Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Saudi Shootout

Al-Arabiyya and numerous other outlets are reporting that two al-Qaeda suspects have been killed and other was taken into custody today at a checkpoint in the southern Saudi city of Jazan. MOI spokesman Mansur al-Turki has said that Saudi will be releasing a statement with the nationalities of the suspects soon, but I have yet to see it.

It does appear as though at least two of the men were wearing women’s clothes, including the niqab as a way of avoiding detection, and that there were suicide vests in the car.

I will be in DC for the next few days and so posting will be light, but Waq al-waq will attempt to keep up-dating the news, especially whatever happens around the 14 October anniversary.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

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How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

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Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

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Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

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