As a rule, everyone at the March for Science in DC was cheerful, helpful, polite, and kept their signs and chants to the scientifically defensible. However, as we all know, rules are made to be broken.
Read MoreScience March: Happy Hypothesis Confirmed
Hypothesis:
A large body of scientists and their allies can gather in a public place to perform a political act without it turning into a “shitshow”.
Subjects:
Forty thousand plus self-selected volunteers who identify as lovers of science, of all ages but with the greatest number between twenty and 55 years old, recruited via social media and a few television appearances by celebrities and organizers.
Method:
An organized rally, teach-in, and march in Washington DC beginning at 0900 local time, and concluding at about 1400 local time.
Summary result:
The hypothesis is confirmed. The null hypothesis, that the event would become a “shitshow,” was disproven.
Read MoreWhat Will Be On My Sign at The March for Science
I'm on my way to Washington D.C. for the March for Science, this Saturday. I thought I'd share with you all the images that will be on my sign. I tried to stick with mostly positive messages. Science is supposed to be the central theme, and politics are secondary. I wanted to stay away from anything too partisan. I wanted to think of some clever sayings, but I'm not clever. Maybe they'll give you some ideas for your own signs or memes. Anything I've created for the march is free for you to copy and rearrange if you like, but I didn't create many of the background images. So, caveat emptor.
Read MoreHas Teiresias Damned the March for Science?
This is about the March for Science.
For a couple weeks now, it has become distressingly common to hear certain people in the science and skepticism business, who should know better, nay-saying the pending March for Science that has been scheduled for Earth Day, April 22. Now, while many of them make fair points about the dangers of politicizing science, or of having people misunderstand the intent of the march, or of making enemies of people we are trying to sway, nearly all of them seem to have forgotten the lesson of Oedipus. So let me remind you, and maybe you can pass it on to them.
Read MoreMarching For Science With Science (and Technology)
So, here we go. It's a busy month for us, unexpectedly. I thought I'd be doing most of the marketing for my books starting in May. April was supposed to be a quiet month of writing. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men, right?
I'll be heading out next week on a cross country drive to Chain of Craters Park and a high school nearby. I've been invited to come and share a talk about writing with a class. It's the perfect opportunity to visit with far flung family, get some photos of incredible sites along the way, and do some experiential research. Not something I can afford to do often, I'm cramming a lot into this trip. More on that later.
If you hadn't heard, we already scheduled a trip for 2 Grumpy People next month to the March for Science in Washington D.C.. I've never attended one of these events, and I'm actually excited about the prospect. It's less a marketing opportunity, and more a chance to meet like minded folks, get out the word about the intersection between science and science fiction, and support scientists, science popularizers, and educators. I've heard there might be a couple famous folks there.
Read MoreThe March for Science Part One: There is no Science Fiction Without Science
What are you doing April 22nd? I will be marching for science in Washington, D.C.. I don't know if I'll be able to talk any of my fellow writers and artists into going with. I'm sure lots of other writers will be there. Hopefully, we'll get a team together. I'd like to see self-published science fiction writers make a good showing there.
Read MoreThis Just In: The Earth Is not 5500 Years Old
Photo by NASA
Anthony Scaramucci, an adviser to President-Elect Donald Trump went on CNN and got into a bit of a tiff over human induced global climate change. As the argument wound down, he got in this little gem.
People have gotten things wrong throughout the five thousand, five hundred year history of our planet.Read More
Scientific Skepticism: Distinguishing Reality from Imagination!
I usually write these articles as conversations with my mom. For fun, and because my latest book is set in Walt Disney World, I decided to present the first half as a conversation between Figment and his friends.
What is Scientific Skepticism?
Well Figment, I'm glad you asked...
The Unwelcome Guest - WDW and Florida Pull The Welcome Mat From Under Zika
Planning a vacation to sunny Florida and our favorite theme park requires some strategic planning in light of the war against Zika. But with a little battlefield intelligence and some smart tactics, you can safely enjoy a stress free holiday in the Magic Kingdom.
Chikungunya, Dengue, and Malaria... Florida's historic battles with the mosquito have become as legendary as the names Olustee Battlefield and the Castillo de San Marcos. . . . Enter the Zika virus in Florida.
. . .
Florida had become adept at recognizing and dealing with new mosquito borne diseases. So most people in the tourism industry have been pretty optimistic that they are ready to defend against the newest smart weapon in the mosquito's arsenal, Zika.
Read MoreCompromise and Corn
So I finished my blog post on Vermont’s new labeling bill and thought I’d done a fair job of analyzing it. I was all ready to start debating. Then the Senate went and passed their compromise bill. Before we celebrate congress finally being able to put aside their differences for a moment to actually accomplish something, let’s just recognize that a lot of people don’t like this new bill. I’ll try to touch on the things most people don’t seem to like about it, and where the differences are.
Read More