Here is H.G. Wells explaining in his book Anticipations (1901) why the steam engine rather than windmills became preferred for pumping water from low-lying coal mines in England: “Wind was extremely inconvenient for the purpose of pumping, because in these latitudes it is inconstant: it was costly, too, because at any time the labourers might…

At my Anglican church each week there are prayers for world peace. I assume this occurs in all Christian churches. Praying for peace is admirable but a complete waste of time. Christians familiar with the Book of Revelation should know that. The world will end warring. World peace will never arrive. A practical prayer, steeped…

Aside from noting the uncanny resemblance between our media class and the fictional Ellen Ripley’s Aliens – also the topic of my Pan-Galactic Reproductive Preference Studies Doctor of Philosophy – I’ve never given any serious thought to the possibility of extra-terrestrial intelligent life. I have, however, pondered during my now-frequent moments of bafflement at the…