Reminder: We'll have a final video chat to discuss this book next Thursday evening (8/3 9pm EDT). For those just joining us, I've spent the past few weeks blogging through Shawn Otto's The War on Science, share my reactions and thoughts a couple of chapters at a time (Ch 1-2, Ch 3-4, Ch 5-6, Ch 7-8, Ch 9-10, Ch 11-13). I thought a useful way to cap that discussion would be to review and reflect on the book as a whole. Overall, I thought the book contained a lot of useful information and was admirable in its attempt … [Read more...] about Science Book Review: The War on Science
science in review
Science in Review: Taxi Cab Science
Last week I had the opportunity to attend a science writing workshop organized by Christianity Today. I wrote a few pieces for their e-magazine The Behemoth and since they are now looking to expand their science coverage in their main magazine, they kindly invited me to participate. I appreciated the opportunity to reflect in a more focused fashion on my role as a science communicator, on the promotion of science versus the practice of science, and on what readers want and need from science coverage. After a day and … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Taxi Cab Science
Science in Review: Taking Science into the Streets
On Saturday, for Earth Day, activists in 600 cities around the world assembled in support of science education, science funding and science-driven policy. I participated in the Pittsburgh event. I wanted to express my support for common goals. I wanted to participate with my local science and technology community, which has provided me with education and employment and has been a vital part of the region in the post-steel era. And I wanted to experience the event for myself, to see who would be there and hear what they … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Taking Science into the Streets
Science in Review: The Evolving Healthcare Market
How do we provide the best possible healthcare for the most people and how do we pay for it? Those are not purely scientific questions, but I have some personal and professional interest in how we answer those questions, as a healthcare consumer and someone whose job connects to the health sector at multiple points. Last week's nonvote on a replacement for the Affordable Care Act was undoubtedly a milestone in the conversation about those questions, but it was not the final word by any stretch. Healthcare costs continue … [Read more...] about Science in Review: The Evolving Healthcare Market
Science in Review: Pleistocene Park
Earlier this month, we looked at some man-made extensions to the bacterial genetic code. If that story got you worried about Dr. Frankenstein, you're going to love last week's announcement. Harvard biologists believe that within two years they will be able to create a woolly mammoth-African elephant hybrid embryo. Bringing back the mammoth is part of a larger program of "de-extinction" to explore the possibility of bringing back various extinct species, at least some of which we humans are responsible for eliminating. … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Pleistocene Park