Dave O’Reilly’s Blog

The comet orchid is an orchid with the 12 inch long nectarine that Darwin predicted was pollinated by a moth with a 12 inch proboscis. Here’s a video of the orchid … and the moth!

This video explains the process by which scientists calculate the age of the earth. Hint: It’s not 6000 years!

Robert Anton Wilson describing how the word “is” leads to dogmatic modes of thought. A very interesting little video with (I think) implications for atheism/religious thought. Comments appreciated.

OK world!! That’s enough talking about global warming, time to get down to some serious action now before it’s too late!!!

The risks associated with doing nothing far exceed the risks associated with acting immediately even if there is less than complete evidence for man-made global warming (Note: personally I don’t think there’s any doubt that humans are having a massive effect on the environment).

This video is a little foppish (in an endearing way, I think!), but the point is well made. I admire the author of this video for his action in the face of so much inaction, or agonisingly slow action at best.

Watch the video to find out more…

Good interview!

	Understanding Children’s Development (Basic Psychology) Author: Mark Blades Rating:
Buy this on Amazon right now.
This leading child development text, widely acclaimed for its international coverage and its rigorous research-based approach, has been thoroughly revised and updated: Provides international coverage. Takes a rigorous research-based approach. Now includes an additional chapter on prenatal development and birth. Student-friendly features include detailed case studies, suggestions for further reading, and ideas for classroom discussion. Useful online support material, including multiple choice questions, to accompany this text is available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/ucd.

This is an undergraduate university textbook so it was a bit of an undertaking to read, however I enjoyed it immensely. It provides some great detail into the current state of the art of developmental psychology and insight into children’s thought processes.

This is not a practical guide of any sort, in case anyone buys this thinking it’s a book of advice for parents on raising their children (not that I think parents shouldn’t read it)! The content of this book is much more abstract and scientific.

	The Name of the Rose: including the Author’s Postscript Author: Umberto Eco Rating:
Buy this on Amazon right now.
It is the year 1327. Franciscans in an Italian abbey are suspected of heresy, but Brother William of Baskerville’s investigation is suddenly overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths. Translated by William Weaver. A Helen and Kurt Wolff Book

Took me quite a while to get into this one, but it was very enjoyable.

This is a video on the energy and population crises by an eminent physicist. The video is in 8 parts and I can’t find the entire thing as a single video anywhere, but I thought it was so good that I’m going to post all eight parts. This is the eighth part. I highly recommend watching the entire lecture.

I’m very interested in getting a discussion going on this topic, so please if you have anything to suggest either for or against the content of this video please post a comment. Also if you have any references, websites, videos or books on similar or related topics let me know.

This is a video on the energy and population crises by an eminent physicist. The video is in 8 parts and I can’t find the entire thing as a single video anywhere, but I thought it was so good that I’m going to post all eight parts. This is the seventh part. I highly recommend watching the entire lecture.

I’m very interested in getting a discussion going on this topic, so please if you have anything to suggest either for or against the content of this video please post a comment. Also if you have any references, websites, videos or books on similar or related topics let me know.

This is a video on the energy and population crises by an eminent physicist. The video is in 8 parts and I can’t find the entire thing as a single video anywhere, but I thought it was so good that I’m going to post all eight parts. This is the sixth part. I highly recommend watching the entire lecture.

I’m very interested in getting a discussion going on this topic, so please if you have anything to suggest either for or against the content of this video please post a comment. Also if you have any references, websites, videos or books on similar or related topics let me know.