of science and technology can be breathtaking, can’t it? Just consider these recent developments in the all-important field of Christmas-related…um, stuff. First, there’s the Lightset Repair Gun. If you have a string of mini-lights that isn’t working, it’s probably because of faulty shunts. Designed to prevent a whole string of lights wired in …

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I have been remiss…

…in not earlier pointing you to the Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists. Consider yourself pointed.

Animal intelligence and the hygiene hypothesis: this week’s top search terms

“Animal intelligence” continues to lead the pack of search terms bringing people to my main site, and you could lump that together with “animal emotions” for a truly commanding lead. Making a first appearance is a seasonal favorite, “flying reindeer.” Good old “spider goat” is still on the list, and other old favorites. Here are …

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Photo of the Day: Argon Gas

It’s everywhere! More photos here.

The 2006 Ig Nobel Prizes

Scientists have a pop-culture reputation as either a) boring or b) mad. That they are not necessarily the former (although, based on the evidence, the jury is still out on the latter) was proven once again last month with the annual awarding of the Ig Nobel Prizes “for research which first makes you laugh, then …

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