Kill The Spider - At Least Don't Let Your Brown Recluse Loose!

Feb 20 2010 | comment(s)

When I am out doing bug programs I am often asked (with a slow-down-to-look-at-an-accident wince); “where do you keep all these bugs? Do they stay at your house?” I explain about the shelves with the lights, or the bug room and usually digress into a shopworn lecture on respect and the difference between invited and uninvited guests.

And the position I take on respect is this: that respect is a matter of making good decisions based on your understanding of the situation. The better you understand, the more respectful your decisions will be (unless you’re trying to be bad). The less you understand, the more likely you should be to do nothing – learn more.

Nationalization In The Middle East Continues To Face Apathy

Feb 20 2010 | comment(s)

Science Imitating Art: Why Is 21st Century Science Obsessed With The Mona Lisa?

Feb 20 2010 | comment(s)

Heads up, banner-plane pilots: you, like so many before you, could lose your job to a sleek, 21st century technology that not only performs better than you, but looks way cooler doing it.

You Telo-Me, I Tell-o You

Feb 19 2010 | comment(s)

There is a new article out in today’s Molecular System Biology, which has the media saying the typical baloney-filled things like “The Key to Aging Discovered,” “Breakthrough to Immortality,” and “Live Forever?”

Scientist, Hero

Feb 19 2010 | comment(s)

It's often the case that attending a conference like AAAS means you have to choose between competing programs, like the good stuff, the fun stuff and the stuff you will make fun of. This morning I had one of each at the same time but since I didn't get to the one I would likely have made fun of, I will leave that out.

Instead I had to make a tough call between Eugenie Scott and "How Can Scientists Support Policy Makers?" and "The Science of Superheroes" - Genie won, at least in the beginning.

Why Do Astronomy?

Feb 19 2010 | comment(s)

Did you ever wonder why some people become astronomers? I asked random astronomers at last month's AAS meeting, and in my latest 365DOA podcast, you can find out what each said-- and how each explained their research in 30 seconds or less. For the big picture, the stories of why ordinary, sane people become astronomers, it turns out we get bit by the astronomy bug early.

Either in elementary school, we've already decided, or in high school, we get inspired. By the time people hit college, the ones who want to be career astronomers have already decided that's their path.