Author. Thinker. Other things.
Ivan the Terrible ruled through fear mistaken for strength, converting childhood trauma into absolutism. His paranoia dismantled institutions, devastated Russia, and proved that unchecked power amplifies insecurity, rewards cruelty, and destroys states claimed to protect.
A Cedar Waxwing at my window becomes a personal reckoning with invisible glass, unintended design, and how modest, practical changes at home can spare countless birds unnecessary deaths.
Ancient cultures celebrated solstices for their significance in natural cycles. The relationship between day length and temperature reveals seasonal lag, influenced by Earth's heat storage and climate change.
This article explores how cardinals perceive their environment, and how they explore their place in it, especially with respect to color.
The analysis explores how Emperor Palpatine's narcissism drove his destructive leadership, fostering a culture of flattery and manipulation that ultimately led to his downfall through disillusionment, not rebellion.
The club-winged manakin, a small South American bird, produces unique wing-generated sounds for courtship, trading flight efficiency for the ability to attract females with precise stridulation.
The narrative explores the hidden ecosystem beneath your bed, describing dust bunnies as complex microcosms inhabited by various organisms. Dust, mites, beetles, and fungi create a miniature food web, reminding us of life's persistence and evolution in overlooked spaces.
The story goes like this: a young cashier gently suggests to an older woman that she bring her own grocery bags next time because plastic is bad for the planet. The woman smiles and says, “We didn’t have the green thing in my day.” Then she begins listing everything her generation did before “sustainability” became... Continue Reading →
The Linda Hall Library houses a remarkable History of Science collection, showcasing pivotal works like Gart der Gesundheit, Mundus Subterraneus, and Micrographia. These texts not only reflect the scientific knowledge of their times but also laid foundational concepts that influence modern science, illustrating the evolving relationship between evidence, imagination, and inquiry.
Annie Lennox's song "Keep Young and Beautiful" reflects the irony of beauty as a persuasion strategy rooted in evolutionary biology. Various species, from cleaner wrasses to dung beetles, demonstrate deliberate manipulation of appearance and behavior to enhance mating success, revealing shared evolutionary patterns in beauty and attraction across species.
ERIC DORFMAN 