THE ECONOMIST EXPLAINS ECONOMICS, DARWINISTICALLY

Darwin even explains how we do our Christmas shopping, according to a piece in today's Economist. 

DARWIN WAS A CONVERSATIONAL 'DEADWEIGHT', SAID MRS DARWIN

Review of a cookbook including recipes by Mrs Emma Darwin. Includes delights such as: "Mrs Darwin said of a dinner party in 1839 that conversation flowed "notwithstanding those two dead weights, viz., the greatest botanist and the greatest geologist in Europe".'

DARWIN DAY OFF?

The Guardian reports on proposals for national Darwin day: most importantly, that it should be a bank holiday. 

MADAM BUTTERFLY

Swedish Crooners the Knife, who wrote the original song which became Jose Gonzalez's massive hit last year, are working on a Darwin-themed opera for 2009.

BLACK COUNTRY DARWIN ART

Wolverhampton is showing works from a Soviet-era museum devoted to pictures of Darwin. 

WORMCOUNT

The Natural History Museum is going to have us celebrating Darwin year by pouring mustard down holes so we can count the number of earthworms that pop up to complain. Roll on March. 

EMMA DARWIN WAS A CLUMPY GARDENER

According to new head man at Downe House, Rowan Blaik. 

RUSSIANS SPOT A CATCH IN OUR CURRENCY

Russia Today reports that the hummingbird alongside Darwin on the £10 note has no right to be there. 

DARWIN'S BIG BEARD GOES ON SHOW

The new Natural History Museum exhibition on Darwin includes such priceless relics as bits of his beard: the Times respond by publishing a list of the ten best beards ever, with CD at number 2. 

DARWIN AGAINST DEMENTIA

Darwin cited in this article about how to stave off decline in brain function in old age: he wished he'd spent more time exercising his mind. 

FLOWER POWER

Darwin's Garden Exhibition begins at the Huntingdon in California, running till January 5th 2009, with lots of rare books and manuscripts. 

BY JOVE I THINK HE'S GOT IT

For those who believe in Eureka moments, Darwin's Galapagos mockingbirds go on display at the Natural History Museum as part of Darwin200. 

THE ORIGINS OF (SECOND) LIFE

Keen internetters can now experience Darwin's voyage of the Beagle virtually, in Second Life.

MOVIE-TIE-IN-TASTIC

Paul Bettany as Darwin in the new movie being made in the UK at the moment.

YEASTILY YOURS

UCL and Imperial researchers claim first eyewitness testimony of sexual selection: in yeast.

BEING SUPERSTITIOUS COULD BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

An Indian news website reports research that superstitions could have evolved as a protective mechanism. 

THE POLITICS OF SIGNS

A museum employee in Northampton has resigned after changes were made to signage in response to a creationist's complaint. 

EVOLUTIONISTS FLOCK TO DARWIN-SHAPED WALL STAIN

For more on this story, see the Onion.