Stanford gets Steven J. Gould Library

My Grandmother (who owns thousands of books herself) would love this about Steven J. Gould (one of the great evolution scientists of the 20th century):
Gould owned approximately 1,500 rare, antiquarian books, some dating back to the late 1400s. His library of more contemporary books numbers roughly 8,000 volumes. Although the total number of papers has [...]

Inca Brain Surgery

No Anesthetics!

More at Neurophilosophy:
Andrushko and Verano argue that the Incas performed trepanation primarily to treat head injuries incurred during battle, because the holes are most often found at the front of the skull to the left, consistent with injuries caused by a right-handed opponent during face-to-face combat, and because adult males are overrepresented in the [...]

Obama, Virginia, and Racism in America

I think that sometimes I live a sheltered life up here in Portland. Portland is like a little alternative paradise. One of my closest friends (who happens to be a black lesbian) has said, “you can’t throw a rock in this town without hitting a lesbian.” And the same could be true [...]

“Stop! Obama Time!” Says Portland

Obama was in town (Portland) yesterday speaking to a huge crowd of 75,000 people.  From what I hear, turned out to be more like a victory party than a campaign stop.

Here’s what one supporter had to say:
“The one thing I like about him is he’s talking about bringing everyone together as one nation, as one [...]

California Tackles Gay Marriage: Read it and Weep, Homophobes

In a landmark decision, the California Supreme court said that the ban on gay marriage violates the right to form a family relationship.
Chief Justice Ronald George:
We therefore conclude that in view of the substance and significance of the fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship, the California Constitution properly must be interpreted to guarantee [...]

Is Sam Adams the Dwight Shrewt of Portland Politics?

They’re both shrewd, rude, dudes who know how to sport a good pair of glasses.

Sam is the leading candidate in this years run for Portland Mayor, and he is famous in this town for being a guy who knows how to throw his weight around.
He’s so intense, it’s almost as if he were a ‘volunteer [...]