Hello Science Lovers,
I hope that you had a bit of science in your Valentine's Day this past week. Sadly, as you probably know, NASA finally acknowledged what seemed inevitable. NASA's Mars Opportunity rover declared dead after record-setting mission Opportunity was such a thrill for us for so much longer than planned. The amount of information we got from Opportunity and Spirit is amazing. For two "little" rovers on a not so distant planet who were only planned to last 90 days each, I am in awe. Spirit made it until 2010, which was an amazing accomplishment but who would think that in 2019 we finally have let Opportunity rest on Mars? Check out a bit of
Fighting disease with the SciSchmooze 11.2.19
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by Herb Masters
Hello Science Based Thinkers and Readers,
Let's make this 2nd week of February a week to celebrate skepticism , reason and evidence. I say this because the second Thursday is generally the day for the Bay Area Skeptics Skeptalk. "What Would Darwin Say to Today’s Creationists?" is the talk this week. If you haven't seen Eugenie Scott speak you really owe it to yourself to catch this talk. Yes there are many who still think evolution is wrong and the earth is only a few thousand years old and may not be spherical.
I find that I'm on a bit of a single topic binge recently. This is because after all these years we are still faced with outbreaks of very preventable diseases. I'm sure that some will disagree with me but, despite all of the emotions, the evidence is in. Vaccines save lives and keep most people heal
Hello Science Based Thinkers and Readers,
Let's make this 2nd week of February a week to celebrate skepticism , reason and evidence. I say this because the second Thursday is generally the day for the Bay Area Skeptics Skeptalk. "What Would Darwin Say to Today’s Creationists?" is the talk this week. If you haven't seen Eugenie Scott speak you really owe it to yourself to catch this talk. Yes there are many who still think evolution is wrong and the earth is only a few thousand years old and may not be spherical.
I find that I'm on a bit of a single topic binge recently. This is because after all these years we are still faced with outbreaks of very preventable diseases. I'm sure that some will disagree with me but, despite all of the emotions, the evidence is in. Vaccines save lives and keep most people heal
Let’s Talk Social Sciences in the 2.4.19 Schmooze
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by Meenakshi Prabhune
Hello Schmoozers,
It’s been lazy rainy weather past few days, but I am sure loving the refreshing lush green landscape that Bay area witnesses only occasionally. The before-after images on my phone in the past few months remind me of the 10-year challenge. For those of you who are safely staying away from Facebook- here’s the latest fad. People are posting present day pictures of themselves and those from 10 years ago under the hashtag #10YearChallenge. Some people even used the trend to generate scientific awareness. For example, here’s a video that shows climate change evidence by comparing images from 10 years ago to present day ones: https://nowthisnews.com/videos/future/10-year-challenge-climate-change-edition
While most people were participating it in this challenge just for fun, others believe that Fac
Hello Schmoozers,
It’s been lazy rainy weather past few days, but I am sure loving the refreshing lush green landscape that Bay area witnesses only occasionally. The before-after images on my phone in the past few months remind me of the 10-year challenge. For those of you who are safely staying away from Facebook- here’s the latest fad. People are posting present day pictures of themselves and those from 10 years ago under the hashtag #10YearChallenge. Some people even used the trend to generate scientific awareness. For example, here’s a video that shows climate change evidence by comparing images from 10 years ago to present day ones: https://nowthisnews.com/videos/future/10-year-challenge-climate-change-edition
While most people were participating it in this challenge just for fun, others believe that Fac
Kicking the Can Down the Road with the Schmooze
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by Bob Siederer
Hello again Science fans, and Happy New Year! I know, we're a month into it already (and how did that happen so fast?) but this is the first Schmooze for me this year, so it is still appropriate.
Did you see the lunar eclipse? No? Me either, although shortly after it was over I looked out and the sky was clear. So close!
We have just over 100 events on our calendar for the next two weeks, and more are sure to come. You have plenty of things to choose from, including these:
Hello again Science fans, and Happy New Year! I know, we're a month into it already (and how did that happen so fast?) but this is the first Schmooze for me this year, so it is still appropriate.
Did you see the lunar eclipse? No? Me either, although shortly after it was over I looked out and the sky was clear. So close!
