Humanity
Fumfer Physics 40: Cosmic Ratios, Large Numbers, and the Information Structure of the Universe
In this exchange, Scott Douglas Jacobsen asks Rick Rosner about striking ratios in physics that appear across vastly different scales. Rosner points to large-number disparities, such as the enormous strength difference between electromagnetism and gravity at the particle level, and contrasts microscopic lengths with the scale of the observable universe. He cautions against misapplied figures, noting that some famous numbers belong to entirely different physical contexts. While no single cosmic object strikes him as anomalous, Rosner emphasizes unresolved questions about cosmic maturity, heavy-element origins, and the nature of time. He ultimately frames time as closely tied to information flow, arguing that our lack of a rigorous definition of information remains one of physics’ deepest gaps.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsena day ago in Interview
Smart buildings of glass
Whether you are arriving to or departing from Helsinki Airport, the first thing you notice is the glass around you and the characteristic Finnish design. If you pay attention, you will find yourself believing there are some forest elves watching you. The impressive structure features glass that playfully illuminates the wood present everywhere.
By Susan Fourtané 5 days ago in Interview
Living in a hemp house. Top Story - January 2026.
Hemp, a multi-purpose crop that delivers fibres, shivs, seeds, and pharmaceuticals is currently used in insulation materials and bio-composites for a more sustainable construction industry. Russ Martin and his wife Karon Korp tell their story as owners of the first hemp house in the U.S.
By Susan Fourtané 7 days ago in Interview
The Real Life of Women in the Adult Film Industry
The adult film industry occupies a strange place in modern society. It is widely consumed yet rarely understood, openly discussed yet deeply stigmatized. For many viewers, adult films are reduced to moments of fantasy—carefully edited scenes designed to provoke desire and escape. What remains invisible is the reality of the women behind those performances: their lives, struggles, ambitions, and contradictions.
By Dipayan Biswas9 days ago in Interview
Rabbi Debra Bennet on Jewish Community, the Ethics of Belonging, and Building Inclusive “Third Spaces” at a JCC
Rabbi Debra Bennet is the Director of Jewish Life & Learning at the Mid Island Y JCC in Plainview, NY. Ordained in 2007, she has served as Rabbi Educator at Temple Beth Torah in Melville and Associate Rabbi at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, where she developed programs to engage teens and strengthen the Jewish community. Rabbi Bennet focuses on the ethics and practice of belonging, fostering dialogue across differences, navigating pastoral and communal challenges, and creating inclusive, connected communities in synagogues, schools, and Jewish organizations.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen10 days ago in Interview
Is This the Rights' Fight? Wrong Turn on Right 5: Charlie Kirk Case, Prosecutor Disqualification, and Israel Debate
Irina Tsukerman is a human rights and national security attorney based in New York and Connecticut. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in National and Intercultural Studies and Middle East Studies from Fordham University in 2006, followed by a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 2009. She operates a boutique national security law practice. She serves as President of Scarab Rising, Inc., a media and security strategic advisory firm. Additionally, she is the Editor-in-Chief of The Washington Outsider, which focuses on foreign policy, geopolitics, security, and human rights. She is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Bar Association’s Energy, Environment, and Science and Technology Sections, where she serves as Program Vice Chair in the Oil and Gas Committee. She is also a member of the New York City Bar Association. She serves on the Middle East and North Africa Affairs Committee and affiliates with the Foreign and Comparative Law Committee.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen13 days ago in Interview
Inside Oprah Winfrey’s Anti-Aging Lifestyle: How She Slows Time Through Habits, Not Age
There’s a certain stillness to Oprah Winfrey that people notice before they ever comment on how she looks. A steadiness. A calm authority that doesn’t rush to fill silence. When conversations turn to aging, this is usually where they land—not on numbers, not on years, but on presence.
By Darryl Hudson13 days ago in Interview
10 Minutes with Bill Gates
Introduction Spending 10 minutes with Bill Gates may sound brief, but even a short conversation with one of the world’s most influential innovators can offer insights that last a lifetime. As the co-founder of Microsoft, a philanthropist, an author, and a global thought leader, Bill Gates has shaped how the world uses technology and how it addresses some of its most pressing challenges. In just ten minutes, one could explore decades of experience in innovation, leadership, failure, success, and global responsibility.
By shaoor afridi21 days ago in Interview
T. Michael W. Halcomb on Disillusionment, Community, and Accountability in the Modern Church
T. Michael W. Halcomb is an American professor, author, podcaster, and stand-up comedian. He is the author of around 30 books, an educator with five degrees (including a PhD), and a frequent academic presenter with nearly 100 conference presentations. He co-founded GlossaHouse in 2012, a publishing house focused on language-learning resources, especially biblical languages. He gave a TEDx talk, "Silent no more: Resurrecting dead languages," in Evansville, IN in October of 2015. His comedy work has been featured in outlets such as Yahoo! Entertainment, TheWrap, and The Mirror US.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsenabout a month ago in Interview
Ben Sasse Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis: Former Senator's Stage 4 Health Update
In a raw and deeply personal announcement that has resonated far beyond the political arena, former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse revealed a devastating health update: he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The 53-year-old Republican stated plainly, “I’m gonna die,” framing his prognosis within a universal truth about mortality. This news about the Ben Sasse pancreatic cancer battle has shifted conversations from political tactics to profound human vulnerability.
By Waqar Khanabout a month ago in Interview
