Science & Society

There's Little Science-Based Evidence In The Health Care Debate Because There's Little In Health Care

In case you haven't heard, there's a debate about health care reform going on- today we find out that a campaign promise, no fines if you choose not to use government health care, is off the table if you are middle class.   That's only going ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Sep 14 2009 - 7:41pm

The Science Of Scotch

If I could do it all over again, I would forget genomics and specialize in the chemistry of Scotch. You may scoff, dear reader, but there are employment opportunities out there (not to mention alcoholic fringe benefits), such as the Scotch Whisky Research ...

Article - Michael White - Sep 9 2009 - 9:03pm

Funding Success

I'm in that awkward lull between proposals and actual cash in hand.  I call it freelancer hell.  But since I'm thinking about money, time for a look at how to fund success. My own success record for funded projects is 100%.  When people pay me (a ...

Blog Post - Alex "Sandy" Antunes - Sep 11 2009 - 12:29pm

Technological Optimism- Robotic Cars

What is it about technology that makes people so optimistic?  Despite the claims of technological progress it seems that no one considers technological transitions and the impact of failures.  Instead the future is a rosy hue of nothing but perfection. A r ...

Blog Post - Gerhard Adam - Sep 11 2009 - 3:55pm

Sunday Science Book Club Revival

The monthly book club here at Adaptive Complexity has been on hiatus for the summer, and its revival is long overdue. Join me here on the second Sunday of each month to discuss a great (hopefully) science read. I don't limit my book reviews to Sundays ...

Article - Michael White - Sep 13 2009 - 10:53am

Darwin movie too controversial for America?

Seriously? The film [Creation] was chosen to open the Toronto Film Festival and has its British premiere on Sunday. It has been sold in almost every territory around the world, from Australia to Scandinavia. However, US distributors have resolutely passed ...

Blog Post - Michael White - Sep 14 2009 - 10:24am

Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism

The first (intended to be annual) [1] Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism was held on Saturday, sponsored by the New England Skeptical Society and the New York City Skeptics. The conference was meant to present the views and opinions of some sk ...

Blog Post - Barry Leiba - Sep 14 2009 - 12:56pm

An Unstoppable Force Meets an Immovable Object

Private military firms and the Department of Defense bare the brunt of the United States military complex. The "shark" (US DoD) embraces its "supremacy" (technological superiority).  Yet we, our complex, have become so embedded in this ...

Blog Post - Eric Bock Hyde - Sep 25 2009 - 8:04pm

British Libel Laws- Good for Pseudoscience

Scientist and science writer Olivia Judson about the UK's charitable stance towards pseudoscience: The libel laws of England and Wales are notorious. Libel cases cost little to bring — you can make a no-win-no-fee arrangement with your lawyer — but a ...

Blog Post - Michael White - Sep 16 2009 - 9:09am

If Wealth is an Indicator of Hard Work and Intelligence, then I'm a Failure

The idea that if you're rich then you're smarter/more hard working/more righteous than everyone else has a long history in America that begins well before Horatio Alger. From Cotton Mather, to Ben Franklin, to Joseph Smith (who wrote a book about ...

Blog Post - Michael White - Sep 16 2009 - 9:45am