Science & Society

What does the Neanderthal genome have to with post-apocalyptic science fiction? It may seem like odd inspiration, but Neanderthals have aroused my interest in one of the most venerable genres of science fiction. Last summer I was awaiting the release of The Road movie, reading a piece of classic post-nuclear sci-fi (John Wyndham's 1955 The Chrysalids), and thinking about some recent news stories on the (then) forthcoming Neanderthal genome sequence. I was struck by the thought that the last Neanderthals lived in what could be thought of as a post-apocalyptic world. They were going extinct.…

Conservatives have long lamented the politicization of science.  And why wouldn't they?  Scientists as a bloc haven't voted Republican in decades and when Republicans limit science, there is an outcry (and even whole books!) but when a Democrat limits science the outcry is pretty much limited to ... me.   Conservatives have not, for example, lamented the politicization of talk radio because they do much better there. But even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while and Iain Murray at National Review has come up with a gem, if I can mix metaphors among the Internet's…

In order to get the public more involved in the climate change issue, scientists and activists have to move away from fear-laden imagery of drowning polar bears and flooded cities, according to new research published in Meteorological Applications. The paper explores how new 'visual strategies' can communicate climate change messages against a backdrop of increased climate scepticism. "There have been various efforts to put a face on the climate change issue," said Dr Manzo, from Newcastle University. "Communicators need to move away from the traditional images of polar bears or fear-laden…

A new survey conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University shows that Americans are divided over whether to increase offshore oil drilling, and a majority believes the risks outweigh the benefits. 51 percent of those surveyed said the environmental risks outweigh the benefits; 35 percent think the benefits outweigh the environmental risks. However, opinion among the general population about increasing offshore oil drilling is currently divided with 45 percent in support of increasing offshore drilling and 44 percent opposed. Views about offshore drilling are likely influenced by the major oil…

Wakefield, on the morning he was struck from the register in the UK, appeared on the Today show for an interview with Matt Lauer.Interestingly, in the background before the interview, Lauer notes that the GMC found Wakefield acted "dishonestly and irresponsibly" but leaves out that the GMC also said he acted with "callous disregard." Almost obligatory, don't you think? First off, after that hour-long piece Lauer did last year, coupled with something earlier this year that led me to write the Today show (I forget what it was), I quit watching Matt Lauer. Honestly, none of the reporters'…

  Just a little insight on the final project I'm working on to complete this term. The class is called: Big Ideas in Science:From Methods to Mutation "Applying Scientific Methodology in Everyday life" By           John Warga               Science and Technology has been around from the beginning of time. It evolved from the everyday efforts of people trying to improve their way of life. Throughout history, humankind hasdeveloped and utilized tools, machines, and techniques without…

'Hollywoood's job is not to educate but to entertain and inspire', but it turns out they find science inspirational.  In the Going Hollywood podcast, you can listen (or read) about just how scientists get to, well, Go Hollywood. There are 3 ways for a scientist to enter that bastion of decadence we call "where I'd like to be".  The first is basically a dating service for Movie Makers and Scientists.  Since Nov 2008, Jennifer Oullette has run the "Science and Entertainment Exchange", a National Academies of Science program that is in LA, that tries to match scientists and …

Too often, scientists do an inadequate job of communicating information to the public in a factual, non-technical, credible and neutral format. The authors of a new analysis of science communication in PNAS  say they have developed an effective communication strategy that could help experts connect with the public. "More effective communication is badly needed at almost every level of science," said Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, a research associate in the Department of Zoology at Oregon State University. "It doesn't have to be expensive, but we have to get out of the ivory tower, away from…

Music is omnipresent and plays an enormous role in our everyday lives. It transports us, soothes us, energizes us, evokes memories instantaneously like few things in this world have the power to do (smell being an exception). Music can bind us together and create shared experiences, or it can divide us (metalheads versus country fans). But why? Mark Changizi wrote an excellent article on the origins of music and four hurdles for a scientific theory of music, touching on these questions: why do we have a brain for music; why is music emotionally evocative; why do we dance; and why is music…

Ethics And Evidence The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the use of selected quotes entirely out of their context has been used to 'prove' the opposite of what was said in order to promote a political agenda in the guise of science. In a British court of law it is the duty of the lawyers to assist the court in acheiving a just result. A lawyer is perfectly entitled to show that evidence presented in court points to a particular conclusion, but is not entitled to present false evidence or to hold back evidence in order to support a case.  A lawyer who deliberately cites an…