information you should have

Busy as a Beaver

Happy news! The Eurasian beaver, which was hunted into extinction in England by the 12th century and was wiped out in Scotland by the 1500s, is back! Some reintroduced wild beavers in Devon, England have produced the first kits in 400 years or so. Happy!! “Tom Buckley, a retired scientist and wildlife enthusiast from Ottery… Read more Busy as a Beaver

Reblogging — Fat People Can Be as Healthy as Thin People

This post from Sociological Images cannot be reposted enough, especially this part:  “Healthy lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease in mortality regardless of baseline body mass index.”   Evidence: Fat People Can Be as Healthy as Thin People Lisa Wade, PhD on December 31, 2012 If you live in the U.S. you are… Read more Reblogging — Fat People Can Be as Healthy as Thin People

Mumpsimus

A mumpsimus is  person who clings to something even after it has been shown to be wrong, or the action of clinging to incorrect belief. For example, when someone insists on saying irregardless regardless of the fact it is NOT a word, then that person is a mumpsimus and his act of using the word… Read more Mumpsimus

I’ve been using the word “Luddite” wrong

Like most people, I have accepted the ‘given’ definition of Luddite as someone who fears technology. I even, being the word-geek that I am, knew the term originated from machine-breakers in the early ninetieth century. The reasons the Luddites broke new automated looms was because the feared and hated new devilish technology, right? Wrong. The… Read more I’ve been using the word “Luddite” wrong

Terror and the Lone Wolf

A monster named Muhammad Abdulazeez murdered five servicemen last week. May light perpetual shine upon them. Was this a terrorist attack? Terrorism is “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.” If Abdulazeez had a larger socio-political goal in mind (like starting a race war or a jihad) then it was… Read more Terror and the Lone Wolf

Welcoming Beth von Staats, author of Thomas Cranmer in a Nutshell!

MadeGlobal’s History in a Nutshell Series aims to give readers a good grounding in a historical topic in a concise, easily digestible and accessible way. In Thomas Cranmer in a Nutshell, Beth von Staats discusses the fascinating life of Thomas Cranmer, from his early education, through his appointment to Archbishop of Canterbury, his growth in… Read more Welcoming Beth von Staats, author of Thomas Cranmer in a Nutshell!