Second paragraph of third chapter:During those two years, an obscure and unassuming undergraduate at Trinity College, Cambridge, completed his studies. Hoping to avoid the plague, he returned to the house of his birth, from which his mother managed a farm. His father had died shortly before he was born, and he had been brought up by his maternal ( Read more... )

I asked 8 researchers why the science of nutrition is so messy. Here’s what they said.
Gosh.
(tags: Science )

Former Catalan president defiant before trial over secession vote
The stakes are being raised.
(tags: spain catalonia )

It's time to defend Brexit, says the Spectator
Getting worried?
(tags: ukpolitics eu )

20 Big Questions about the Future of Humanity
Q: Will sex become obsolescent?
A: No.
(tags: science )

The Hidden Danger of Big Data
In 2015, mankind produced as much information as was created in all previous years of human civilization.
(tags: internet )

( Read more... )

Looking behind the Brexit anger
It's political culture, rather than economics. #fb
(tags: eu ukpolitics )

Why Brexit Might Not Happen at All
Wishful thinking, I suspect; though widely shared. #fb
(tags: ukpolitics eu )

UK voted for Brexit - but is there a way back?
Difficult to see, but these are the scenarios. #fb
(tags: ukpolitics eu )

Turkey ( Read more... )

Big Data and the Law
Fascinating.
(tags: crime statistics )

UK physics faces huge uncertainty after EU referendum result
Solving the problem of experts by getting rid of 'em.
(tags: eu science ukpolitics )

The EU will treat Britain like Greece
Only worse. Great article - in @Telegraph!
(tags: eu ukpolitics )

Brussels bickers over Brexit
The ( Read more... )

Predata Signals Offer a Fresh Perspective on the Brexit Campaign Crunching data from online debate.
(tags: ukpolitics eu ) She had a Washington job on TV. Then this ‘West Wing’ actor got one in real life Beautifully appropriate!
(tags: uspolitics tv ) Is it fair for Shakespeare to overshadow Cervantes? Maybe not; but life isn't always fair!
(tags: ( Read more... )

Dangerous Days in Karabakh This is very bad news.
(tags: armenia azerbaijan nagornokarabakh ) Why everything about the way we report on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is wrong A timely warning.
(tags: armenia azerbaijan nagornokarabakh ) Have you been threatened with legal action by “Scientists for Britain”? Brexiters trying to chill scientific ( Read more... )

Woman accidentaly cosplays hotel Hee!
(tags: funny ) Where the EU got a frozen conflict right The case of Transdniestria.
(tags: eu moldova transdniestria ) China uproots 9,000 people for huge telescope in search for aliens SETI disrupting lives.
(tags: space astronomy China ) Every Galaxy Needs More Than Three People of Color Few are up to the ( Read more... )

• "Nicholas was..."
  Neil Gaiman's short story, illustrated by Chris Riddell
  (tags: sf christmas )
• Fixion
  A Christmas gift for physicists: the particle that fixes everything.
  (tags: science funny )
• Where To Say ‘Merry Christmas’ vs. ‘Happy Holidays’
  @fivethirtyeight maps it out.
  (tags: uspolitics christmas )

• Sorting Out What Russia and Turkey Say Happened in the Sky
  (tags: war russia turkey )
• The Serial Swatter
  Harassment online, again.
  (tags: internet )
• An Alarming New Escalation in the Syria War
  *gulp*
  (tags: russia turkey syria )
• Satellite launch accident provides unexpected test of Einstein’s theory
  Timewarps, for real.
  (tags: science space )