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February 12, 2013 For the first time in almost 600 years a pope is resigning. Joe Heller notes the timing, while Randy Bish wonders what he'll do next.

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February 11, 2013 The work of Edward C. Tolman broadened our understanding of humanity and paved the way for modern cognitive science. Commentator Tania Lombrozo waves the flag for the man and his ideas.

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February 11, 2013 Conrad H. Waddington helped unite population genetics and developmental biology, laying the foundations for systems biology. Commentator Stuart Kauffman says Waddington was more than merely brilliant; he was human.

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February 11, 2013 This week many will buy chocolates, flowers and sappy cards for their loved ones in celebration of Valentine's Day. We here at 13.7, however, are marking the week in a different way. We'll be celebrating intellectual inspiration with posts each day on figures who have influenced our own views.

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February 11, 2013 President Obama instructed the Justice Department to give Congress access to information about the legal justification and standards for drone strikes targeting suspected terrorists. Manny Francisco believes the attacks are justified, but Jimmy Margulies doubts they're within the president's power.

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February 10, 2013 Hasbro announced it's replacing one of the oldest Monopoly pieces — the iron — with a cat. Steve Kelley is not feline good about the choice, while Nick Anderson reminded us back in 2008 that the financial game is still being played in the same old way.

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February 9, 2013 This week, the French National Assembly has been debating a bill on same-sex marriage and gay adoption. But a small scandal erupted after several lawmakers, who support gay marriage, were spotted playing Scrabble on their iPads during the parliamentary debate.

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February 9, 2013 A snow storm of potentially historic proportions is bearing down on the northeastern U.S. Randy Bish is not expecting a charming Hollywood version, while Dave Granlund suggests that advance preparation can make the ordeal bearable.

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February 8, 2013 We know a great deal about life and its pre-biotic precursors. But do we now understand how life is built from non-life? This is still an open question. Philospher Alva Noë considers this state of affairs in the context of the storm of controversy surrounding Thomas Nagel's book.

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February 8, 2013 The U.S. Postal Service plans to stop delivering first-class mail on Saturdays starting in August to cut expenses. Steve Sack blames congressional mandates for the postal service's woes, while Rick McKee thinks it's the weight of market forces.

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February 7, 2013 Are humans natural hunters? Can animal advocates and people who kill animals for sport comprehend anything of each others' perspectives? Commentator Barbara J. King considers hunting in the United States today.

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February 7, 2013 Kibbeh nayeh is a beloved Lebanese dish made with raw meat. A salmonella outbreak put kibbeh in the news last week — which is a shame, says writer Maureen Abood, because for many Lebanese, kibbeh nayeh means festival and family.

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February 7, 2013 When the White House released a photo of President Obama shooting skeet, cartoonists were quick to the draw. Jeff Parker thinks the image flummoxed Obama's critics on the gun violence issue, while Joel Pett used it to question the president's controversial drone program.

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February 6, 2013 Chuck Hagel's testimony at last week's Senate confirmation hearing didn't quell the controversy over his nomination to be defense secretary. Steve Kelley blames it on the former Nebraska senator's performance, while Clay Bennett doesn't think Hagel got a fair shake from Arizona's John McCain.

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