Category Archives: Science

Dealing with Pandemics

Posted on February 27, 2020 by admin

I don’t exactly feel confident in the federal government’s response to the coronavirus. It’s hard to have faith in administration that eliminated funding to the CDC’s Pandemic Response Team in 2018 as a cost-cutting measure. Placing faith in Vice-President Mike … Continue reading →

Posted in National Politics, Politics, Science | 23 Comments

Paying the Bills

Posted on September 6, 2019 by admin

I couldn’t help but count the number of clerks the last time I took my son to his orthopedist. The clinic we use has seven physicians, six nurse practitioners, and two physicians assistants–and at least three times as many receptionists, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | 8 Comments

This Mortal Coil

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Thomas_Easterling

“Sleep is for wimps.” “You have a long time to sleep when you’re dead.” “What’s more important: giving in, or getting things done?” I admit it: I’ve said all these things in reference to sleep. My own sleep habits have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Science | 31 Comments

Dark and Time Travel

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

My wife and I have just finished the first season of Dark on Netflix. I’m not a sci-fi fan–I know, it’s a real, moral shortcoming on my part–but Dark poses questions about time travel that wakened my inner philosopher. I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Pop Culture, Science | 12 Comments

Public Health v. Ethics

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Thomas_Easterling

State Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) has sponsored legislation that would allow parents to object to having their children vaccinated on the basis of religious objections. What might be unethical about vaccinations? According to critics, they’re forced rather than voluntary. (In … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National Politics, Science | 13 Comments

I Wish This Were Sci-Fi

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

Regardless of whether you believe climate change is natural or caused by humans, it appears that a new, worldwide health crisis looms: as layers of permafrost get warmer, microbes that had been trapped in twenty-degree chunks of earth and water … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National Politics, Science | 19 Comments

Enjoy the eclipse, y’all

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

Thinking about the sun for the last month or so has brought me to an obvious question: what has prevented sunbelt states like Mississippi from investing more heavily in solar power? For the amount of money wasted on the Kemper … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | 24 Comments

More Cyber espionage

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Thomas_Easterling

Wikileaks recently released information about the ways the government collects information for (alleged) security purposes. The “Vault 7” papers are hardly surprising. Anyone who’s posted anything anywhere should be aware that there’s no erasing a digital footprint. Yet I must … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National Politics, Science | 31 Comments

Post-debate Election Predictions

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Thomas_Easterling

Most media outlets proclaimed Hillary Clinton won last night’s presidential debate. The stakes seem high–almost 100 million people watched the debate. One would hope that they paid close attention to the things the candidates said. I wonder if it’s that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | 26 Comments

All Mod Con

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Thomas_Easterling

Humans crave physical comfort just as much as the next species. Of course, no other species is so fully equipped to transform the environment. A quick walk around Columbus–or the MUW campus–confirms as much. Witness the stately antebellum homes with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 22 Comments