Guest Thinkers — August 16, 2010

Notes on Inherit the Wind Screening at AFI Theater

About 400 people packed the classic AFI Theater last night for the NIH-sponsored screening and discussion of Inherit the Wind. Here are a few follow-up notes, especially for attendees logging on looking for more information about topics discussed.

1. As I mentioned last night, perhaps the best book on understanding the science, the history, and the politics of America’s decades long debate over evolution is Eugenie Scott’s Evolution vs. Creationism, recently updated, expanded, and released in its 2nd edition.

2. For those looking for more details on the issues related to framing and public engagement that were discussed, see this final draft chapter in a forthcoming edited volume on science communication.

3. For a wider look at related themes on science communication generally, see this forthcoming article at the American Journal of Botany that I mentioned.

Collage of classical art suggesting a theme related to somatic markers.

Business

How “somatic markers” can transform your decision-making

Ditch the old brain vs. heart assumptions, and instead think about a heart-led brain.

A black and white image of a bunch of spheres, symbolizing the multiverse concept discussed by scientists.

Starts With A Bang

How logic and reasoning can fail as scientific tools

In logic, 'reductio ad absurdum' shows how flawed arguments fall apart. Our absurd Universe, however, often defies our intuitive reasoning.

A wooden sign indicating "assisted migration rep 2" in a pine forest under a clear blue sky.

Life

Moving trees north to save the forests

As the world warms, trees in forests such as those in Minnesota will no longer be adapted to their local climates. That’s where assisted migration comes in.

Historical map illustration depicting a planned city layout with a circular central area and radiating streets.

Strange Maps

Ohio’s Circleville ditched the grid system. Then it got squared.

A small Ohio town tried to escape America’s addiction to rectangular grids. It didn’t last long.

Bullet Cluster separation mass gravity x-ray lensing

Starts With A Bang

Flagship NASA space telescope faces a penny-pinching death

NASA's only flagship X-ray telescope ever, Chandra, still works and has no planned successor. So why does the President want to kill it?

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

At the Daily Kos, the “Fall from Grace Narrative” about Science in America

Over at the liberal blog site Daily Kos, the anonymous “Dark Syde” reviews the book Unscientific America. The review, unfortunately, echoes the all-too-common “fall from grace narrative” about the place […]