The release of Don't Look Up around Christmas and Epiphany seems like a gift to sermon writers. The film depicts celestial message of impending doom that too many refuse to look up and see. Well, you know who *did* look up? Some Magi, and what they saw heralded salvation, not doom, for the world. Of course, the film was topical for other reasons. When writer-director Adam McKay scripted the film pre-pandemic, he had no idea that reality was an a collision course with his comedy, forcing him to reportedly alter or cut … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Don’t Look Up at The Matrix
Science Corner: Are We There Yet?
Driving along the Pennsylvania Turnpike this weekend, I experienced quite the assortment of billboards and DIY roadside messages. One that stood out "loudly" proclaimed that carbon dioxide is essential for life. By itself, that statement seems banally accurate. We could of course hypothesize that life elsewhere in the universe (or multiverse?) employs different sorts of chemistry; silicon is a popular first choice for a possible carbon substitute, although it is far from a direct replacement. But life as we know it, and … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Are We There Yet?
Science Corner: Companion to Three Chromosomes in a Trench Coat
If you haven't been following along with Julie Reynolds' delightful series on phenotypic plasticity, I recommend catching up on that first. Julie shared some great real world examples, but not everyone has the opportunity to study overwintering insects like she does. So I thought I'd give you a hands-on example, albeit a simulated one. I've introduced my Quandary Den before. Briefly, players have to 'zap' or 'tag' robots for points, but the players have to evolve their gameplay approach. The versions I've shared before … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Companion to Three Chromosomes in a Trench Coat
Science Corner: Scientific Reformation
My son wrote an essay recently on the cultural antecedents to the French Revolution and declining belief in absolute monarchy. One of the elements discussed was the availability of Bible translations in languages other than Latin, reducing the role of priests as conduits of spiritual authority and raising questions about the parallel role of monarchs as conduits of civic authority. Presently, we have questions about the role of scientists and science in civic life. Do they stem from a similar shift in the public … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Scientific Reformation
Science Corner: A Season of Rest
By the WordPress statistics, this is my 398th post in 9 years (and 9 days). I didn't write every word of those; they include some guest posts and conversations with coauthors. At the same time, they don't include when my Science Corner-style posts were going directly to Facebook in between monthly posts, so things probably balance out. Over that time, we've tinkered in other ways as well, trying book clubs, movie reviews, and interactive live science to go with wide-ranging conversations on science and theology. In that … [Read more...] about Science Corner: A Season of Rest