David Weis
Bio
I am an atheist, liberal, humanist and skeptic. I care about the world and want to change it for the better and hopefully improve societal well-being along the way. I'm interested in science, history and mythology.
Stories (8/0)
Indigenous Pyramids in the United States & North America
‘Mound-building’ began as much as 5,500 years ago in North America. And many of these so-called mounds, are deserving of a more iconic term to accurately describe their purpose. Indigenous pyramids have been called mounds for centuries. But it’s hardly accurate. While they do appear mound-like, especially following years of weathering and erosion, many of these giant heaps of earth are dismissed as something less impressive than what they actually are through the language we use to label them. Referring to these pyramids as mounds harms the public perception of what these earthen structures are and the significance they held to their ancient builders.
By David Weis3 months ago in History
Why Yahweh Became the World's Dominant Deity
Why bother comparing the god of the Bible to a god of an older, previous dead religion from Mesopotamia? The reasons involve another deity that hits closer to home for the ancient Israelites. That deity is Ba'al. Ba'al was one of the chief deities of the Canaanite religion, and this religion was the precursor to Yahwism and Judaism. Canaanites and Israelites are genetically linked and at some point, a group migrated away from Canaan to found Israel and Judah. It’s reasonable to conclude that they took the myths of Canaan along with them, evident by their worship of the Canaanite pantheon early on.
By David Weis9 months ago in History
Did You Know Old Glass Is Radioactive?
Few people are aware of the many radioactive antiques lurking within their homes. Some of these objects include military compasses, watches, photographic camera lenses, ceramic tiles, tables, lamps, and plates, or as pictured above, the primary object of interest in this article is vintage glassware.
By David Weisabout a year ago in Futurism
Echoes of Weimar: United States And Fascism
A major shock hit America when SCOTUS repealed Roe v Wade. And the warning signs blared with continued republican fueled organized assault on LGBTQ+ people in mostly conservative-leaning states. These attacks on democracy, championed by far-right radicals, follow an era of greater progressive tolerance amidst war and economic instability.
By David Weisabout a year ago in Humans
10 Horror Series Worth Watching This Halloween
Ordered from least to greatest for your convenience. 1. Hemlock grove This show has a solid first season. It’s a high school teen drama mixed with supernatural elements. It’s not perfect, but the performances are strong and the storytelling is interesting. Season 2 is a miss-step, but watchable. Season 3 is a mess and is unsatisfying as a conclusion, but if you’re bored and want to watch a horror-themed show, this is a unique option. Bill Skarsgård, Landon Liboiron, and Famke Janssen do an excellent job in this forgotten early Netflix series.
By David Weisabout a year ago in Horror
Do You Believe In Ghosts?
In the spirit of spooky season, I thought it worth tackling the rarely challenged assertion on the existence of ghosts. The findings of Pew Research in 2009 suggest around 18% of people in the United States claim to have seen a ghost. 18% is no small figure at over 50 million people in the United States who actively claim to have seen spirits. A greater number of U.S. citizens claim to believe in ghosts, at around 41% according to a YouGov study. That’s almost half of the population.
By David Weis2 years ago in Humans
The Dangers of a Wildlife YouTube Trend
I first became aware of sting challenges through the YouTube channel Brave Wilderness, led by Coyote Peterson, a sort of Americanized version of Steve Irwin. Coyote is most notorious for his gauntlet of sting videos from various insects, primarily wasps, where he filmed the effects of those stings and rated their pain levels. His quest was to discover the most painful stinging insect.
By David Weis2 years ago in Humans