Check out a superb and judicious piece by Ron Bailey on the ad hominem trashing of Bjorn Lomberg, the author of the riveting book, “The Skeptical Environmentalist.” It’s almost a case-study in how the left is often way too defensive and hostile about critiques of liberal orthodoxy. Real liberals welcome criticism. Phony ones want to shut it down. The piece is on TechCentralStation.com, a great site for those interested, as I am, in the interaction of politics and technology – perhaps the cutting edge of the next generation’s cultural and political debate.
SCIENCE AGAIN: Speaking of science, I’m really proud to have been included in this year’s “Best American Science Writing 2001,” edited by Timothy Ferris. My piece on testosterone – hammered but not disproven by hard-left feminists – is included. But there are some other great pieces in there – from Malcolm Gladwell, Stephen Hall and Joel Achenbach – and even a poem from john Updike. A great Christmas gift (and I get no royalties from recommending it.)
ANTI-ASHCROFT SPIN: Typically sharp item by Mickey Kaus on the Washington Post’s front-page piece, citing old FBI hands’ trashing of Ashcroft’s detention of terrorist suspects. When Mickey’s on, he’s on.
The Dish 