Matt Young
@opticist.bsky.social
opticist, sometime photographer, evolutionist (yes, that is a word), author of books and articles, retired physics professor, atheist (or at least strong agnostic), contributor to The Panda's Thumb, victim advocate, nudnik
William Trollinger gets it exactly right: rightingamerica.net/whitewashing...
The Pilgrims sailed to obtain religious freedom for themselves, not you and me; see e.g. www.thenation.com/article/soci... and ignore the slightly inflammatory (tho accurate) head.
The Pilgrims sailed to obtain religious freedom for themselves, not you and me; see e.g. www.thenation.com/article/soci... and ignore the slightly inflammatory (tho accurate) head.
Whitewashing History: PragerU’s Thanksgiving
by William Trollinger “The First Thanksgiving- 1621” Painting by Karen Rinaldo. Image via Plymouth400Inc. PragerU is not a university. It is not an accredited educational institution. I…
rightingamerica.net
November 26, 2025 at 4:29 PM
William Trollinger gets it exactly right: rightingamerica.net/whitewashing...
The Pilgrims sailed to obtain religious freedom for themselves, not you and me; see e.g. www.thenation.com/article/soci... and ignore the slightly inflammatory (tho accurate) head.
The Pilgrims sailed to obtain religious freedom for themselves, not you and me; see e.g. www.thenation.com/article/soci... and ignore the slightly inflammatory (tho accurate) head.
Yes, and repeal the ill-named Tabor Amendment (Taxpayers' Bill of Rights). But I wd suggest several brackets below $500K, not one at $500K. Typical rich guy, Gov Polis will probably not support a fair income tax but wd rather "borrow" from PERA. coloradosun.com/2025/11/25/o...
Opinion: Colorado’s continued billion-dollar struggle with state budget is reason we need to shift to graduated income tax
Voters deserve chance to rethink our state spending and change Colorado Constitution to change tax structure.
coloradosun.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Yes, and repeal the ill-named Tabor Amendment (Taxpayers' Bill of Rights). But I wd suggest several brackets below $500K, not one at $500K. Typical rich guy, Gov Polis will probably not support a fair income tax but wd rather "borrow" from PERA. coloradosun.com/2025/11/25/o...
Post run on Panda's Thumb by Joe Felsenstein about what appears to be a completely unqualified academic who changed his mind (gasp!) and now rejects "Darwinism." pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
![Frontispiece to the article. According to Felsanstein, "[this] cartoon, from Wikimedia, dates from 1855. It shows the concrete sculptures of dinosaurs which were created for Crystal Palace Park, after that exposition hall was moved there following the 1851 Crystal Palace Exposition in London. They are not very accurate, but apparently still on display at Crystal Palace Park."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:r2z7tf23unyuxf5n4fodnpr2/bafkreiarnno34h3kbbl4vzlt5vubrvaemzumih3hcsytz2dtbtn5vtemse@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Post run on Panda's Thumb by Joe Felsenstein about what appears to be a completely unqualified academic who changed his mind (gasp!) and now rejects "Darwinism." pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
My discussion of this book on evolution of organisms adapted to living in cities & towns. Author argues that cities & towns worldwide will ultimately have nearly identical floras & faunas. If they have gained a foothold, may we then plant exotic species deliberately? pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM
My discussion of this book on evolution of organisms adapted to living in cities & towns. Author argues that cities & towns worldwide will ultimately have nearly identical floras & faunas. If they have gained a foothold, may we then plant exotic species deliberately? pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Matt Young
When Bill Cassidy voted to confirm the world’s most extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activist as HHS Secretary, he voted to dismantle the US vaccination system. Now Bill has got the sads cuz RFK Jr’s actions are hurting & killing American kids, including in Bill’s own state.
Who could have predicted?
Who could have predicted?
November 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
When Bill Cassidy voted to confirm the world’s most extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activist as HHS Secretary, he voted to dismantle the US vaccination system. Now Bill has got the sads cuz RFK Jr’s actions are hurting & killing American kids, including in Bill’s own state.
Who could have predicted?
Who could have predicted?
Cannot agree more with Nicolais, but Boebert and especially MTG are unfortunately the lunatic fringe of the lunatic fringe. If the Gop abandons him, Trump may become more unhinged or resign and give us Vance when what we will need is a Ford. coloradosun.com/2025/11/16/b...
Nicolais: Boebert bucks Trump over Epstein files, and should be applauded
Despite extraordinary pressure — including a White House meeting — the Colorado congresswoman held firm on her decision to sign the discharge petition.
coloradosun.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Cannot agree more with Nicolais, but Boebert and especially MTG are unfortunately the lunatic fringe of the lunatic fringe. If the Gop abandons him, Trump may become more unhinged or resign and give us Vance when what we will need is a Ford. coloradosun.com/2025/11/16/b...
A nice shot of the aurora the other night by Vivian Dullien, which I posted on Panda's Thumb yesterday. Taken with her cell phone. pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 PM
A nice shot of the aurora the other night by Vivian Dullien, which I posted on Panda's Thumb yesterday. Taken with her cell phone. pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Matt Young
It is readily apparent that most lawmakers in the United States have never been poor; do not know any poor people; have never actually had a conversation with a poor person; and have no clear understanding of how poverty actually affects people’s health and opportunities.
