The MuseStand Blog

Certainly, the most disheartening thing about news reporting is not knowing whether the entire story is being told, in order to achieve an agenda, but Max remains hopeful!   

Organoids are tiny clusters of cells derived from stem cells.  The Harvard Stem Cell Institute has an informative news article about organoids here.  Science is clearly nowhere near being able to transplant a fully functional brain to replace what we have, but organoids will likely prove instrumental in being able to broaden the study of brain disease.    

Wow... Finn means business!

Landon knows how to use his engineering chops to build himself an advantage while poking fun at Finn, our budding theoretical physicist.  But don't completely dismiss Finn!  He's got something extra special in store for Landon. 

March is National Reading Awareness Month, so try to read more!  You don't want to end up a dinosaur!  Aristotle is certainly staying on point.

Max and Finn's mom won't let them eat GMO foods.  She's just not convinced the FDA has required enough studies to prove they're safe.  She's a big believer in locally grown produce and buys organic as much as possible!

Why have many countries, particularly in Europe, banned GMO's?  Do their scientists know something we don't?  Spending a bit of time with Dr. Google might reveal some interesting information. 

This strip was inspired by news that scientists have engineered a biochemical shortcut for the energy-expensive process known as photorespiration, published in the journal Science, and reported here. It has the potential for increasing crop yields by 40%. 

Lefty's 'choice four-letter word' is ciao... c'mon people!   

Photo News Story | The MuseStand

Satire - The MuseStand

When their source of profits is the hammer...  After all, corporate boards have an unsullied record of environmental advocacy and goodwill overall.  Of course we should help bees cope with their struggles.  Why stop with bees?

In this strip, I introduce 2 new characters to the Think Shop Family, Lefty and Shifty, lab mice who will complement kid scientists Max, Finn, Landon, and Penelope in their journey of scientific inquiry and self-discovery.  I look forward to developing their little personalities.      

Photo News Story | The MuseStand

Satire - The MuseStand

Nukes and climate change are the two biggies. 

Don't believe we're changing the environment?  Perhaps.  But is it smart to axiomatically disregard the possibility?  Admittedly, I'm no expert on the topic.  But the downside seems too risky, potentially catastrophic, if the naysayers are later proved wrong.  I  firmly believe scientific advancements will (again) save the day.     

This comic strip was just published in the February Issue of Story Monsters Ink, a must-have literary resource for teachers, librarians, and parents, and required reading for its insightful interviews, book reviews, and the always thoughtful monthly column by acclaimed author James Patterson! 

As for the strip, Penelope's gestures are unquestionable, she likes Finn.  But he doesn't reciprocate.  Is he purposefully avoiding Penelope's moves, or is he just oblivious?   

I have no problems with business education... I took business classes myself.  Personally, I think science is where it's at.  Scientific research has accounted for the most profound improvements in the human condition.  Science, technology, and mathematics reveal how the natural world works.  Engineering helps translate this knowledge into practical, and sometimes life-saving uses.  There's no equivalent in the business world, with the possible exception of financial engineering, and we all know how deeply exceptional that's turned out.  Creating money out of thin air... yippee ki-yay!
    

Penelope's feelings for Finn are real, but he can be so dense sometimes.  He clearly needs to quit burying his face in books, get out more, experience the world a little... and, admittedly, so do I.     

Photo News Story | The MuseStand

Satire - The MuseStand

I wonder what sort of self-serving plans are brewing in Washington to take advantage of the government shutdown.  No doubt characters on both sides are actively plotting.

What a psychedelic experience it'd be to one day walk into the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and see a rock concert underway, of the sort described above.  I'd think I had lost my mind, or perhaps taken in some strong passerby whiffs of Washington Square Park vapes.  This natural history museum will forever hold a place in my heart as it was one of the few escapes, within the city, where I could break from the chaos and cacophony of sounds that is New York.       

Photo News Story | The MuseStand

Satire - The MuseStand

It's that time of year, thinking about new year's resolutions!  Whether it's breaking bad habits or creating new, better habits, most of us want to improve at least one thing about ourselves.  What better way than to stop beating ourselves up for falling off the wagon, because it's going to happen.  It's an inevitability.  One of my resolutions for 2019 will be to not beat myself up too badly when I stumble.  Oh, and one other thing... engineers are real scientists!  Cheers!        

You can find almost anything on Amazon, including Christmas light necklaces and headlamps with color filters.  Seems like Rudolph's days as head reindeer are numbered!  Merry Christmas y'all!  

I love puns and I love math!  Nothing more to say.  Enjoy!

I find it rather amusing that people outfit their cars with antlers and a red nose around the holidays.  It's  certainly one way to express your festive inclinations ahead of Christmas.  One problem I suspect might come up is illustrated above.  Not sure how to remedy the situation.  Any ideas?  

Santa had to appear in traffic court and plead his case to the judge.  Hopefully, reason will prevail.

It's the holiday season, my favorite time of year!  Family, great food, and festivities are just the beginning... hot coco, warm PJ's, a cozy fireplace, and a good book pretty much rounds off the list.  In today's strip, we see that Max still believes in the spirit of Christmas which is shaped by his passion for science.  His innocence and naivete, being an 8 year old, makes for an adorable character... I really love telling his story in this strip!  

... and for the colored (airbrush) sketch!

​Christmas is my favorite time of year.  Enough said.  

For the upcoming December 1st Think Shop strip, I sketched Max judiciously listing all the presents he wants Santa to deliver on Christmas Eve.  He seems pretty confident that he's deserving of all that he writes down.

We'll see exactly what he's written on December 1st.  So keep following!