“Yes” says this SciSchmoozer
Herb Masters
18 August 2025
Greetings Science Fans, Supporters, Skeptics, and Schmoozers,
As summer has progressed the question of the reality of climate change is getting challenged seems to be the standard. Here are some Signs of Climate Change. I must say that I’m glad to be a Californian (even though I had nothing to do with decision of my parents to make me one!). The state has led many changes and fights for the the planet and everyone on it! Whether it be air quality, water quality, or more generally planet quality, California has been with leaders from all over the world and science has been a major tool. I urge you to pay attention to what is going on in politics and take a stand for what is best for the neighborhood, state, country, and planet.
On a more local (not completely though) level and immediate time constraint, there are a couple of items I really want to highlight and encourage you to check out. First and second up is 24 hours of conviviality with the 2nd Global Skeptics in the Pub starting on 8.22 This on-line event will literally follow daytime hours around the planet. You can ask people all around the planet what the weather is like! The SkeptiCal 2025 Conference topic is Science over Superstition and is happening on 8.23. Stop procrastinating! Register right now!
Adventures in AI is an amazing introduction that will intrigue and engage people of all ages and give you a much better idea of what AI is and some of the ways you are and will be exposed to and using it now and will be in the very near future. It is an important exhibition. The AI “phenomenon” is going to be with us from now on. A great opportunity to learn about it is ending on Sept 14.
I’m sure you have heard the term “art for art’s sake”. What about “science for science sake”? One of the more difficult to respond to criticisms of science is that “pure” science, and a lot of research science doesn’t lead to any benefit and consequently is a waste of money and resources. Here’s an interesting article that argues the cart before the horse or petri dish after the culture… On “The Lie” of Basic Science
In addition to the opening tips there are quite a few other cool things to catch and learn from in the next week. Here are a few that intrique me and may intrigue you too…
– How to Spot Deepfakes and Fight AI-Powered Fraud – 08/19/2025 06:00 PM
– Wetlands: Natural Shields Against Climate Change – 08/24/2025 10:00 AM
Of course there is so much more to interest the inquiring mind. Here are a few more items that I think are worth considering in the next week or two…
What if MAGA Has a Point About Science? Conservative distrust of science helped set the stage for its dismantling. Can scientists bridge the partisan divide?
What Motivates People to Move Megaliths?
CEOs Using AI to Terrorize Their Employees
And now for something excellent… Hubert Reeves: Star Teller Hubert Reeves: St
Have a great week learning new and cool things about our neighborhood, the universe.
herb masters
“But science has given us new eyes that allow us to see down to the deeper roots of the world’s structure, and there all we see is order and symmetry of pristine mathematical purity.”
Stephen M. Barr , Physicist and Professor
Last week I noted that I had relied on a LLM using AI to write the SciSchmooze, this week it’s just me!
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