Perhaps, he said, a cornered eel decided that the only way to escape or defend itself was to swim up its attacker’s nostril, and young seals who are “not very adept at getting their food yet” were forced to learn a tough lesson. But Littnan said that theory doesn’t make much sense. “They’re really quite …

This somehow *just* struck me, and of course the internet has been thinking about this for awhile.How would the story of Harry Potter be different if he had been sorted into Slytherin? Answer (1 of 24): Let’s see how the story would have panned out. Here are two scenarios – 1. Harry’s a Slytherin but …

This high-five! #marslandingLordBoogzor on Twitter “#highfive #InSight #MarsLanding @NASA @NASAInSight @NASAJPL https://t.co/W7CcGyqhIT” cross-posted on Facebook

Live broadcast starting in a couple minutes!Mission Control Live: NASA InSight Mars Landing See inside mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as signals return from the InSight mission as it lands on Mars. Landing commentary includes in… cross-posted on Facebook

U.S. Climate Report Warns of Damaged Environment and Shrinking Economy Without major action to rein in global warming, the American economy could lose 10 percent of G.D.P. by 2100, according to a report from 13 federal agencies. cross-posted on Facebook

“Race is difficult to count because, unlike income or employment, it is a social category that shifts with changes in culture, immigration, and ideas about genetics. So who counts as white has changed over time.”Why the Announcement of a Looming White Minority Makes Demographers Nervous The idea of white demographic decline has become an object …

On the Media What we’re reading: cross-posted on Facebook

BBC Earth Getting home after a long day and… #Dynasties cross-posted on Facebook

NowThis Politics ‘If Jeff Sessions is fired, there will be holy hell to pay.’ — Lindsey Graham in 2017 cross-posted on Facebook

On the Media What we’re reading: cross-posted on Facebook

BBC Comedy Yeah, but where are you REALLY from? Via (BBC Three) cross-posted on Facebook

NPR The ship has been dated to roughly 400 B.C., plying the waves in the days of Plato. Since then, it has sat at a depth more than double the height of the world’s tallest skyscraper. cross-posted on Facebook

Hits a little too close to home…Friend in Too Deep With Ironic Flat Earth Facebook Group A local man is suspected of going from ironic enjoyment of the “Flat Earth or Death” Facebook group, to a very genuine belief that the Earth is flat. cross-posted on Facebook

Good discussion about the difference between identity and DNA.Senator Warren takes the test DNA testing is becoming increasingly widespread; in this instance, it’s being used to bolster political bona fides and has sparked discussions about whether genes have anything to do with identity. cross-posted on Facebook

Between the Scenes Trump’s greatest weapon is his ability to wield victimhood, and he’s taking full advantage of it to defend Kavanaugh and undermine the #MeToo movement. cross-posted on Facebook

I appreciated this segment from last week’s Science Friday. They talked with an abstract mathematician about very concrete current events, specifically the logical and moral failure in prioritizing an “inocent until proven guilty” stance with respect statements of assault and rape. And discussed with a caller why emotions do not negate logic.Using Logic In A …

Almost No One Is Falsely Accused of Rape Why that “5 percent of rape allegations are false” figure is so misleading. cross-posted on Facebook

Happiness The story of a rodent’s unrelenting quest for happiness and fulfillment. Music: ‘Habanera’ by Bizet ‘Morning Mood’ by Edvard Grieg http://bit.ly/2NGTECJ https:/… cross-posted on Facebook

sam fletcher on Twitter “MR. BOTTLE-OPENER RIDES A ROLLERCOASTER https://t.co/5i5TOcH3kk” cross-posted on Facebook

Timely discussion of corporate philanthropy. “Giridharadas criticizes our current era, where the wealthy and powerful are seen as ‘saviors’ in social change. He sheds light on the philanthropy of Amazon and other large corporations in the ‘social good’ realm.”Is the marketplace messing up social change? – Speakers Forum Is the marketplace messing up social change? …