Do scientists hate sex?

Modern science may soon need its own Martin Luther to set it straight.

Using a profoundly flawed methodology, researchers at Nottingham University have recently asserted that men with a high sex drive are more prone to prostate cancer.

The study was based upon a pool of volunteers self-reporting their frequency of sex as young men.  The researchers were surprised to find that the risk of prostate cancer diminished with age.  No shit, Sherlock; have we learned nothing from Kinsey?

Have scientists replaced clergy as the Jeremiads of our era?  They substitute the tortures of bad health for hellfire and brimstone, but the message is the same: under no circumstances are you to enjoy life.  Whether by the cancer of Original Sin or the cancer of clogged sperm, it seems there are some determined to believe that to be human is to be ill.

Cylonic dreams of the eternal return

Wow. Well, I’ve got to hand it to the writers.  I heard rumors swirling for a while, but didn’t believe them.  Her? Nah, get real; what a lame choice.  But after watching the episode I now agree with the blogger at Galactica Variants: not only does the choice work, but it’s powerful.  And I think it’s only the beginning, since the LA Times reports that we should expect to see this character, somehow, some way, over the course of the final story arc.

In light of the revelation, I am further awe-filled by the sheer time scale in which Galactica as a story operates, especially the way in which it is conveyed so intimately, personalizing the effect.  There is truly something mysterious, terrifying, and enticing about the concept of eternal return, and the show manages to connect it to identity, history, and mortality in ways that never cease to evoke wonder and reflection.  Truly, this is more than masterful television: it’s nigh philosophy.

(If you feareth not the spectre of spoilers, click on the image above to see the big revelation, and “read more” for some more thoughts.)

Obama 2.0 and police brutality…

…what do they have in common?  Web-based New Media, that’s what.  It’s time that we asked ourselves: what will be the long-term consequences of our emerging electronic democracy?

Two videos showing a San Francisco Bay Area police officer fatally shooting an unarmed, cooperating 22-year-old man have surfaced, due to the efforts of a vigilant teen and an anonymous videographer.

Both individuals used their cellphones to record the horrific event, and as you can see from the list of related videos in the embedded video above, the story is quickly breaking out across YouTube.  Call it the revenge of the Fifth Estate.

Defenders of civil liberties should rejoice that this horrible — and fatal — violation on the part of the police officer has been brought to light so quickly, raw, and true.  We have technology, coupled with the videographers’ patriotic use of it, to thank.

However, by the same token, can “patriotic New Media” take our nation down an unpatriotic path?  We should all be on the alert about a secret new development occurring within the office of the president e-elect.

Return from South Africa

Me on Signal Hill, looking rather dashing with the sunlight and wind in my hair. Behind me is Lion's Head Mountain, and below to the left is Capetown overshadowed by Table Mountain.

Hey everybody!  I have returned from South Africa.   I’m in New York City right now visiting my parents; will return to Philly tonight.   The difference in weather is remarkable — from breezy, sunny Cape of Good Hope to rainy, dreary northeastern United States.

I’ll be posting photos and videos in this space and on Flickr.  Also, the fourth and final part of my blog series on veganism will run next week, so stay tuned!