Ring Species, Salamanders, and Romance
The Ensatina salamanders of California form a living ring species, revealing how asymmetric love lives and evolutionary misfires can teach us about speciation.
Timar Ross
The Horse’s Teeth Parable: Reflections on Empiricism, Attribution, and Historical Authorship
A humorous parable about counting a horse's teeth reveals how critical inquiry—and a good look in the barn—can outdo centuries of inherited authority and forged authorship.
High Places, Big Moves: How Jerusalem Became the Only Game in Town
Before Jerusalem became the one true worship site, Israelites burned offerings to Yahweh all over the place—on hills, in towns, even at Arad. It took kings, scrolls, and smashed altars to centralize the faith.
That Time When Chemosh Beat Yahweh (Bad)
In 2 Kings 3, Yahweh seems poised for victory—until the Moabite king sacrifices his son, and Israel retreats. Did Chemosh just win a battle against the God of Israel?
Dionysus and Jesus: The Copycat Claim That Doesn’t Hold Water (Or Wine)
The idea that Jesus is just Dionysus in disguise is a modern myth built on bad history and worse memes. No virgin birth, no crucifixion, no spiritual sequel. Dionysus made wine, Jesus made wine—end of list.