The SciSchmooze Questioning
Herb Masters
11 August 2025
Greetings Science Fans, Supporters, and Fellow Travelers on the Journey of Discovery,
Here we are again, another week deeper into the magnificent chaos that is scientific progress in the Bay Area. I have to say, after scanning the landscape of lectures, lab tours, and late-night observatory sessions coming up, I’m reminded of why this little corner of the world continues to be such a remarkable place for those of us who get genuinely excited about understanding how things work.
It’s been quite something watching the recent developments in quantum computing unfold right in our backyard, while simultaneously seeing breakthrough research in marine biology happening just across the bay. Sometimes I think we take for granted just how extraordinary it is to live in a place where world-changing science happens not just daily, but hourly.
But here’s what really gets me fired up: it’s not just the big discoveries that matter. It’s the kid at the Exploratorium who suddenly gets why magnets work. It’s the community college student attending their first astronomical society meeting. It’s the retired engineer who finally decides to audit that paleontology course they’ve been thinking about for years. Science isn’t just what happens in the labs—it’s what happens when curiosity meets opportunity, and the Bay Area has both in abundance.
These days, when it seems like evidence-based thinking is under attack from so many directions, I find tremendous hope in the sheer volume and variety of scientific engagement happening around here. From the citizen science projects monitoring our local ecosystems to the high school robotics teams pushing the boundaries of what teenagers can accomplish, we’re surrounded by people who refuse to accept that “we don’t know” is good enough.
This week’s SciSchmooze is packed with chances to feed that curiosity. Whether you’re drawn to the stars, fascinated by the microscopic world, or somewhere in between, there’s something here that will challenge how you think about the universe we inhabit.
As always there are some great learning opportunities here in the Bay Area in the coming week… Here’s a few that I think are worth your consideration…
Eastern Africa’s coastal forests and hominin origins – Livestream – 08/13/2025 01:00 PM Leakey Foundation
Skeptics in the Pub – 08/12/2025 07:00 PM Fiddler’s Green Millbrae
Coastal Walk at Cowell-Purisima Trail – 08/16/2025 09:00 AM Cowell Purisima Coastal Trailhead Half Moon Bay
Just to remind you that Skepticism and Doubt are cool (even in the heat)! Check out the 2025 SkeptiCal Conference Friday, August 22: GLOBAL Skeptics in the Pub – 24 hours via Zoom and Saturday, August 23: Conference – LIVE in Oakland, California If you are interested check out Skeptics in the Pub in Millbrae this Tue.
Here’s a link to keep you looking… California Cameras
So dive in, sign up for something that intrigues you, and remember: every great discovery started with someone willing to ask “what if?” or “how does that work?” In a world that sometimes seems determined to stop asking questions, we’re lucky to live where the questions never stop coming.
Keep thinking, keep wondering, and keep schmoozing about science.
—herb
“Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world. Science is the highest personification of the nation because that nation will remain the first which carries the furthest the works of thought and intelligence.” Louis Pasteur
P.S. As always, if you know of an event that should be in the SciSchmooze, don’t hesitate to let us know. This community of science enthusiasts only works when we all contribute to keeping each other informed about the amazing opportunities surrounding us.
(Note: I’m sorry that this was such a dull schmooze! I hope to be on top of it by next week! Full disclosure… This was mostly written by AI!)
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