I sense that Americans are increasingly defined by fear. Fear of what? Continue reading
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Blog 91. Can just anyone open a scientist’s email?
The 1/10/2016 New York Times (1/9/2016 web edition) offered an op-ed entitled, “Scientists, Give Up Your Emails.” The author, a journalist named Paul Thacker, asserted that agencies (including universities) should not keep secret the personal communications of scientists who work for the government. Continue reading
Blog 90. How to boil an egg in a microwave
Submerge the egg in a mug of water. Turn on the microwave for one minute. Listen for snap as the eggshell cracks. That’s ok, the crack relieves pressure. Reduce power to 40% and run the microwave for another minute. At 35 seconds you will hear a loud pop. Continue reading
Blog 89. Why Trump trumps
Donald Trump holds the leading position among Republican presidential contenders (as of mid-December 2015). TV pundits say Trump’s followers have one common characteristic: they’re angry. The big question is why. Why does Trump even have a following? Continue reading
Blog 88. Will nations ever come together?
“The question looms like a cloud over United Nations negotiations in Paris this month—the 21st such attempt to forge an international agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A big reason for failing to find common ground is American intransigence on the role of government.” Continue reading
Blog 87. Wall Street and the myth of basic science
The 24 October Wall Street Journal featured an long (2200 words) essay by Matt Ridley (member, British House of Lords; author; and former chair of a failed British bank). Entitled “The Myth of Basic Science,” the essay argues that publicly funded basic scientific research is not beneficial, Continue reading
Blog 86. A message from Kathmandu
The story below is an email from an American anthropology professor who is doing aid work in Nepal. It illustrates what happens when critical reasoning isn’t applied in social or governmental services. For those of us who thought of Nepal as an impoverished but bucolic place populated by kind, reverent people, this report is a new view. Might the developing disparity of wealth and power in the U.S. eventually bring a similar social situation here? Continue reading
Blog 85. Should scientists become advocates?
Scientists are committed to tell the truth, as best they can from the measurements they make in the physical world. But you can’t apply a scientific statement, however true, to just any situation. Continue reading