Are Males Really Necessary? Good News for the Future of the Y-Chromosome

Men Can Rest Easy: Sex Chromosomes Are Here to Stay ScienceDaily (May 8, 2012) — Fears that sex-linked chromosomes, such as the male Y chromosome, are doomed to extinction have been refuted in a new genetic study which examines the sex chromosomes of chickens. The study, published May 12 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy [...]

The Origin of Marriage (And the Evolution of Divorce)

While observing a course at a community college, the professor assigned some preparatory survey questions to students on their attitudes toward marriage, divorce, fidelity and their expectations for the future.   The purpose of the discussion, seemingly innocent, served to illuminate the difference between the perceptions of (mostly) unmarried students to the realities of a 50% [...]

Incest: Why is it so Disgusting – and Popular

For reasons yet unknown to me an informal survey of pornography sites shows an interest in incest-related categories.  I don’t have the background to comment on this except to note that society’s most heinous crimes appear to have a large following in sex related sites.  But then it is amazing to see how many different appetites [...]

More Secrets of the Tribe – Yanomamö

This is another cut at one of the more interesting conflicts in contemporary anthropology.  Much has been written; Chagnon is often required reading for cultural anthropology 101 VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY Film Reviews You have free access to this content Secrets of the Tribe John Homiak Article first published online: 19 MAR 2012 DOI: 10.1111/j.1548-1433.2011.01410.x © 2012 by [...]

Women in Combat Arms: I Have Reservations

Women are the propagators of culture:  War dehumanizes culture I am conflicted about allowing women into combat in wartime.  I support their right to serve in any capacity because to be considered for field-grade promotions you have to have your “ticket punched” (to have served in all rotations).  If a woman doesn’t prove herself in [...]

Barney Rossett, Grove Press Founder, Dead at 89, RIP

Barney Rossett, owner of Grove Press, publisher of the Evergreen Review, and hero of my early adolescence is dead at 89 (Feb 23, 2012).  When I was 13 I found the Evergreen Review. Under its influence (it was a literary magazine) I found the influential writers in my life. Perhaps some of its contents were [...]

Jules et Jim: A Look Back at Truffaut’s Best

Oh, how the days of my youth sitting in movie theaters throughout New York City, spring redolent with peanuts, popcorn, and the unique smell that art theaters had.  I watched the films of the day for hours well spent while taking a film production class at NYCC from a confessed “Z”-filmmaker.  And when not.  I [...]

Did Syphilis Exist in Europe Before Columbus?

There is much discussion about the origin of syphilis, whether it came from the new world, or as some say, proof of the disease existed in skeletons found in Pompeii. Forensic anthropology can reveal evidence of bone pitting that is evidence of this disease.  The anthropologist must differentiate between similar diseases such as yaws. Case Closed? Columbus [...]

Eugenics and Forced Sterilization in America

Thousands Sterilized, a State Weighs Restitution Andy McMillan for The New York Times The Eugenics Board of North Carolina sterilized Charles Holt when he was a teenager. By KIM SEVERSON, Published: December 9, 2011 LINWOOD, N.C. — Charles Holt, 62, spreads a cache of vintage government records across his trailer floor. They are the stark facts of [...]

Although Kristof…

Although Kristof alleges that free will and sex addiction exist, I’m not convinced of either but for different reasons. Free will has been widely debated by philosophers for ages and I am satisfied that free will is an illusion in most cases. Reproduction is the prime directive of all living things.  Of course, anything can [...]