When a SpaceX rocket explodes, they call it an “anomaly”
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When a SpaceX rocket explodes, they call it an “anomaly”

SpaceX tested its crew capsule’s abort system on Saturday and it exploded. They described it as an “anomaly.” Is that accurate or misleading? SpaceX designed the crew capsule so it could send astronauts into space (so far it has only carried cargo). The system it tested on Saturday was for the “inflight abort” — a…

Lessons from the plain, damning grand jury report on priests in Pennsylvania

Lessons from the plain, damning grand jury report on priests in Pennsylvania

A grand jury in Pennsylvania accused more than 300 priests of sexually abusing more than 1000 children, over a period of decades. The grand jury’s 1356 page report is an amazing document, a model for clarity of description in an emotionally charged environment. I don’t clearly understand who writes documents like this or how. I’m…

Deathly euphemisms: “rest in peace” and “thoughts and prayers”
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Deathly euphemisms: “rest in peace” and “thoughts and prayers”

Death is a fact of life. Sayings like “rest in peace” and “our thoughts and prayers are with the victims” are euphemisms: they enable us to go on without thinking about death. Not thinking about death can help us cope, but let’s not imagine that we’re actually saying anything when we say these things. I’ve been thinking…