To Hobbit or not to Hobbit?

Remember the Hobbit-like remains found in a cave on Flores, the island east of Bali and midway between Asia and Australia? It looks as if our recent understanding of Homo floresiensis is being challenged. Here's the latest news from the last few days:

*"Hobbit Hubbub:New study stirs debate over mini human species" at ScientificAmerican.com
*"Time to Slay the Hobbit?" at ScienceNow.com
*"The 'Hobbit' is just a pygmy after all, claim scientists" at The Telegraph
*"The Hobbit Wars Heat Up" at Time.com
*Claim of 'Hobbit' Species Discounted" at LiveScience.com


In other news, happy birthday to science fiction giant Ray Bradbury, who turned 86 yesterday.

In his honor, two quotes for the day:

"There was always a minority afraid of something, and a great majority afraid of the dark, afraid of the future, afraid of the past, afraid of the present, afraid of themselves and shadows of themselves."
Ray Bradbury, The Martian Chronicles, "Usher II"

"We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"
Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451