Trade-offs
There are often “trade-offs” in biology. One of the classic examples is the sickle cell trait; you might not get as sick if you get malaria, but a bout of dehydration or intense exercise at altitude could easily land you…
Category Life
Take Time to Process…But Don’t Ultra-Process
When it comes to dietary conversations, it’s popular to condemn “processed food.” However, some “natural” products might actually be lethal (just ask Cousin Dennis about that delicious-looking mushroom that landed him in the hospital last summer). And some degree of…
Don’t Yuck My Yum
One of the things that we teach our kids is to “not yuck another person’s yum.” Rather than offer your unsolicited negative opinion of another person’s food, clothes, or backpack, simply keep your comments to yourself. Better yet, look for…
Amateur Birdwatching and Professional Jerks
“Wow, look at that blue jay!” my happy-go-lucky 23 year-old self exclaimed upon observing a cool-looking bird. Expecting my enthusiasm to be met with similar glee, I was instead met with an icy stare from my companion, who was a…
Dancing Through Life
Many of you are aware that my “dance moves” are an eclectic cornucopia of agility drills, spastic gyrations, and assorted plyometrics. Occasionally people will mistakenly think my dancing is “good,” although some athleticism is required to “perform” in this manner…
Eavesdropping on the Wagemans
Oftentimes people will meet me and ask the question, “What is your wife like?” I figure they’re rightfully intrigued that someone would willingly marry The Academic Platypus…and then gladly renew the subscription every year! And then those LUCKY PEOPLE who…
Dr. Hamartia
The burlesque of power, a sensual dance Let’s tango a little, let’s give it a chance The Sirens come calling, but you’re far too strong Immune to the Gorgons if you don’t gaze too long Mocking the weak, surpassing Narcissus…
Groundhog Day
Today is Groundhog Day, a morning rooted deeply in tradition…a tradition of meteorological forecasting based on the capricious whims of a Pennsylvania rodent. Good stuff, America…you’re almost as likely to get accurate prognostication from the mainstream media…almost But arguably the…
No Offense…
A few weeks ago, I took my daughter to a playground and there was a dog running up and down the slides and leaping off the top of the jungle gym. Due to an unfortunate incident when she was younger,…
Side Effects May Include a Better Life
Many people draw their medical conclusions from advertisements and Reddit message boards. And initially, possessing the euphoria of the paid actors in pharmaceutical commercials frolicking in Tahiti seems pretty appealing. After all, it was their drug infusion that apparently rescued…
