US Represented

Nonfiction

Ten Reasons to Appreciate Science

In the mid-1700s, natural phenomena were so poorly understood in the American Colonies that lightning was considered by many to be an indicator of Godโ€™s wrath. Accordingly, if lightning struck a house and caused a fire, neighbors often let the home burn to the ground because they figured this was Godโ€™s intention. Then in 1753

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Be Careful of Little Lives

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise: Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest. –Proverbs 6:6-6:8 Scripture praises ants, children are mesmerized by them, and yet ants in the garden are so commonplace as to be easily

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Vacant Lots: A Butterfly Hunter Considers the Sacred

The simplest definition of โ€œsacredโ€ in the Oxford English Dictionary has always seemed to me to be โ€œset apart,โ€ and thatโ€™s probably why Iโ€™ve never felt very happy with the word. Iโ€™ve never much liked the idea of things being โ€œset apart.โ€ Somehow, in my staunchly Republican family, I acquired a stubborn egalitarianism. But I

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Sometimes in my dreams

Sometimes in my dreams, I have interactions with people who no longer play a role in my waking life, like old friends, relatives, and former lovers. Some of them have passed away and are back for a visit. Thereโ€™s always a strong telepathic element with whomever I encounter. Now and then, I feel tasked to

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Some Advice for Professors Everywhere

Following is some advice for professors everywhere that should serve as a useful reminder. I offer it with respect and good intentions, knowing full well that we don’t always live up to these standards. Still, it never hurts to try. Check your ego at the door. Earning an advanced degree and securing part- or full-time

Read More ยป

Ten Reasons to Appreciate Science

In the mid-1700s, natural phenomena were so poorly understood in the American Colonies that lightning was considered by many to be an indicator of Godโ€™s wrath. Accordingly, if lightning struck a house and caused a fire, neighbors often let the home burn to the ground because they figured this was Godโ€™s intention. Then in 1753

Read More ยป

Be Careful of Little Lives

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise: Which, having no chief, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest. –Proverbs 6:6-6:8 Scripture praises ants, children are mesmerized by them, and yet ants in the garden are so commonplace as to be easily

Read More ยป

Vacant Lots: A Butterfly Hunter Considers the Sacred

The simplest definition of โ€œsacredโ€ in the Oxford English Dictionary has always seemed to me to be โ€œset apart,โ€ and thatโ€™s probably why Iโ€™ve never felt very happy with the word. Iโ€™ve never much liked the idea of things being โ€œset apart.โ€ Somehow, in my staunchly Republican family, I acquired a stubborn egalitarianism. But I

Read More ยป

Sometimes in my dreams

Sometimes in my dreams, I have interactions with people who no longer play a role in my waking life, like old friends, relatives, and former lovers. Some of them have passed away and are back for a visit. Thereโ€™s always a strong telepathic element with whomever I encounter. Now and then, I feel tasked to

Read More ยป

Some Advice for Professors Everywhere

Following is some advice for professors everywhere that should serve as a useful reminder. I offer it with respect and good intentions, knowing full well that we don’t always live up to these standards. Still, it never hurts to try. Check your ego at the door. Earning an advanced degree and securing part- or full-time

Read More ยป