About this blog
I am maintaining this blog to post observations and news about the world of science and higher education as it connects with various societal issues.Archives
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- Animals (3)
- Becoming a scientist (1)
- Biology revision (1)
- Cognitive Science (6)
- Education (3)
- Environment (3)
- Ethology (6)
- Evidence they think we're stupid (2)
- Evolution (7)
- General (9)
- Jargon (1)
- Medicine (3)
- Mental health (1)
- MSU Zoology (1)
- Nature of science (4)
- Religion (2)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (1)
- Science and public discourse (11)
- Science humor (3)
- Skepticism (1)
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- Animals Becoming a scientist Biology revision Cognitive Science Education Environment Ethology Evidence they think we're stupid Evolution General Jargon Medicine Mental health MSU Zoology Nature of science Religion Responsible Conduct of Research Science and public discourse Science humor Skepticism Technology Uncategorized
Category Archives: Science and public discourse
Daydream Believer
Today’s NY Times describes research (funded by Eli Lilly of course) that identifies a condition called Sluggish Cognitive Tempo. SCT is supposedly characterized by “lethargy, daydreaming, and slow mental processing.” The research suggests (no surprise) that drugs might be useful … Continue reading
Representation…
My friend and colleague Rob Pennock likes to illustrate the concept of representation, which is essential for understanding both cognition and the scientific method, using maps. One thing (for example a mental image of one’s grandmother or a scientific model … Continue reading
Return of the Golden Fleece
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, Senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin used to hand out what he called the “Golden Fleece Awards” to ridicule perceived misuses of federal funds. In the case of research funded by federal agencies, the projects … Continue reading
Economic argument for skepticism
Back after a delay, allowing someone else’s humor to do the heavy lifting….
Teaching the “controversies”
Today’s NYT has an article about a new-ish strategy used by creationists in their efforts to influence the teaching of science in schools. According to the article, a bill in the Kentucky legislature would require schools to teach “the advantages … Continue reading
Texas School Board election results
The Texas School Board has a huge amount of clout in determining the contents of high school textbooks. Because of the size of the public school system and its consequent purchasing power, textbook publishers nationwide tend to cater to Texas. … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Science and public discourse
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Religion and vaccination
Here we have a story from Grand Rapids, MI, about a woman who could lose her job at a hospital because she is refusing to be vaccinated against influenza. The hospital makes flu shots a condition of employment. Such a … Continue reading
Posted in Evolution, Religion, Science and public discourse
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Evolution, spite, and ideological suicide bombs
11 October 2009 Recently we’ve seen allegations by a politician and a pundit that conservative leaders are being “spiteful” by taking positions that undermine their political foes (especially President Obama), even though these positions would seem to make them look … Continue reading
Posted in Ethology, Evolution, Religion, Science and public discourse
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Try feeding a family
More evidence they think we’re stupid. In reaction to the possibility that a tax might be imposed on “juice drinks and soda,” an outfit called Americans Against Food Taxes has come out with an ad that shows a fit, attractive … Continue reading
‘Deathers’ now!
First (well, recently) the “birther” controversy and now the “death panel” controversy: more debate about the supposedly nefarious aims of Obama and other Democratic politicians that seems to be completely uninfluenced by actual evidence (see previous post). The “deathers” (as … Continue reading
Posted in Science and public discourse
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Ethologist 