Author Archives: Stentor

So Long

Well, just as I’ve finally managed to post something of substance, it seems July is over. And I’m about to commence moving from New South Wales to Arizona, so posting at debitage will be light for the next couple weeks … Continue reading

Posted in Site and Admin Stuff | Comments Off  

The Unfairness Of Yucca Mountain

The proposal for a national nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain is back in the news, as the Department of Energy moves forward with plans, people turn their attention to nuclear power as an alternative to increasingly expensive oil, and … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

Climate Change Is Morally Repugnant

I’m a pretty sorry excuse for a blogger, since I’m only just now getting around to commenting on a much-blogged article by Daniel Gilbert about climate change. Gilbert argues that people aren’t concerned about climate change, because people all have … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

Chimaeras and Environmentalism

David Barash thinks that creating human-ape hybrids would be a great way to strike a blow for truth and reason. His main motivation is to disprove creationism — though how designing a new creature will prove evolution escapes me. More … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

Let DC Vote

This is one of the world’s comparatively minor injustices, but nevertheless one that it’s useful to be reminded of from time to time, since there’s no excuse for it: Residents of Washington, DC have no representation in Congress. All they … Continue reading

Posted in Elections and politics | Comments Off  

Australia To Be World's Top Horse And Buggy Exporter

I guess you have to give John Howard credit for being honest. The Aussie PM is excited about the prospect of Australia becoming an “energy superpower” by expanding its share of the fossil fuel market. Howard rejects not only the … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

Can *Beta* Males Be (Pro)Feminists?

Over at Pandagon, there’s a good discussion of whether “alpha males” — men who strongly exhibit stereotypically masculine characteristics, like assertiveness, self-control, extroversion, leadership, risk-taking, not-taking-shit-from-anyone — can be (pro)feminists. The conclusion, with which I agree, seems to be a … Continue reading

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc | Comments Off  

Can an animal rights activist accept medical treatment invented through animal testing?

In the comments to a recent post, Jenn asks: And I’m still curious to know how many animal rights activsts refuse medical treatment for themselves or someone they love based on its history in animal experimentation? I have no idea … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

If a tree burns in the woods and there's nobody to hear it …

Let’s go back to writing about something I actually know something about. The headlines say climate change causes wildfires. And indeed, a new study (pdf) found a strong correlation between the increase during the 1980s in the number and length … Continue reading

Posted in Environmental issues | Comments Off  

The Real You vs A New Creation

In describing his efforts at recognizing privilege and becoming a better (pro)feminist, Malachi at Feminist Allies writes: A major part of the problem is that I *do* have a lot (some say an excess) of self-confidence, a forceful personality, and … Continue reading

Posted in Feminism, sexism, etc | Comments Off