Category: Science & Philosophy

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

It always amazes that so many Americans refuse to accept the fact of evolution, a century and a half  after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. I just finished reading Origin a few months ago, and it’s still a fascinating book, though of course many of the details have changed.   The full title… Continue reading On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin

Classification of Birds on Our Safari by Order

Accipitriformes is an order of birds that includes most of the diurnal birds of prey, including hawks, eagles, vultures, and kites, but not falcons. For a long time, the majority view was to include them with the falcons in the Falconiformes, but many authorities now recognize a separate Accipitriformes. Anseriformes is an order of birds… Continue reading Classification of Birds on Our Safari by Order

Classification of Animals on Our Safari by Order

Artiodactyla, or cloven-hooved mammals, include such familiar animals as sheep, goats, camels, pigs, cows, deer, giraffes, and antelopes. Most of the world’s species of large land mammals are artiodactyls. Many living artiodactyls evolved features that are adaptive for life on open grasslands. There once was a gazelle so fleetHer grace was a sight hard to… Continue reading Classification of Animals on Our Safari by Order

Scientific Names & Classifications of the Animals Sighted

Function and genetics are taken into account in taxonomy. Humans are mammals and share genetic similarity with other primates, such as apes and monkeys. In contrast to a dog’s face and paws, a human’s hands and facial features more like those of other primates. This, along with genome analysis, confirms humans share a closer connection with apes than dogs. As more genomes are decoded, some previous connections are re-classified.

Ancient Astronomy in Beijing China – A Medieval Observatory

The creative works sublime success,Furthering through perseverance. – I Ching Thus, in the middle of modern Beijing a medieval masterwork appears.  It’s been renamed Beijing Ancient Observatory and lives on the southwest side of Jianguomen crossroad in Dongcheng District of Beijing. When I had asked our local guide about it, he said it wasn’t open… Continue reading Ancient Astronomy in Beijing China – A Medieval Observatory

The Road to Wigan Pier – George Orwell on Fascism

Hoard of United States penny coins isolated on table

He realizes that the standard progressive stance fails to see that many of the goals of MAGA are compatible with a progressive program – it’s the higher-level ideology that results in the cause ‘that dares not speak its name ‘– fascism.

Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow – Maria Coffey

Losing a friend or loved one is never an easy process, but it becomes even more tangled when they leave for a mountain adventure and never return.  I first experienced this in the early 70’s when 3 close friends were killed while attempting Mt. Elias in Canada.