Guest Thinkers — December 21, 2010

Weekend Reading: or the Star goes to Yemen

For those looking for something to read this weekend, I would recommend this piece by Michelle Shephard of the Toronto Star (and not just because she says some nice things about me.) Michelle and the Star’s photographer, Lucas Oleniuk, spent a lot of time in Yemen and were able to get a great deal of access to former Guantanamo detainees (not the ones currently in AQAP – those are all Saudis.)

There is also this video with some footage and still photos of the detainees and everyone’s favorite Shaykh, ‘Abd al-Majid al-Zindani.

There is, I think, about to be a lot of attention (or at least a lot more) paid to Yemen and Guantanamo and this article is a good place to start for those looking to get an insight into the problem.

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

Business

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

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

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.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

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?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

Our Favorite Cliche: and other errors in reporting

Despite appearances to the contrary – here at Waq al-waq we don’t actually enjoy playing gotcha, well, ok – sometimes we do. But not all the time. Case in point, […]