November 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
It is readily apparent that most lawmakers in the United States have never been poor; do not know any poor people; have never actually had a conversation with a poor person; and have no clear understanding of how poverty actually affects people’s health and opportunities.
Interesting photograph by a Panda's Thumb regular, Al Denelsbeck. Not to mention 2 excellent puns in the comments section. pandasthumb.org/archives/202... Denelsbeck is a professional photographer who posts here: wading-in.net
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Interesting photograph by a Panda's Thumb regular, Al Denelsbeck. Not to mention 2 excellent puns in the comments section. pandasthumb.org/archives/202... Denelsbeck is a professional photographer who posts here: wading-in.net
My book report on Mitch Cruzan's book "Looking down the Tree," about human origins, on Panda's Thumb here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202... You may also find Prof Cruzan's preview to his book here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
November 9, 2025 at 4:10 AM
My book report on Mitch Cruzan's book "Looking down the Tree," about human origins, on Panda's Thumb here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202... You may also find Prof Cruzan's preview to his book here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Matt Young
Paul Braterman (@paulbraterman.bsky.social) illuminatingly discusses "Evolution and Creationism in the Age of Trump" for 3 Quarks Daily.
Evolution and Creationism in the age of Trump - 3 Quarks Daily
by Paul Braterman
3quarksdaily.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Paul Braterman (@paulbraterman.bsky.social) illuminatingly discusses "Evolution and Creationism in the Age of Trump" for 3 Quarks Daily.
From Bosley Crowther's 1964 review of Seven Days in May, which was shown on TCM tonight: "The idea [of a military coup] may seem a bit far‐fetched. Coups d’etat happen elsewhere, not here." What might he write today?
GOD BLESS AMERICA; ‘Seven Days in May’ a Stirring Film (Published 1964)
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:10 AM
From Bosley Crowther's 1964 review of Seven Days in May, which was shown on TCM tonight: "The idea [of a military coup] may seem a bit far‐fetched. Coups d’etat happen elsewhere, not here." What might he write today?
I just ran an appreciation of Veritasium's video, Something Weird Happens When You Simulate Lifeless Molecules, on The Panda's Thumb, here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
What's weird is that you get (simulated) life.
What's weird is that you get (simulated) life.
November 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I just ran an appreciation of Veritasium's video, Something Weird Happens When You Simulate Lifeless Molecules, on The Panda's Thumb, here: pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
What's weird is that you get (simulated) life.
What's weird is that you get (simulated) life.
Reposted by Matt Young
We're celebrating a birthday today! Happy 80th to NCSE's first executive director, Eugenie Scott! 🧁
https://ncse.ngo/happy-80th-birthday-genie
https://ncse.ngo/happy-80th-birthday-genie
Happy 80th birthday, Genie! | National Center for Science Education
ncse.ngo
October 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We're celebrating a birthday today! Happy 80th to NCSE's first executive director, Eugenie Scott! 🧁
https://ncse.ngo/happy-80th-birthday-genie
https://ncse.ngo/happy-80th-birthday-genie
Joe Felsenstein just posted this link pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
to a YouTube video featuring Jason (The Failures of Mathematical Anti-Evolutionism) Rosenhouse, a math professor at James Madison University. Felsenstein calls it, "A demolition of creationist information theory."
to a YouTube video featuring Jason (The Failures of Mathematical Anti-Evolutionism) Rosenhouse, a math professor at James Madison University. Felsenstein calls it, "A demolition of creationist information theory."
Mathematician Debunks Creationist Information Theory
YouTube video by Phil Halper (aka Skydivephil)
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Joe Felsenstein just posted this link pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
to a YouTube video featuring Jason (The Failures of Mathematical Anti-Evolutionism) Rosenhouse, a math professor at James Madison University. Felsenstein calls it, "A demolition of creationist information theory."
to a YouTube video featuring Jason (The Failures of Mathematical Anti-Evolutionism) Rosenhouse, a math professor at James Madison University. Felsenstein calls it, "A demolition of creationist information theory."
From one of our Panda's Thumb Photography Contests a year or so ago, an Honorable Mention, "Aragonite Frostwork," by Alan Rice, posted the other day on PT.
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
October 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
From one of our Panda's Thumb Photography Contests a year or so ago, an Honorable Mention, "Aragonite Frostwork," by Alan Rice, posted the other day on PT.
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Matt Young
Lexicographic enshrinement for Eugenie C. Scott's coinage "Gish Gallop"! @eugeniescott.bsky.social
Gish gallop
Gish gallop (sometimes gish gallop or Gish/gish galloping) refers to a rhetorical technique or strategy by which a debater puts forth too many false arguments for their opponent to be able to refute i...
www.merriam-webster.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Lexicographic enshrinement for Eugenie C. Scott's coinage "Gish Gallop"! @eugeniescott.bsky.social
Just ran on Panda's Thumb: "Building Bridges [between Science and Religion] That Can Bear Scientific Scrutiny," by Jamie Jensen, a biology prof at BYU and self-described member of a "conservative Christian religion." Lots of good insight, good comments.
