If it walks like Stalin, talks like Stalin, and is trying to rehabilitate Stalin… you get the rest! In a previous article, I pointed out the parallels between the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989) and the current conflict in Ukraine. In the process, I recalled how in recent years, Putin has attempted…

This week, I sat down with noted researcher Caroline Piaulet, a doctoral student at the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (iREx) and the Université de Montréal. Caroline is an astrophysicist who specializes in the study of exoplanets that are between Earth and Neptune in terms of size. These are…

That gem is courtesy of J. Michael Straczynski, famed author, filmmaker, and creator of the cult hit series Babylon 5. If you don’t recognize that one, perhaps this one rings a bell: “Yeah, you say peace. I kinda think you mean the other thing.” I know, these lines sound so…

Nope, not at all. Zelensky was voted in overwhelmingly by the Ukrainians and has received the most marginal support from the U.S. because they feared retaliation from Russia. Yanakovych maintained his hold on power through direct support and manipulation by Putin. Once again, you're pulling the "both sides" and pretending Ukrainians have no voice or agency. You don't need mind reading to know Putin's actions. He's stated them out loud! Since the invasion, he has openly admitted this is about restoring the old Russian empire and USSR. That's not subjective, it's being informed.

A foreign misadventure, mounting losses, a determined enemy, and growing problems at home. Sound familiar? Welcome back! Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the current situation in Ukraine and noting some glaring similarities with previous wars. In the previous installment, I addressed what I saw as the parallels to the Russo-Japanese…

A fictitious timeline of the future, from tomorrow to 1 billion years from now. There’s an old saying by Kierkegaard, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” I’ve heard this adage many times, except that the word “history” was always substituted for “life.” This is…

I’ll spare you the cliche about the failure to learn from history. By now, that quote has been used to death by countless people looking to justify any and all historical parallels (regardless of whether or not they make sense). But lately, I’ve had the growing feeling that there is…

This week, I addressed one of my favorite proposed resolutions to the Fermi Paradox. Known as the “ Berserker Hypothesis” (or deadly probe scenario), this theory states that the reason we haven’t heard from any advanced civilizations is that advanced life is wiped out before long. The theory incorporates advanced…

This week, my guest was science communicator, author, and educator James Maynard, creator and host of The Cosmic Companion. Maynard is what is typically referred to as a “NASA legacy,” a person whose parents worked for NASA. In Maynard’s case, that includes his mother and father, who worked with the…