…and the central liberal truth, perpetually at war. "The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of society. The central liberal truth is that politics can change a culture and save it from itself." Boy is that well-put. From a new book of letters written by Daniel PatrickContinue reading “The central conservative truth…”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
A ref for the ages: Dick Bavetta refuses to retire
Basketball is as difficult a game to referee as any, it's widely agreed, which is why refs able to take the pressure get paid the big bucks in the National Basketball Association. If they're respected they can work for years, far longer than players or even most coaches. This makes them in a sense theContinue reading “A ref for the ages: Dick Bavetta refuses to retire”
Reporters track, catch, release scientists at work in field
Not with electronic tags (though I suspect some reporters would love to do that). With their co-operation. Some great stories have resulted in just the past couple of weeks. Here's on one the wandering of a mountain lion through SoCal, as reported on the front page of the Los Angeles Times. One statistic stands out:Continue reading “Reporters track, catch, release scientists at work in field”
The science of NBA gesticulation
The Wall Street Journal tries to bring science to reffing the NBA…by calculating how many technical fouls would have been called in two big Lakers play-offs games last year. We looked back at two NBA Finals contests from last season just to see how often players committed what are now technical-worthy acts. Based on complaintsContinue reading “The science of NBA gesticulation”
The evolution of Nirvana
Funny but true, via Fountain, Not Mountain: And speaking of, here's a glimpse of the real thing, from the astoundingly good live perf at Reading in l992, said by an NPR critic to be the best live recording in the history of rock. This is one of the first numbers in the show, the band'sContinue reading “The evolution of Nirvana”
Obama White House delays Bush tax cut vote, puzzling observers across political spectrum
Despite a considerable Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate, the Obama White House is not going to call for a vote in Congress on allowing the Bush tax cuts to expire before the election. Some say letting the tax cut for the rich expire would appeal to Americans, bu the polling isContinue reading “Obama White House delays Bush tax cut vote, puzzling observers across political spectrum”
Will reducing carbon emissions really make a difference?
Even granting that the climate is changing, reducing carbon emissions could make a huge difference when it comes to rainfall in these United States. That's according to a recent presentation by Tom Karl, director of a NOAA climate center, at a national conference in D.C. in May. But what's really shocking is how much moreContinue reading “Will reducing carbon emissions really make a difference?”
What Tennessee Williams really thought of the movies
The writer character named Tom, widely agreed to be a stand-in for Tennessee Williams himself, in his aria on the movies from a great production of The Glass Menagerie running in Los Angeles now: Tom:Yes, movies! Look at them [a wave towards the theaters outside] All of those glamorous people — having adventures, hogging it all,Continue reading “What Tennessee Williams really thought of the movies”
Three strikes for bears
Ted Rall likes to work from bizarre but real news stories. Sometimes this makes his work seems a little beyond belief, but when you see the context, it all begins to make sense…in a 21st sort of way.
The science of romantic comedy
The part they don't tell you in school about semen (from Scientific American): Semen has a very complicated chemical profile, containing over 50 different compounds (including hormones, neurotransmitters, endorphins and immunosupressants) each with a special function and occurring in different concentrations within the seminal plasma. Perhaps the most striking of these compounds is the bundleContinue reading “The science of romantic comedy”
Kit Stolz 