My travels to places where there are no paths to follow.
In 1968, when I first entered the Philippine Science High School, our science textbooks and even books in the school library were not very strong on astronomy.
But my older brother, Kuya Obet, an avowed astronomy fanatic who was then in his graduating year at the same high school, more than made up for the apparent lack of school books on the subject by buying what his monthly scholar stipend could afford.
Continue reading “Pulsars, women in astronomy, and Kuya Obet”
Situation: There are four kids at the dining table. All four are fierce believers in equal rights. They are also fierce eaters of bananas. But there are only two bananas left. So how to make sure there is peace at the family table during meals?
Solution: The parents don’t intervene. They don’t worry at all. They let the kids work it out among themselves.
Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods. — Christopher Hitchens
My friend Kabsat Kandu is not impressed with Hitchens’ insight. He cites a pithier one by Winston Churchill: “Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.”
“That’s why,” Kandu says, “I’d rather take care of my pigs, which bring me extra income, rather than cats, which steal food from my kitchen.”
