big ideas – Page 15 – purple motes

Darkness’s Descent: advancing public understanding of humankind

“Darkness’s Descent on the American Anthropological Association: A Cautionary Tale” provides a sobering account of the behavior of humans within a web of social relations, ideological commitments, and material interests. The humans in this account don’t exactly show a propensity to kill each other. But these humans are every bit as fierce as the Yanomamö … Continue reading Darkness’s Descent: advancing public understanding of humankind

sexually reproducing on earth for at least 1.2 billion years

If someone claims that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, laugh and say, of course they are. … Read the post sexually reproducing on earth for at least 1.2 billion years

William James & Alice Howe Gibbens: an old-fashioned love story

William James’ unromantic love letter to his future wife Alice Howe Gibbens yielded great fruits. … Read the post William James & Alice Howe Gibbens: an old-fashioned love story

dealing with Internet identity scams

A “Barrister Douglas Galbi” has been sending out emails seeking “assistance in repartrating [sic] the fund valued US$14.5 M, left behind by my Late client.” The emails identify the client with a specific name related to that of the person to whom the particular email is sent. These emails look to me like a classic … Continue reading dealing with Internet identity scams

the value of college in the Internet era

Students, families, and societies are making large investments in college education. In the U.S., about 41% of persons ages 25 to 34 years old have completed a two-year or four-year college degree. Another 19% of persons in those age groups have taken some college courses but have not received a degree.[1] These statistics indicate that … Continue reading the value of college in the Internet era