We have just over 100 events on our calendar for the next two weeks, and more are sure to come. You have plenty of things to choose from, including these:
- Nerd Nite East Bay - 01/28/2019 07:30 PM in Oakland
-
Eclipsing with the SciSchmooze 19.1.20
Submitted by adminby Herb Masters
Hi Science Celebrators!
Please excuse this very early edition of the SciSchmooze. I am hoping that this helps you get ready for Sunday evening's big event. Let's hope for clear skies but there will be alternatives for you to enjoy the eclipse even if the skies are not clear.
I got an email from Alex Filippenko with a great compilation of info that will help you and your friends and family enjoy and understand what is going on. In case you don't know, Alex is an astrophysicist at UC Berkeley who has been involved in major discoveries about our universe. You really do need to see and hear him speak. Oh yea, you can… Black Holes, Exploding Stars, and the Runaway Universe: A Life in Science is this coming Wed 1.23 at Foothill College. Go see, hear, learn, and celebrate!
Back to this Sunday… Here's what Alex shared wit
Moon days with the SciSchmooze 1.14.19
Submitted by adminHello Supporters of Science and Reason,
I have a hot announcement to share with you… SkeptiCal 2019 is coming. Mark your calendars for June 9, 2019. There will be early registration discounts though it will be a great value at full price! One bit of news… After 10 years in Berkeley it will be in Burlingame.
There's a lot going on in the universe that we can see from our fine little planet. Consider the next week or so. The Only Total Lunar Eclipse of 2019 starts at 6:36 PM PST on Sunday 1.20 plus a Supermoon is also part of the show. Happening the very same day… It is anoth
Going a long way with the Science Schmooze 1.7.19
Submitted by adminby Herb Masters
Happy Continuing Journey around our not so personal star!
What a way to start a new year. First off before I dive in to all of the amazing science in space that is going on, please consider how much we still continue to learn about our good old home planet. When you consider that the big news came from 4 billion miles away and 235,000 miles away do you really know your neighbors? Meet your single-celled neighbours – a microbial tour of a metropolis
This has been a fun week to see the families of leaders in science and politics celebrating. Did you see the New Year celebration of the New Horizons incredible flight? Politics aside, watching that and the swearing in of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, where the children of all of the scientists, engineers, and politicians (yes, both parties) came together at
SciSchmoozing into 2019
Submitted by adminby David Almandsmith
Greetings Schmoozer Reader,
The mere fact you are reading the SciSchmooze suggests you are a very well-informed person. Consequently, you know that it is good for society – and life in general – when all of us are better informed. ¿Does this imply you have an obligation to society and yourself to help educate? Well, perhaps not an ‘obligation’ but certainly an ‘incentive.’ However, educating is not so straight-forward as it may first seem (and many of us – I for one – lack the temperament to be a good educator). Blaise Pascal (French mathematician 1623-1662) wrote of his process for ‘changing’ a person’s mind. The Internet is chock-full of similar advice, e.g. this page. Herb Masters in a previous SciSchmooze gave a link to a brilliantHoliday Schmoozing
Submitted by adminby Bob Siederer
Hello again Science Fans.
The Winter Solstice has just passed and from here on the days will be getting longer, bit by bit. It is a busy time for sky watchers, with meteor showers, a comet, and an upcoming total lunar eclipse all happening now or soon. King tides are also on tap this month and next.
But 50 years ago tomorrow a most amazing photograph was taken. The astronauts in Apollo 8 took a picture of Earth from their position orbiting the moon. Dubbed "Earthrise" by NASA, it has become an iconic picture and changed the way we view ourselves and our position in the cosmos. It is worth another look. This article gives some perspective to the photo.
As the end of the year approaches you will see many "best of 2018" lists, including this one about
Cargo Cult Science Schmooze 12.17.18
Submitted by adminby Herb Masters
Hello Science Fans,
Most of science is, deep down, based on facts. Some of the most important disagreements we see and hear relate to what we call facts. Facts can help us understand and learn about many things. But it seems that there are always those that deny what most of us think are basic facts. Consider the roundness of the earth. Most of us can't believe anybody would think it is flat. (Note to NASA: I'd be glad to say the earth is flat and the moon landing was faked if you would give me a tour of your facilities to prove me wrong!) I find myself questioning the "cargo cult science" of some of the folks we share the planet with but generally try to be respectful and understand what is going on. I'm not always successful in this though. I came across a podcast that I think really explains a lot and I highly recommend it…