Bay Area Skeptics

The San Francisco Bay Area's skeptical organization since 1982

A pre-Christmas SciSchmooze

Herb Masters
16 December 2024

12 Days of Science Christmas Ornament


Greetings Fans of Science, Reason, and Critical Thinking,

Are you ready for the last stretch of holiday indulgences? If you have young people around that need to be distracted or calmed down here’s something that might help… 25 Christmas Science Ideas I’m not much of a holiday person, but I do love to watch people truly enjoy whatever might be their reason for the season. Spending time with those that we cherish is the best. I hope that you have friends or family to share the Science of Christmas. Hard to think that it was only 60 years ago that Apollo 8 orbited the moon! Here’s 12 facts you may not know about Christmas. Of course there are some easy answers to some of the common christmas mysteries too, I can’t skip this one science of cats in space story, even if it isn’t really a christmas story!

I recently had a discussion about the “hard” and “soft” sciences. I think it is an interesting discussion/question. I think they require a significantly different mindset to understand and appreciate. I have a feeling that the debate over what “good” and “bad” science is going to be very similar in the coming couple of years. What’s the gripe between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ sciences? Be prepared… A brief history of politics and science It isn’t exclusively politician vs scientist… The most epic fights in science

It’s that time of year when the schools shut down for awhile and consequently there are fewer calendar listings but the quality is still really great. So this should be an easier time because you don’t have to decide on which you will go to. For something entirely different to do, may I suggest you bring some visiting friends and family to a presentation? Here are a few that I think offer some interesting topics…

LASER Event – 12/16/2024 07:00 PM
 Stan!

Family-Friendly Winter Fun Agar Art – Painting w/ Microbes! – 12/17/2024 06:00 PM in Oakland

After Dark: Twinkle Twinkle – 12/19/2024 06:00 PM in San Francisco

In case you are looking for something to keep people distracted from the turkey and the rest of what’s on the table, this might help… https://archimedes-lab.org/index.html

Imagine Mr./Ms. Claus trying to navigate to all of the places he/she has to get to in a very short period of time, for what has to be done. This is somewhere around 40 to slightly less than 48 hrs. This requires an exceptionally good understanding of where they are at any given moment. This, even with GPS, is an incredible challenge. This is why maps are so important. Maps That Show How The World Really Is, even cartography needs math and science!

But wait there’s more Bizarre History of Cats in Space! Not just cats actually!

Here’s a good one to refer new science fans to… Understanding Science 101

DOE Explains…the Standard Model of Particle Physics

Is Technology Worthy of Our Faith?

Living in the Age of Risky Science

Finally… Here’s to looking ahead!


Have some great holidays and I’ll be back next year!
herb masters


Looking for more cats in space.

“The media’s statement such as, “It’s only a theory,” downplays the strongest expression of reality that we have.”


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