Category Archives: Discursive Detours

A catch-all category

Shylock, Salanio, Shakespeare, and Stage Stereotypes

On this date in 1598 William Shakespeare submitted “The Merchant of Venice” to the authorities. The play was entered in the Stationers’ Register as “The Marchaunt of Venyce or otherwise called The Jewe of Venyce”. Before I say anything else, … Continue reading

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Independence Day: Freedom, Citizenship and Looking Ahead

I like being an American. There. I’ve said it. I like living in a country where freedom of speech is part of our heritage. And where freedom of expression extends even to folks whose ideas aren’t approved by The Establishment’s … Continue reading

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Good Nutrition, Radioactive Breakfast Cereal

I’d prefer living in an America where doctors never used kids as lab animals, and “feeble-minded” folks who were already locked up were not feared by the powers that be. But I live in a very real America. We had … Continue reading

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WASP-18 b and Other Wonderfully Weird WASP Worlds

When I started writing this, I’d planned on talking about WASP-18 b, a hot Jupiter: how we’ve found water in its atmosphere, and something odd about the planet’s temperature on the edge of its sunlit side. Down the Rabbit Hole: … Continue reading

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ChatGPT, Attorney at Law — or — Trust, but Verify

There are times when I almost regret having successfully avoided a conventionally-successful career. Last weekend was not one of them. Partly because I saw what happens when an otherwise-smart person forgets to think. Big-Time Bungle: Bogus References “ChatGPT: US lawyer … Continue reading

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