Dave O’Hara
@davoh.bsky.social
Professor of Philosophy, Religion, Classics, and Environmental Studies. I study fish and forests, and the cultural ideas that connect them. Current home: South Dakota. Former homes: NY, VT, NM, PA, España. Canon for Creation Care, Episcopal Diocese of SD.
“Lent” is the shortened form of a word that is related to “lengthen.” (As in “the lengthening of days in springtime.”)
Not sure who needed to hear that today, but there it is.
Not sure who needed to hear that today, but there it is.
January 31, 2026 at 2:46 PM
“Lent” is the shortened form of a word that is related to “lengthen.” (As in “the lengthening of days in springtime.”)
Not sure who needed to hear that today, but there it is.
Not sure who needed to hear that today, but there it is.
Some of my fun finds this past year. I started looking for the tiny native lady beetles of South Dakota. And I found some!
This year’s challenge is to get better at macro photographing fast-moving tiny beetles.
#coccinellidae #macrophotography #invertebrates #southdakota
This year’s challenge is to get better at macro photographing fast-moving tiny beetles.
#coccinellidae #macrophotography #invertebrates #southdakota
January 31, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Some of my fun finds this past year. I started looking for the tiny native lady beetles of South Dakota. And I found some!
This year’s challenge is to get better at macro photographing fast-moving tiny beetles.
#coccinellidae #macrophotography #invertebrates #southdakota
This year’s challenge is to get better at macro photographing fast-moving tiny beetles.
#coccinellidae #macrophotography #invertebrates #southdakota
Every time I read about this I think about the Spinal Tap Stonehenge scene.
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial - The Washington Post
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial - The Washington Post
January 31, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Every time I read about this I think about the Spinal Tap Stonehenge scene.
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial - The Washington Post
Trump wants to build a 250-foot-tall arch, dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial - The Washington Post
Tools amplify our intentions -- including the ones we don't know we have.
How Robot Priests Will Change Human Spirituality onezero.medium.com/how-robot-pr...
How Robot Priests Will Change Human Spirituality onezero.medium.com/how-robot-pr...
How Robot Priests Will Change Human Spirituality
If our tools amplify our intentions, we need to question our motivation for developing robots that automate blessings or hearing confession
onezero.medium.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Tools amplify our intentions -- including the ones we don't know we have.
How Robot Priests Will Change Human Spirituality onezero.medium.com/how-robot-pr...
How Robot Priests Will Change Human Spirituality onezero.medium.com/how-robot-pr...
A quick post for my students and colleagues who have just returned from studying abroad. Here’s how to make the most of the next few days.
davoh.org/2013/01/30/w...
davoh.org/2013/01/30/w...
When You Come Home From Studying Abroad
It being the end of our January term, Augustana College …
davoh.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:09 PM
A quick post for my students and colleagues who have just returned from studying abroad. Here’s how to make the most of the next few days.
davoh.org/2013/01/30/w...
davoh.org/2013/01/30/w...
Sketching and journaling for my grandchildren. It’s a small thing, a little resistance against so many other things. But I believe the small things matter immensely.
For the Grandchildren: https://davoh.org/2026/01/27/for-the-grandchildren.html
January 27, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Sketching and journaling for my grandchildren. It’s a small thing, a little resistance against so many other things. But I believe the small things matter immensely.
For the Grandchildren: https://davoh.org/2026/01/27/for-the-grandchildren.html
January 27, 2026 at 11:43 PM
For the Grandchildren: https://davoh.org/2026/01/27/for-the-grandchildren.html
A morning corvid sketch.
I once asked someone named Crow how they got their name.
They replied “It’s a cool bird.”
I thought that was a pretty good answer.
I once asked someone named Crow how they got their name.
They replied “It’s a cool bird.”
I thought that was a pretty good answer.
January 27, 2026 at 1:35 PM
A morning corvid sketch.
I once asked someone named Crow how they got their name.
They replied “It’s a cool bird.”
I thought that was a pretty good answer.
I once asked someone named Crow how they got their name.
They replied “It’s a cool bird.”
I thought that was a pretty good answer.
Reposted by Dave O’Hara
Here's the thing, Greg — free speech is still protected by the First Amendment under the Constitution.
If you want folks to stop saying you're the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people, maybe stop acting like the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people.
If you want folks to stop saying you're the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people, maybe stop acting like the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people.
