sheril | October 1, 2007Sometimes we get so incensed at the big picture, we forget to stop, breath, and most importantly laugh a little. I'm not saying things would be better, just that hey, we'll never know...
cmooney | September 29, 2007You probably aren't going to believe this. But not only was the battle at the Bell Museum in Minneapolis last night pretty un-warlike; the participants actually seemed to find plenty of common ground. Both Greg Laden and, yes, even PZ Myers agreed that the framing of science can be a useful tool sometimes--perhaps even a good idea sometimes.
Yeah, I know. Pretty shocking.
Let me explain what happened. The Chris and Matt team went into this debate with a clear strategy: Try not to fight too much over science and religion; and do not fall prey to the tyranny of small differences when…
sheril | September 28, 2007This is the true story...of eight strangers...picked to share a new science blog...work together, and have their research and interests exposed...to find out what happens when scientists and media experts stop being esoteric...and start getting real...CORRELATIONS.
* a collaboration between WIRED Science and PBS *
We've got a physicist, an antarctic meteorologist, an epidemiologist (and fellow SciBling), a producer, a climate scientist, a television host, a writer, and your resident blogger who finds herself somewhere in the space between science, policy, and media.
Nate dea, quo fata…
cmooney | September 28, 2007
My latest DeSmogBlog entry is up--it's a reaction to the recent Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger piece in the New Republic, which in turn is an excerpt/adaptation from their new book Break Through. You'll recall that these guys are the stylish authors of the famed "Death of Environmentalism" essay (PDF). Anyways, I think Nordhaus and Shellenberger are largely right, but also not really as revolutionary as you (or they) might think. As I put it:
Not only do Nordhaus and Shellenberger get the central global warming message right--they go farther with detailed policy prescriptions. The…
sheril | September 27, 2007Okay folks, while I'm pleased so many are fascinated by Randy's video, I'm also overwhelmed by the sheer number of science related sex videos flooding my inbox. It's enough to make a marine scientist blush (and I'm starting to wonder if all this content may be setting off some kind of deviant cyberspace alarm). While I've not viewed every link, I assure you that the spectrum of species - and athleticism - is amazing. In any case, what follows is the best of what I've received in the mix. Note, this will be the last of such videos for now... although it may be a theme worth revisiting in…
cmooney | September 27, 2007
Karen, possibly a hurricane for something like three hours, maybe.
My latest "Storm Pundit" post just went up--it's about Tropical Storm Karen, which was probably a hurricane yesterday for a very brief period and may be officially named one in post-season reanalysis (assuming the now-highly sheared storm doesn't make any kind of comeback). I point out that if Karen hadn't been in the Atlantic, I doubt we'd be able to look forward to this type of highly detailed reanalysis...and that's one of the key problem with hurricane datasets from around the world.
sheril | September 27, 2007Yesterday's barnacle video was tremendously popular. So much so, that readers in the world of science have been sending me related links ever since I posted the well-endowed arthropod. Having spent time doing research at sea in the Gulf of Maine, this particular one spoke to my own heart.
Ever wonder what it's like to be on an oceanographic cruise? Here's invaluable insight from the Coastal Ocean Observing Center at the University of New Hampshire. It captures the fun, serious, and at times frustrating reality of life on a research vessel... all to the sound of Vanilla Ice! And there's…
cmooney | September 27, 2007While Sheril continues to blog up a storm, I merely have a few updates between my various plane flights....the latest of which, today, takes me to Minnesota for the big debate (tomorrow night) between Mooney-Nisbet and Laden-Myers. More on that when I get a second, but first, some updates:
The latest issue of Seed is out, and I have the cover story. While you can't read the piece online, here's the gist: It's a manifesto for why the next president of the United States, whoever it is, had better get science. I'm hoping this cover story will prompt a lot of discussion, and this won't be the…
sheril | September 26, 2007
Before Flock of Dodos and Shifting Baselines, Randy Olson was inspiring the next generation of marine scientists with educational videos on topics in our field. My first semester in graduate school, I was dazzled by a particular captivating piece from 1991. Craig McClain referenced this project when he was in town (it's notorious in marine science circles), so yesterday I encouraged my pal RO to post his earlier work on youtube. Unforgettable footage that will leave you just a little more informed about the wonderful world of barnacles.
Most quoted line: 'Barnacles Are Very Well Hung'
sheril | September 26, 2007Kudos to our clever commentors... Well played!
You figured out my framing game... I've been sharing my perspective on the media with regard to science and politics over several months now and evidently readers have been paying attention. My post yesterday was an experiment of sorts to see if you'd notice when a seemingly reputable news source emphasized the alarmist spin and left out some details. [Note the heavy use of italicized quotes]. Instead of replying in the comments, I'm outing myself in this forum with hope to find out more about your initial reactions...
