This series of videos goes in-depth into the biochemistry and physiology of nutrition and metabolism. Starting with a quick primer on the general chemistry concepts needed to understand the basics of biochemistry and metabolism, I then go on to introduce all the key players involved – the macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids and fats, amino acids and protein, and then nucleic acids and DNA) and micronutrients. After going through the biosynthesis of all the vitamins, as well as chemical properties of the minerals, I will then go into digestion, absorption, and metabolism, following the various molecules and metabolites throughout the body.
Are ‘Possible Worlds’ Possible?
In recent decades, the idea in modal logic and metaphysics of possible worlds has become a widely used tool in philosophy. But are the hypotheticals discussed using possible worlds even, well, possible? To test this idea, I am going to try to construct an idea of possible worlds by way of mathematical models for making adjustments to the world as understood in both a metaphysically materialist/physicalist sense as well as what assumptions must be present for immaterialist/spiritualist claims to be true.
Is COVID-19 a Cardiovascular Disease?
I made a Youtube video explaining the effects that SARS-CoV-2 has on the cardiovascular system. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is named after being a severe acute respiratory syndrome, indicating its connection to breathing and the lungs. But studies show that the Coronavirus also has a potential for devastating cardiovascular effects, resulting in inflammation, coagulopathy, thrombosis, and (interestingly enough) thrombocytopenia. The risk of these cardiovascular effects is increased by pre-existing conditions, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
New Video Series: Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason
Interested in Immanuel Kant’s “Critique of Pure Reason” but find it too difficult to understand? I’m making a playlist where I’ll explain it as simply as possible. First video out now!
What Does the Mind Tell Us About Mind-Independent Reality?
Immanuel Kant famously turned the empiricism-rationalism debate on its head by proposing that, instead of our mental representations of reality having to conform to objective reality, it is objective reality that must conform to our mental representations (if such objects are to be represented at all). Kant, of course, was steeped in ideas that the categories of understanding, which shape our experience of the external world, issue from some transcendental apperception – essentially a soul, or unique human rationality.
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COVID Vaccine: What does it do? Does it do anything? Let’s find out.
I made a video going over some of the basic biochemistry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and how the Pfizer/BioNTech BNT162b2 RNA vaccine is supposed to work.
Resources and References:
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Nutrition and Metabolism Videos on Youtube
I’ve recorded and uploaded some videos covering the biochemistry of nutrition and metabolism. I will be continuing to add more videos on the subject, covering many areas related to nutrition and metabolism.
My pedagogical strategy is to start with a quick overview of general chemistry concepts that will be helpful for the biochemistry to come. I then introduce the various nutrients of interest – carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, vitamins, and minerals – before then following these molecules through digestion, absorption, and metabolism.
You can find the playlist here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoGNazL8lN4BUdBeRhZR7OlAsC46kokmF
My Youtube channel is here:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCEMOrInHlJ8Isl4uti-S13A
Here is the first video:
Why I Voted Third Party
During these declining days of the U.S. Empire, everything has become politicized. People demand political participation, if not full on activism (for their preferred positions, of course), from celebrities, corporations, and family members alike. The politicization of everything is, of course, a prelude to totalitarianism: your every action has political implications, and therefore you must always be virtue signaling, demonstrating your loyalty to the cause. My own deep-seated cynicism about politics has been a blessing and a curse. And it’s also why I voted third party.
Why do Humans Care About Fame?
Humans seem to be evolutionarily predisposed towards interest in what other people are doing, since this has allowed for the social cohesion that’s been instrumental to our survival. There is also an element that, the more other people there are who care what a particular person says and does, the more people will care what that particular person says and does, creating a positive feedback loop. Social status in the form of notability must have developed as a way of attaining reproductive access.
Second Video Trailer for Incarnate: Schism
Book 3 in my Incarnate Series will be available tomorrow on Amazon as both e-book and paperback.
Is the Flu as Bad as COVID?
It seems the idea that COVID is only as bad as the Flu is becoming popular again. Is this true? Let us look at some numbers.
Life on Venus: Proposed Biochemistry of Venusian Life
The possible detection of phosphines in the atmosphere of the planet Venus has sparked interest in possible biogenesis of the compound. In other words, there may be microscopic extraterrestrial organisms living up in the Venusian clouds. This would be an amazing discovery. But, it also raises the question about what sort of biochemistry such organisms (if they exist) utilize in their Venusian flavor of metabolism. Here I will make some speculations about this.
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