history

  • Book Club

    First Mary Sue? First SciFi?

    ... the Thrice Noble, Illustrious, and Excellent Princesse, The Duchess of Newcastle publishes a book that has been called the first example of science fiction and the first occurrence of the Mary Sue trope. Its full title is The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World and while I don't exactly recommend reading it, you should know about…

    Read More »
  • Activism

    Why Yes, Mayo Clinic. Even the Vice President of the United States Can Transmit COVID-19

    Three days after I gave birth to my youngest child TD, I developed the worst fever I’ve ever had in my life. My teeth chattered so badly I thought my jaw would break and I simultaneously sweat through my bedding and shooks with chills. I had developed Puerperal Fever, colloquially known as “Childbed Fever.” When my temperature hit 104F, I…

    Read More »
  • Quickiesblack dog smiling, wearing red bandana

    Quickies: Perspective on Iran, Presidential primaries, and lots of science…

    This week, the headlines were dominated by military action between the United States and Iran. I am in no way qualified to begin to comment on these matters, but I do recommend an early episode of the NPR podcast Throughline on the history of US-Iranian relations. I have found Throughline’s deep dives into the history behind current events to be…

    Read More »
  • Meta Stuff

    It’s the Sundaylies! Overthinking Harry Potter, Learning the Lessons of History, Discussing Your Trump Fears with Kids, and more!

    Sunday Funny: A reasonable idea (via Poorly Drawn Lines) Teen Skepchick Speak your Mind: Thanksgiving Come on, y’all! Give us your opinions on Thanksgiving. Mad Art Lab Music of the Revolution What a musical 200 years in the making teaches us about politics today. Harry Potter and the Consequences of Overthinking Children’s Literature In an attempt to iron out everything…

    Read More »
  • Featured

    The History of American Women in Congress and Widow’s Succession

    In only one week, the US could be electing into office our first woman president but also our second Clinton president. Going all the way back to Hillary Clinton’s first presidential run in 2008, people have been casting doubt as to whether we should be worried about the fact that electing another Clinton to the presidency would be strengthening a trend…

    Read More »
  • Science

    Science is Missing Out

    In a society where sexism is so deeply ingrained in our culture, a lot of it goes by undetected and unchecked. Today I watched the 8th episode of Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. The show is excellent, don’t get me wrong, and this episode titled “Sisters of the Sun” covers the discovery of the chemical composition of the sun and other…

    Read More »
  • Feminism

    Lady Astronomers Can’t Get a Break

    We talk a lot about the kinds of sexist issues that women have to deal with, especially in the sciences. I’ve seen over the last few years some pretty, eh, awful treatment of women in my field. Even more so, we deal with unintentional sexism, but that’s a story for another post. But look, this isn’t new. Apparently lady astronomers…

    Read More »
  • Meta Stuff

    ICYMI: October 13 – October 19 on the Skepchick Network

    Teen Skepchick The Physics Philes, lesson 69: Hooke’s Law, Line, and Sinker Mindy explains Hooke’s law and how it relates to stresses and strains. 17-Year-Old Made to Receive Blood Transfusions Lux argues that just because someone is a minor doesn’t mean you can discount their decision-making abilities. Speak Your Mind: Recognize Women in STEM Who are the awesome science ladies…

    Read More »
Back to top button