For progressives, does not supporting Bernie mean you’ve sold out?

February 28, 2016

I like Bernie. I really do, and I like his populist socioeconomic message. It is hard for me to disagree with how he’s characterized the evolution of wealth distribution and its associated short-term and long-term consequences. It’s a huge problem that must be addressed to stabilize society. But I wouldn’t choose him over Hillary Clinton … More For progressives, does not supporting Bernie mean you’ve sold out?

We all lose when the news media reinforces the irrational fear of “stranger danger”

November 15, 2015

Maybe it’s that almost every day in Southwest Florida is a slow news day, or maybe it’s that the quest for ratings drive the selection of stories that are covered, but it seems like there is an unusual fascination with reporting on the purported problem of “stranger danger.” After seeing yet another such stereotypical report … More We all lose when the news media reinforces the irrational fear of “stranger danger”

The 2016 presidential race as viewed through a Dunning-Kruger lens

October 4, 2015

The peculiar nature of the campaign for the 2016 presidential election has provided political pundits an oversupply of fodder for their analyses. A prevailing assessment seems to be that Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Carly Fiorina are achieving at least transitory success in the polls not because of any great depth of their policy discussions, … More The 2016 presidential race as viewed through a Dunning-Kruger lens

Obliviousness to global catastrophes- if we can’t feel it, it simply doesn’t exist.

October 3, 2015

I am convinced that one of the limiting factors of the human species is our inability to understand cataclysmic events that are occurring because they develop at a rate that is outside our ability to emotionally comprehend. And, as humans, if something can’t be understood at an emotional level, then it is unlikely to receive … More Obliviousness to global catastrophes- if we can’t feel it, it simply doesn’t exist.

This flawed, unethical study will help fuel the multi-billion dollar homeopathic industry.

September 19, 2015

Does additional antimicrobial treatment have a better effect on URTI cough resolution than homeopathic symptomatic therapy alone? The absolute absurdity of this “published” research study is beyond mind boggling. The tragedy is that it will likely fulfill its purpose of serving as the reference cited for the phrase “clinically proven” that will appear on some … More This flawed, unethical study will help fuel the multi-billion dollar homeopathic industry.

Fact – GMOs are safe; Fiction – GMO food labels are a good idea

August 16, 2015

As a parent, how do you handle the fears of a child that believes there’s a monster under his or her bed? There are a number of ways to handle that situation, but one of them is not to say that there may or may not be a monster and we’re simply not sure. So, … More Fact – GMOs are safe; Fiction – GMO food labels are a good idea

NPR endorses the magic of “Posture Guru” Esther Gokhale

August 12, 2015

With its segment on Esther Gokhale, Lost Posture: Why Some Indigenous Cultures May Not Have Back Pain[1], NPR seems to be continuing its long, downward spiral of presenting emotion-based belief practices as if they were legitimate, evidence-based therapies.  Ms. Gokhale has achieved a certain level of fame, and not a little bit of fortune, by espousing her … More NPR endorses the magic of “Posture Guru” Esther Gokhale

Are opinions on the merits of the Iran deal based on facts?  – The answer has two letters.

August 2, 2015

As the saying goes, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts. In the case of the Iran deal, opinions are abundant and are expressed with confidence, certainty, and in many cases – arrogance. But what about the basis of those opinions? Are the opinions based on reading the agreement and … More Are opinions on the merits of the Iran deal based on facts?  – The answer has two letters.