Wes Phillips

A Catalan Treat for Your Barbecue

Wes Phillips Jul 04, 2006 First Published: Jul 04, 2006

Yeah, yeah, we all know that you grill burgers'n'brats on the Fourth, but that only takes a few minutes and then yo have all those coals going great. What to do with that lovely fire? Here's a non-intuitive dish that will excite absolutely no one—until they taste it! Then you won't have made enough.

Wes Phillips

Beer Here!

Wes Phillips Jul 04, 2006 First Published: Jul 04, 2006

What's the Fourth without beer? Here's a gallery of microphotographs of the world's most famous beers. I think they're beeyootiful.

Wes Phillips

The Declaration of Independence

Wes Phillips Jul 04, 2006 First Published: Jul 04, 2006

I grew up in Charlottesville, VA, in the shadow of Monticello and a few blocks from UVA, Mr.Jefferson's university, so I always felt a tad proprietary about the Fourth of July. Schoolchildren in Charlottesville were pretty much taught that the Revolution was Thomas Jefferson and some other guys against King George.

Wes Phillips

FOIA Turns 40

Wes Phillips Jul 03, 2006 First Published: Jul 03, 2006

Jimmy Carter says happy birthday FOIA and tells us why we need less secrecy, not more.

Wes Phillips

Music For One Apartment and Six Drummers

Wes Phillips Jul 03, 2006 First Published: Jul 03, 2006

So that's why my apartment is always a mess when I get home!

Wes Phillips

You Had Better Stop and Think Before You Think, Think!

Wes Phillips Jul 03, 2006 First Published: Jul 03, 2006

While we're thinking about thinking, think about this: Recent research confirms that animals have language, experience complex emotions, and can apply abstract reasoning—including the assimilation of previously acquired information—to problem solving. So why do we think we're so special?

Wes Phillips

Confirmation Bias

Wes Phillips Jul 03, 2006 First Published: Jul 03, 2006

My buddy John Atkinson likes to say that what makes science work is not simply the measurement of observed phenomena, but the scientist's refusal to believe those measurements. I once asked him if he'd teach me to do audio measurements and he said no, "because you'd believe the measurements—a good scientist knows the measurements are trying to lie to him."

Wes Phillips

Who Will Watch Watchmen?

Wes Phillips Jun 30, 2006 First Published: Jun 30, 2006

Well, I would—if Hollywood could get it as right as these amateurs. But then, Amateur means doing it out of love and that's where Hollywood falls down when it makes movies out of comic books, um, I mean graphic novels.

http://www.youtube.com/v/QijL6PbUED8"> src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QijL6PbUED8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">

Wes Phillips

It's a Matter of Perspective

Wes Phillips Jun 30, 2006 First Published: Jun 30, 2006

I've seen lots of links to the article on LiveScience about ants counting their steps in navigating the shortest route between two points. Ho hum, I thought, I had a cow-orker who did the same thing when deciding which route to take to the bathroom at work—and he was way dumber than an ant.

Wes Phillips

Bagheera the Trainer

Wes Phillips Jun 30, 2006 First Published: Jun 30, 2006

Bagheera demonstrates how to supercharge the obliques. That girl is flexible!