Biology – Odd STEM

Hello, World

“…hundreds of millions of years.”

In software development, it’s something of a tradition to write a “hello, world” program when learning a new programming language.[1] It’s often just a simple program that prints the words “Hello, world” on the computer screen, to prove it can be done. Getting this proof of concept to run, can tell us multiple things: the programming environment is set up correctly, the program source code is correct, and the steps to run the program from the source code are effective. It can also be a confidence builder as well as fun. But the general concept of it is far more than any of that.

Witches’ Brew

“But what if there’s more to it than that?”

Like other aspects of culture, witches have stereotypes that are fueled by tradition, fiction, and modern media. A well-known aspect of witch stereotypes is the brewing of potions or witches’ brew, often in a large black cauldron. The purpose of a potion could be to cure illness, obtain immortality, or try to “induce love”, according to Wikipedia.[1] Other historic purposes for witch’s brew can be found on the web as well. The ideas for tradition and fiction are often based on truth. In fact, the mixing of natural ingredients in potions eventually helped bring about modern medicine. Could there be any truth to other supposed uses of witches’ potions, beyond potential use as medicine?

The Top or the Bottom

“We may still need something closer to our scale…”

We humans like to think of ourselves as the dominant lifeform of Earth, having the power to help or hurt any and all life on the planet. Mainstream science depicts us as naturally intelligent beings using technology to help us do things, harnessing nature as we see fit. Do we have it backwards? Is nature harnessing us? What if we are the technology?

Human Design and Reproduction

“Is the quality a defect?”

Every species – whether brought about by evolution or divine creation – has a biological design that strives for the survival of that species. Part of that biological design is reproduction, which is necessary for the survival of our species too, assuming humans will never be immortal. What if someone never reproduces? Biologically, such people seem at first glance to not be contributing to the survival of our species. Are they deviating from our design?

Zero Impact

“…living like other animals may become a right belonging to each individual.”

It’s no secret that humans have significantly affected Earth’s natural environments. Some people say we are even destroying the Earth, which at times can be hard to disagree with. Consequently there is support for the idea of decreasing, eliminating, or even reversing human impact on Earth. What if we achieved zero further impact? What would that look like?

The Monster Under the Bed, Coronavirus Conspiracies, and the Best Pizza Ever

“…not something as trivial as the whereabouts of a lost sock.”

As a young child, I was afraid there was a monster under my bed, that would grab my feet and pull me into its lair. Over the years, I have learned that I am not the only one to have imagined such a thing. It seems so common, that it’s a cliché in American culture and even others.[1] But how or why is that even possible? What could I have in common with all those other people to cause this experience? What does it mean for humanity? Continue reading “The Monster Under the Bed, Coronavirus Conspiracies, and the Best Pizza Ever”

Our Underestimated Past

“Were the people of past generations crazy? Delusional?”

The month of January tends to be a time for reflecting on the previous year, in addition to planning for the year ahead. A lot can change in one year. In fact the world seems to be changing at an accelerating rate. The past century has seen the invention of digital computers, people walking on the moon, the rise of the Internet, cell phones for billions of people, medical care that is better than it has ever been, etc.[1] Younger generations are said to be advancing over the previous generations because of growing up with computers and mobile devices. With all our modern advances, past generations seem to intellectually pale in comparison. Is that really the case? Continue reading “Our Underestimated Past”

Elaborate Food Tubes

“Evolution generally causes changes that are useful in some way.”

Of all the fall American holidays, Thanksgiving seems to place the most emphasis on eating. With so much food going into our mouths at this time of the year, it can be hard to ignore the need for waste to come out the other end. Some anatomical diagrams would have us believe that our food goes through us from one end to the other, as if simply going through a tube. We are of course more complex than that, but when did it all start? Not the first Thanksgiving, but when did we start the process of food going in one end and waste coming out the other? And how did we get to how we are today?

Continue reading “Elaborate Food Tubes”

Anxiety, Dandelions, and Witches

“While I’m (potentially) jumping to conclusions, as a bonus I could throw in conspiracy and global warming.”

Most people have occasional anxiety, especially with modern life being as complicated as it is. I myself sometimes have anxiety for no apparent reason, even when avoiding caffeine. On one particular occasion in the past year or two, I noticed having anxiety at a time when a couple people I know were having allergy symptoms. So I wondered if there were some kind of connection. Continue reading “Anxiety, Dandelions, and Witches”

The Spirit of the Forest

“Can a forest really behave as a whole in a way that seems intelligent and also protect itself and its contents?”

I rarely get to visit a large forest, but I have noticed even a small forest of a few acres seems to have a “presence” about it, like a hint of consciousness. Being in a forest can even give me the feeling of being watched. I don’t think this watchful presence feeling is from specific plants or animals in the forest, but maybe all of them together, possibly in combination with the land features as well. Or maybe it’s something else in the forest, something not visible.

Continue reading “The Spirit of the Forest”