Bovino: "When politicians, community leaders, & some journalists engage in that heated rhetoric we keep talking about, when they make the choice to vilify law enforcement calling law enforcement 'Gestapo' or using the term 'kidnapping,' that is a choice & there are actions & consequences."
January 26, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Here's the thing, Greg — free speech is still protected by the First Amendment under the Constitution.
If you want folks to stop saying you're the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people, maybe stop acting like the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people.
If you want folks to stop saying you're the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people, maybe stop acting like the secret police who are kidnapping and killing people.
Reposted by Dave O’Hara
I wanted to note that I made a list of all ancient comets from Med antiquity (500 BCE-400 CE) for class a number of years ago. Here is my excel sheet, based on Ramsay, Descriptive Catalogue of Greco-Roman Comets from 500 B.C. to A.D. 400. Syllecta Classica, 17. 2006.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
![Date
Ramsey No. Geographic Associations,Event Sources
Type
481? BCE Sept-Dec.
1 Battle of Salamis (Sept. 480)
Salamis: Plin. NH 2.90 ; Xerxes' Invasion: Lydus, De Mensibus 4.116
Comet
467? BCE
2 Acgospotami- falling meterorite
Diogenes Laertius 2.11; IG XII.5 444.1.72-73; Eusebius, Chron. P.110 (ed. Helm); Aristotle, Mete. 1.7
344b.31-34; Seneca, Natural Questions 7.5.3; Plin. NH. 2.149; Plutarch, Life of Lysander 12.6
Comet
430 BCE
la App.
Plague at Athens, Earthquakes
Manilius, Astronomica, 1.880-1886
Object
426 BCE Jan.-Feb.
3 Recurrence of Plague at Athens,
Earthquakes
[Hippocrates]. Epidemics 4.21; Aristotle Mete. 1.6 343b4-6; Manilius, Astron. 1.880-886
Comet
394 BCE
2a App
Battle of Cnidus
Plin. NH. 2.96
372 BCE Jan./Feb.?
Buris and Helike (Gulf of
4 Corinth) Destroyed, Battle of Leuctra (July? 371)
Helike and Buris: Ephorus, Histories fr. 212 (Seneca, NQ 7.16.2); Aristotle, Mete. 1.6 343b1-4, 18-25, 1.7 344b34-345al; Seneca, NQ 7.5.4; Callisthenes, Hellenica fr. 21; Paus. 7.24.8; Battle of Leuctra: Diodorus Siculus 15.50.1-3; Cic. Div. 2.54.
Comet
350/349 BCE
За Арр.
Warfare in Greece, Philip II
Plin. NH. 2.96-97
Chasma (aurora borcalis?)
346? BCE
5
Plin. NH. 2.90
Comet
344 BCE
Torch of Timoleon / Voyage to
the island of Corcyra to Metapontum
6 Sicily between Lonian Gulf, from Diodorus Siculus 16.66.1, 3; Plutarch, Life of Timoleon, 8.5-6.
Possible Comet
341/0 BCE
7 Storm at Corinth
Aristotle, Mete. 1.7 345a2-5
Comet
303/2 BCE
& Expedition of Lysimachus to Asia IG XII.5.444 (taken with): IG XI.S 444.1.130= FGrH 239 B 25.
Comet
216 BCE
9 Battle of Cannac
Silius Italicus, Punica 8.636-7.
Possible Comet
204 BCE Aug.-Sept.
Second Punic War (later
10 associated with win at the Battle Livy, AUC, 29.14.3;
of Zama)
Comet
203 BCE
11
Second Punic War (observed in Anagnia)
Livy, AUC, 30.2.11
Possible Comet
176 BCE
12 Death of Consul (seen at
Tusculum)
Livy, AUC, 41.16.6
Possible Comet
174 BCE
4a App.
Plague, Observed in the district of Livy, AUC, 41.21.…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:byohyhodi6iknxngf3oypcge/bafkreibhbiio3ugbojwyftsw5acjca2l2eqjlqydwz4jszcghhx3ekvogu@jpeg)
January 26, 2026 at 12:54 PM
I wanted to note that I made a list of all ancient comets from Med antiquity (500 BCE-400 CE) for class a number of years ago. Here is my excel sheet, based on Ramsay, Descriptive Catalogue of Greco-Roman Comets from 500 B.C. to A.D. 400. Syllecta Classica, 17. 2006.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
A government that fears teachers, journalists, and lawyers is one that fears our best stories and our freedom.
