A Creepy Similarity

My father pointed out this strange similarity between my cat, Mo, and an owl. Like Sam Neill from Jurassic Park, I too have a theory of animal evolution. Cats evolved from owls. Or the other way around, it doesn't really matter. Think about it. They both meander around at night and they both eat mice. According to this theory snakes may too be a distant relative. More to come. Keep your eyes on the skies.
THANKS

Over millions of years some animals loose their feathers and wings and replace them with fur and, let's say, whiskers. BAM! SCIENCE!

March 28th, 2009

"Dylan grew up in Hibbing, MN, we’re told here, and while this wasn’t the kind of place that would likely breed major cultural figures, it was still no doubt the sort of locale that might force a restless soul to venture off for someplace better. In Dylan’s case, that “someplace better” was New York City. Dylan describes Hibbing as an unbearably cold and dull region. It was so chilly, in fact, that Dylan believed its weather helped keep the crime rate down. He humorously comments that it was just too cold to commit crime. Instead, this place’s hard existence revolved around just surviving its harsh elements. Survivor minds, not criminal minds, prevailed."
Dan Macintosh on Bob Dylan

A Drake Equation for Lovers

The Drake Equation is used to estimate the possible number of planets in the Milky Way Galaxy with civilized life forms on them. Here is a cool video of Carl Sagan doing a great job explaining it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ztl8CG3Sys
Basically, the equation starts with the total number of stars in the Galaxy. From there you determine which ones have planets, and narrow down which planets are capable of sustaining life. You eliminate prospective planets by multiplying the total number of remaining planets by the fraction of planets that meet specific requirements for sustaining life.
For example, say there are 100 stars in a galaxy. 1/2 of the stars have planets (50 stars left). 1/2 of those planets are the proper distance from their sun in order to sustain life (25 stars). About 1/2 of those planets have the right mixture of elements in their atmosphere (about 12 stars). Only 1/2 of those planets have developed life capable of communication (6 planets). And so on and so on. I by no means understand what it takes to develop life on a planet but I think I have a basic grip on the equation. You start with a large number, apply specific criteria, narrowing the number down over and over again.
The other night I applied the Drake Equation to a more pertinent question: How many possible "loves" are there out there for one person?
You can substitute a variety of words for "loves": "soul mates," "suitors," "partners," etc...
What I did was start with the population of Iowa - Roughly 3,000,000
About 1/2 of those people are women - 1,500,000
I estimate that about 7% (about 1/14) of those women are in the age range of 20-27 - 105,000
About 1/2 have or will have a college degree - 52,500
I'll estimate that 1/4 of those women are single - 13,125
I'm attracted to 1/3 of those women - 4,375
I find 1/3 of those women's personalities pleasant- 1,458
I share common interests with 1/2 of those women - 729
Without going into any other factors yet we've estimated that about .02% of the population is suitable as a possible girlfriend. (more than 7 girls per county)
Now...
Let's say that 1/3 of our remaining population doesn’t mind looking at me too much - 243
1/3 find my personality interesting - 81
We now have estimated that I am compatible with about .002% of the population.
If you believe that we each have just one soul mate then the odds are even more daunting.
We're looking at 1/6,700,000,000 - Not quite bailout numbers but still pretty high.
It's amazing that people beat these odds everyday and fall in love.
THANKS

An Open Letter

Dear Car Full of Dudes who yell out "Faggot" while driving by on Riverside,
I'm not sure what compels you to yell at a complete stranger. As I innocently walk back from the library I simply let my mind wander. I harbor no feelings of hostility towards anyone. In fact, I consider myself a peaceful person. When you drive by and yell at me, I am not personally offended, but I am troubled for the rest of the walk home. It bothers me that there are people like you, Car Full of Dudes, in the world. It bothers me that you get some kind of entertainment from shouting insults at random strangers on the sidewalks. My friends, there is a time and place for that: sporting events.
I don't have much else to say, Car Full of Dudes, but I would like to you think about this: While you yell out "Faggot", consider which activity is more latently homosexual, a lonely man walking down the sidewalk reflecting on his past decisions, or a compact car full of dudes piercingly shouting out cat calls to a moderately attractive male passerby?
THANKS