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
October 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Just ran on Panda's Thumb: "Building Bridges [between Science and Religion] That Can Bear Scientific Scrutiny," by Jamie Jensen, a biology prof at BYU and self-described member of a "conservative Christian religion." Lots of good insight, good comments.
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
The Colorado Sun this morning. No further comment necessary:
Former Republican election official buys Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/d...
Former Republican election official buys Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/d...
Former Republican election official buys Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems
The newly formed company, Liberty Vote, also vowed to follow the executive order Trump signed last spring seeking sweeping changes to election policies that multiple judges have put on hold for violat...
coloradosun.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Colorado Sun this morning. No further comment necessary:
Former Republican election official buys Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/d...
Former Republican election official buys Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems coloradosun.com/2025/10/09/d...
2 good articles in Haaretz this morning. Not a peace plan but another cease fire....
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
A rushed Gaza cease-fire under Trump's pressure leaves the toughest questions unanswered
The Cease-fire Halts the War and Frees Hostages, Yet With No Roadmap for Gaza's Future – Its Borders, Leadership or Reconstruction – It Risks Becoming Another Short-lived Lull in a Conflict With No En...
www.haaretz.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
2 good articles in Haaretz this morning. Not a peace plan but another cease fire....
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Another perceptive article by Mike Littwin, in which he notes inter alia that concentrating on health insurance alone may be too slim a reed: A shutdown is dangerous, but for the Trump opposition, it's the only way coloradosun.com/2025/10/05/l...
Littwin: A shutdown is dangerous, but for the Trump opposition, it's the only way
Trump threatens to attack blue states and cities if the shutdown continues. Of course, he was assaulting them before the shutdown.
coloradosun.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Another perceptive article by Mike Littwin, in which he notes inter alia that concentrating on health insurance alone may be too slim a reed: A shutdown is dangerous, but for the Trump opposition, it's the only way coloradosun.com/2025/10/05/l...
Another photograph on Panda's Thumb, a sun dog (parhelion) by my cousin Nicky Turner, taken on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, near her house on the western coast of Italy. (Caused by hexagonal ice crystals; see Greenler, Rainbows, Halos, and Glories, Chap. 2.)
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
September 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Another photograph on Panda's Thumb, a sun dog (parhelion) by my cousin Nicky Turner, taken on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, near her house on the western coast of Italy. (Caused by hexagonal ice crystals; see Greenler, Rainbows, Halos, and Glories, Chap. 2.)
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
pandasthumb.org/archives/202...
Reposted by Matt Young
Agree.
The current SCOTUS—openly corrupt (Thomas, Alito), nakedly unrepresentative (last Dem to appoint a Chief Justice=Harry Truman; GOP-appointed majority for 55+ years), cowering to Trump (John "Roger Taney" Roberts)—has failed to stand up for rule of law.
Needs to be central issue.
The current SCOTUS—openly corrupt (Thomas, Alito), nakedly unrepresentative (last Dem to appoint a Chief Justice=Harry Truman; GOP-appointed majority for 55+ years), cowering to Trump (John "Roger Taney" Roberts)—has failed to stand up for rule of law.
Needs to be central issue.
If rebalancing and reforming this MAGA #SCOTUS is not at the top of the agenda of every Democratic candidates running for federal offices (including the big one) - not sure what are we even doing.
And it needs to be more than an issue page - they need to be campaigning on it.
And it needs to be more than an issue page - they need to be campaigning on it.
the question to ask the republican majority on the court is “what CAN’T trump do?”
September 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Agree.
The current SCOTUS—openly corrupt (Thomas, Alito), nakedly unrepresentative (last Dem to appoint a Chief Justice=Harry Truman; GOP-appointed majority for 55+ years), cowering to Trump (John "Roger Taney" Roberts)—has failed to stand up for rule of law.
Needs to be central issue.
The current SCOTUS—openly corrupt (Thomas, Alito), nakedly unrepresentative (last Dem to appoint a Chief Justice=Harry Truman; GOP-appointed majority for 55+ years), cowering to Trump (John "Roger Taney" Roberts)—has failed to stand up for rule of law.
Needs to be central issue.
Researchers are relieved at Trump’s likely pick for National Cancer Institute | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Researchers are relieved at Trump’s likely pick for National Cancer Institute
Harvard physician-scientist Anthony Letai is poised to head world’s largest cancer research agency
www.science.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Researchers are relieved at Trump’s likely pick for National Cancer Institute | Science | AAAS www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Matt Young
Edward J. Larson offers a characteristically insightful review of a new history of the "intelligent design" movement.
The Flickering Flame of Intelligent Design - Christianity Today
A new study asks why the ID movement hasn’t left a more enduring mark on scientific or religious thought.
www.christianitytoday.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Edward J. Larson offers a characteristically insightful review of a new history of the "intelligent design" movement.