It fears the cleansing sunlight, and the practices that keep a democracy alive.
It fears the cleansing sunlight, and the practices that keep a democracy alive.
Teachers, Journalists, Lawyers: https://davoh.org/2026/01/25/teachers-journalists-lawyers.html
January 25, 2026 at 2:12 PM
A government that fears teachers, journalists, and lawyers is one that fears our best stories and our freedom.
It fears the cleansing sunlight, and the practices that keep a democracy alive.
It fears the cleansing sunlight, and the practices that keep a democracy alive.
Teachers, Journalists, Lawyers: https://davoh.org/2026/01/25/teachers-journalists-lawyers.html
January 25, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Teachers, Journalists, Lawyers: https://davoh.org/2026/01/25/teachers-journalists-lawyers.html
Study Abroad Journals: https://davoh.org/2026/01/25/study-abroad-journals.html
January 25, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Study Abroad Journals: https://davoh.org/2026/01/25/study-abroad-journals.html
Reposted by Dave O’Hara
It sometimes feels ludicrous to study literature when jackbooted thugs are murdering people in the streets and shipping innocent people to camps. But if I'm going to be an academic in such a moment, at least I get to study this.
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 AM
It sometimes feels ludicrous to study literature when jackbooted thugs are murdering people in the streets and shipping innocent people to camps. But if I'm going to be an academic in such a moment, at least I get to study this.
Reposted by Dave O’Hara
Meanwhile, Esri's popular climate action MOOC opens on Feb 18. Explore how GIS is uniquely suited to address our changing planet. I’m pleased as hostess to guide you thru this free, 6-week course, that features @globalecoguy.bsky.social + @katharinehayhoe.com
Save your spot → ow.ly/7jiJ30sS4i6
Save your spot → ow.ly/7jiJ30sS4i6
January 24, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Meanwhile, Esri's popular climate action MOOC opens on Feb 18. Explore how GIS is uniquely suited to address our changing planet. I’m pleased as hostess to guide you thru this free, 6-week course, that features @globalecoguy.bsky.social + @katharinehayhoe.com
Save your spot → ow.ly/7jiJ30sS4i6
Save your spot → ow.ly/7jiJ30sS4i6
Reposted by Dave O’Hara
A few other quick shots from the protest:
January 23, 2026 at 6:26 PM
A few other quick shots from the protest:
One of my Environmental Studies majors is looking for a summer experience (job, internship) in urban composting. Got any suggestions for where she might look?
January 23, 2026 at 2:25 AM
One of my Environmental Studies majors is looking for a summer experience (job, internship) in urban composting. Got any suggestions for where she might look?
More birds: https://davoh.org/2026/01/20/more-birds.html
January 21, 2026 at 3:13 AM
More birds: https://davoh.org/2026/01/20/more-birds.html
Pen, from the Latin for “feather”: https://davoh.org/2026/01/20/pen-from-the-latin-for.html
January 20, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Pen, from the Latin for “feather”: https://davoh.org/2026/01/20/pen-from-the-latin-for.html
It’s almost funny that Plato warned us about this 25 centuries ago.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin bought up to $50K each in Raytheon stock (RTX) & Chevron (CVX) just days before the U.S. strike on Venezuela—
Mullin sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee — I’m sure it’s just a coincidence..
Mullin sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee — I’m sure it’s just a coincidence..
January 20, 2026 at 12:32 AM
It’s almost funny that Plato warned us about this 25 centuries ago.
Today I have written half a dozen letters of recommendation for my students. I know these students well and I take the writing of letters seriously.
But for the first time in three decades of writing these letters I am asking myself will anyone read them?
But for the first time in three decades of writing these letters I am asking myself will anyone read them?
January 19, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Today I have written half a dozen letters of recommendation for my students. I know these students well and I take the writing of letters seriously.
But for the first time in three decades of writing these letters I am asking myself will anyone read them?
But for the first time in three decades of writing these letters I am asking myself will anyone read them?
LEX INIUSTA NON EST LEX
"How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?" The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "An unjust law is no law at all."
Happy Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day!
Happy Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day!
January 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
LEX INIUSTA NON EST LEX
Three swallows do not make a spring: https://davoh.org/2026/01/19/three-swallows-do-not-make.html
January 19, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Three swallows do not make a spring: https://davoh.org/2026/01/19/three-swallows-do-not-make.html