Author. Thinker. Other things.
A note to my friends and subscribers, this post is to let you know that I’ve started to publish my posts on Substack. The channel is The Attentive Naturalist I’ll continue to put a preview on my blog so you can always keep in touch with what I’m writing about. It’s still free, so all... Continue Reading →
Nero's catastrophic reign was less the product of individual pathology than of a political system that had already dismantled its own accountability. Grandiose narcissism shaped his psychology, but Rome created the conditions in which that psychology could operate unchecked for fourteen years.
The tapestry "Rabbit-Hunting with Ferrets" illustrates medieval cooperation with nature, highlighting ecological wisdom and partnerships essential for survival, while prompting modern reflections on sustainable practices and human-nature relationships.
A viral story about a man killed by a hippo leads to ancient fables of scorpions, lions, and instinct. These tales reveal less about animals than about human fears, cultural distance from nature, and the myths modern societies still use to navigate uncertainty.
Ivan the Terrible ruled through fear mistaken for strength, converting childhood trauma into absolutism. His paranoia dismantled institutions, devastated Russia, and proved that unchecked power amplifies insecurity, rewards cruelty, and destroys states claimed to protect.
A Cedar Waxwing at my window becomes a personal reckoning with invisible glass, unintended design, and how modest, practical changes at home can spare countless birds unnecessary deaths.
Ancient cultures celebrated solstices for their significance in natural cycles. The relationship between day length and temperature reveals seasonal lag, influenced by Earth's heat storage and climate change.
This article explores how cardinals perceive their environment, and how they explore their place in it, especially with respect to color.
The analysis explores how Emperor Palpatine's narcissism drove his destructive leadership, fostering a culture of flattery and manipulation that ultimately led to his downfall through disillusionment, not rebellion.
The club-winged manakin, a small South American bird, produces unique wing-generated sounds for courtship, trading flight efficiency for the ability to attract females with precise stridulation.
ERIC DORFMAN 