This is the kind of…
cmooney | September 25, 2007Tropical Storm Karen has formed in the open Atlantic, and it's simply gigantic. Accordingly, I've done my latest "Storm Pundit" post about Karen, hurricane size, and what this storm--our eleventh of the year--says about the accuracy of some of the pre-season forecasts. You can read the piece here. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a picture of Karen that gives some sense of scale:
P.S.: Over at The Scientific Activist, Nick Anthis has penned a nice review of Storm World. I particularly like his personal reminiscences about being a kid obsessed with the weather. Check it out.
sheril | September 25, 2007
According to the New York Times, loggerhead nestings have recently dropped almost 7 percent in the Gulf of Mexico. With a myriad of threats from stormy oceans and climate change to land development and light pollution, these spectacular animals are in real trouble.
After encouraging gains in the 1990s, a federal report now shows populations of loggerhead sea turtles dropping, possibly as a result of commercial fishing.
cmooney | September 24, 2007My Cornell University Provost's series lecture given on September 20 was quite a memorable one. I was only waiting for video to go online to provide more information about the event, and now it has.
So: Follow the link to view my talk (30 minutes plus) and then the responses from expert panelists--Kurt Gottfried of the Union of Concerned Scientists; Steve Hilgartner of Cornell's Science and Technology Studies Program; Ted Lowi, John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions, Government Department, Cornell; Jon Shields, University of Colorado; Ron Herring, Government Department, Cornell;…
sheril | September 24, 2007Flashback to the morning of November 8, 2006. My boss, Senator Bill Nelson, has just been reelected beating Katherine Harris by a huge margin. It's a beautiful morning and we're all quite happy down in the Sunshine State. I receive a call from a dear friend working in the office of a prominent republican committee chair (who shall remain unnamed). His end of the conversation in question goes something like this:
'We're so excited. With a Dem majority that won't be able to do much in two years, come 2008 everyone will claim you guys [Democrats] had your shot and blew it. Our team […
sheril | September 24, 2007
Somehow when it comes to elections, lots of folks seem to get confused into thinking they're watching ESPN. Sure it's fun to feel part of a victory, but what matters politically far outweighs any championship ring, cup, or a trip to Disneyworld - even if the media would have you believe otherwise during Superbowl season. So while it's easy rally around one side depending on where you fall in the old color scheme of things, the truth is that politics aren't so black, Blue, right, white, Red, or left. These kind of delineations are enough to make anyone dizzy.
The myriad of vital issues at…
cmooney | September 24, 2007Dear readers: I'm working on something and could use some research help from any intrepid minds. It seems to me almost indisputable that John Marburger, who assumed his post in 2001 and has continued it now into late 2007, is the longest serving presidential science adviser in history. A quick glance at the terms of previous science advisers--see here--strongly suggests that this is so. However, you know how it goes with government: There are technical details about when the adviser was actually confirmed, when he actually departed, and so forth.
So: Does anyone disagree with me that…
sheril | September 24, 2007
Last night, Craig McClain of Deep Sea News visited us in North Carolina for fun with Bora, Anna, Abel Pharmboy, and me. Craig also loves marine inverts so we had lots to discuss. More evidence NC is where the SciBlings are!
cmooney | September 22, 2007
Apologies for my disappearance, folks...Sheril did a great job in my absence, and I enjoyed being Obi-Wan for a day. Although it wasn't exactly like battling with lightsabers: I spent the week largely hunkered down in hotel rooms, preparing talks. Especially on my 30th birthday, and surrounded by top scholars at Cornell who'd been asked to critique my arguments, I wanted to make a good showing.
Video of that September 20th event, which I thought went quite well, whenever I can find it.
In the meantime, though, I want to direct your attention to something that Mark has been blogging about at…
sheril | September 21, 2007Back from DC and want to let readers know I do take notice when I get email. I appreciate the interest in my wandering career path and a few folks have written regarding the FOX news piece. More than one has questioned the way I sounded with regard to my former incarnation as a pop radio personality. Well, as it was pointed out, yesterday's audio was not very good because I was on a spotty cell phone traveling into the mountains of Massachusetts on the way to marry my brother. A mile or so down the road from the call, I lost signal altogether. That said, in response to your questions, I'…
sheril | September 20, 2007Today our very own Chris Mooney has officially been spinning around the sun for three decades! It's hard to imagine that's only a few revolutions more than me considering all he's accomplished... As Darth Vader once said, 'The Force is strong with this one.'
In 30 years, my co-blogger's penned a couple books, made some folks uncomfy on Capitol Hill, and kept the blog going strong with higher traffic than ever. Now while most of us would agree that's quite a lot already, our favorite New Orleans native didn't stop there... His work is part of the Best American Science and Nature Writing…