Science Schmooze
Herb Masters
9 June 2025
Greetings Fans of Science, Reason, and Critical Thinking,
These continue to be trying times for those that haven’t had the good fortune to grow up in areas of the planet where opportunity is plentiful. Of course the other side of that is many places on the planet are experiencing or suffering the consequences of the actions of the people in those areas of “good fortune”. The picture above is one of many examples of what is most assuredly the consequence of climate change. Many would argue that climate change due to human activity isn’t real and not a threat. I personally accept that we here are part of the problem and climate change may actually be more of a threat to humanity than the inability of countries, cultures, and people to get along, respect each other, and work together for the common good of all. The disruption of support of every science our taxes have supported is terrifying. Interestingly, while pseudoscience might be thought of as a liberal view in the past, it seems that “anti-science” is much more based in a conservative view. Even though science has been the primary source of understanding and development of what we use in our everyday lives. Don’t even get me started on vaccines! Even the “gold standard” is under attack! What does Trump’s call for ‘gold standard science’ really mean?
You may have caught the discussion earlier this week about how we will be changed by AI. It specifically hit at ‘white collar’ workers. ‘White collar bloodbath’: Will AI destroy the entry-level office job? AI is a hot topic these days. It’s not a coincidence that the explOratorium is opening Adventures in AI this coming Thu that will run until September. I have been able to check some of it out as it is being installed and I think it is going to be a must see exhibition whether you love, fear, or hate AI. Take note that the white collar bloodbath article was prompted by one of the lead people at Anthrop\c and Anthop\c is the presenter of the exhibition. Here’s one more take… Behind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath
The future looks very different from the past.
The next week does have some really interesting offerings though. Here are a few that I find intriguing…
Wonderfest: Flamingo Vortex Traps: How Physics Redefines Nature – 06/10/2025 07:00 PM
Skeptics in the Pub – 06/10/2025 07:00 PM
Pseudoscience: An Amusing History of Crackpot Ideas and Why We Love Them – 06/12/2025 04:00 PM
After Dark: Adventures in AI – 06/12/2025 06:00 PM
The biology class you wished you could have taken: Kitzmiller v. Dover, 20 years later – Livestream – 06/12/2025 07:30 PM
Here are some other bits and pieces that I think various readers like you might be interested in…
Do the Plumes of Europa Carry Frozen Bacteria? I’ve said I settle for finding a slime mold somewhere other than earth before I die. I may have to settle for a bacteria.
What Dying Would Look Like on Every Planet Come on, you know you’re curious!
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Your Ear It’s that time of year!
Can You Trust Your Memories? One of many interesting talks from the World Science Festival.
That’s Not Milk in Your Sea Scientists and sailors have been fascinated by milky seas for centuries but very little is actually known about this phenomena.
The art of failing forward may exemplify a key part of science and the human experience
Early visions of Mars: I wonder if this is what drives Elon?
Have a great week learning new and interesting things while keeping the doubt
herb masters
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