# Category: Blog

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### Phineas and Ferb is (an) Epic

01 Nov 2024
Thomas A. Christensen II

“Ancient literary epics often followed a specific structure that centered around an event or journey.” The episode structure of Phineas and Ferb, which has been delighting audiences for decades, is more closely aligned with ancient literary epics than modern hero’s journey novels.

While the term “hero’s journey” was popularized by Joseph Campbell in his work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, the model he proposed is based on archetypes and mythological …

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### My Troubles with nf-core

01 Sep 2024
Thomas A. Christensen II

# My Troubles with nf-core

A blog post about my frustrations and experiences working with the popular nf-core framework in bioinformatics.

## Introduction

As a biologist who has worked extensively with different software tools for analyzing biological data, I have always been impressed by the power and flexibility of the nf-core platform. However, after several years of using and contributing to this excellent toolset, I have come to realize that there are some fundamental issues with the way …

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### Keep EPDs Real

01 Jul 2024
Thomas A. Christensen II

In the world of cattle breeding, there’s a concept that can be both fascinating and intimidating: Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). I’ve come to appreciate the importance of genetics and EPDs in cattle breeding. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what EPDs are, why they matter, and how to keep them real.

## What Are EPDs?

EPDs are a way to measure the genetic differences between animals that can help breeders predict which offspring will be more or less desirable for certain …

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### A Brief History of Medicine (2438)

01 May 2024
Thomas A. Christensen II

I still remember the first time I set foot in the hospital where I would spend most of my working life. It was 2123, and medicine was already a highly advanced field, thanks to the rapid progress made possible by nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. The patient I was assigned to that day was an elderly man who had been suffering from a rare genetic disorder for years. With the help of a swarm of microscopic robots that could repair damaged cells at a molecular level, we were able to …

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### On Baptist habits (or why Baptist churches feel like they're run by the Mafia)

01 Mar 2024
Thomas A. Christensen II

In the grand tapestry of American religiosity, there exists a peculiar breed of Christian denomination that stands out for its unique blend of fervent devotion and…let’s be honest, a hint of authoritarianism. I’m, of course, referring to Baptist churches. Yes, those churches that make you wonder if they’re being run by the Mafia.

Now, before I proceed, let me just clarify that this isn’t an attempt to disparage the good people who worship in these esteemed …

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