(The title is a riff on my 2016 post announcing the efforts of Finnish open science activists to obtain pricing information through the courts.) Edit 1: I gave a comment for a Times Higher Education article on Elsevier’s negotiations. Edit 2: on Feb 2, 2018, FinELib released more details, including the level of total price… Continue reading Finland takes steps in the openness of academic journal pricing — Mostly Physics
History of U.S. Spies and How Intelligence is Gathered
It’s hard to beat a good spy movie. Whether someone is handing over classified information in public at a park exchange or secretly listening in on a high-level conversation, spies have always floated in the background of our media and our real lives. How does it actually work in real life though? We recently uncovered… Continue reading History of U.S. Spies and How Intelligence is Gathered
Why Strategic Communications is Like Porn
Over the past few years there have been a number of ongoing debates about what is Strategic Communications. In fact, some have even confused the term Public Diplomacy with Strategic Communications. I think that the US Supreme Court Case Jacobellis v. Ohio, 378 U.S. 184 (1964), wherein Justice Potter Stewart in attempting to… Continue reading Why Strategic Communications is Like Porn
Exorcist Diary: Whose Voice in Your Head?
In the midst of sessions, the demons often diss us, especially the exorcist. They try to tear us down, even using sacred symbols. In the past they have criticized me for many things: “You don’t say Mass every day” (I missed a few days); “Some of you here did not go to confession today” (the… Continue reading Exorcist Diary: Whose Voice in Your Head?
Watch: Rand Paul Says “Elitist” Fauci Believes Americans Too Stupid To See Through “Pseudoscience”
Authored by Steve Watson via Summit News, Senator Rand Paul blasted Dr Fauci Wednesday, labelling him “an elitist” who believes Americans are not smart enough to make their own decisions about their health. Appearing on Newsmax, Paul noted “I think it’s this — it’s one-size-fits-all and his idea that the regular people aren’t smart enough… Continue reading Watch: Rand Paul Says “Elitist” Fauci Believes Americans Too Stupid To See Through “Pseudoscience”
How Do SVXY and VXX Work? Volatility (VIX) ETFs Explained
Outright speculation on future volatility is a pretty new phenomenon in financial markets. The mathematization of derivatives markets made traders realize that they’re primarily making bets on future volatility more so than price, which encouraged Wall Street to create more “pure play” products. The primary volatility products in US markets are VIX futures/options, and… Continue reading How Do SVXY and VXX Work? Volatility (VIX) ETFs Explained
Secrets of the Vatican Secret Archives!
Podcast: Download MYS147: Rumors have surrounded the Vatican Secret Archives for ages and some think the Vatican is hiding shameful or shocking secrets. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli explore the history of the Archives, what they contain, and how secret they really are. Get all new episodes automatically and for free:Follow using the RSS feed | Follow using Apple… Continue reading Secrets of the Vatican Secret Archives!
Poem: ‘Turing and the Apple’
Edited by Dava Sobel Nothing’s wholly certain. A half apple lay beside the bed, bites taken out of it, when his corpse was found—though no one really tried to ascertain if it contained cyanide. After he had seen Snow White, off and on he would chant the haggish queen’s vile couplet. Did he dip the… Continue reading Poem: ‘Turing and the Apple’
Making Lock Picks from an Old Windshield Wiper
One person’s trash is another person’s lock pick. It turns out lock picks can be made from nearly anything, as outlined in this post from the ITS Archives, How to Make a DIY Lock Pick from a Windshield Wiper. This DIY project could be a great way to kill some time, but it’s also a… Continue reading Making Lock Picks from an Old Windshield Wiper
China, Russia and ISIS Thank Capitol Rioters For Great Propaganda Content
Neither China’s nor Russia’s incredible propaganda machines could not have turned out the imagery of the riot and thuggery at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. GlobalSecurity.org reported on 8 January “China’s Propaganda Machine ‘Makes Deliberate Use of Washington Violence” (see: http://bit.ly /3ozpRPh) One of the highlights of the article is Foreign… Continue reading China, Russia and ISIS Thank Capitol Rioters For Great Propaganda Content