Starting 250 Springs ago
Herb Masters
21 April 2025
Greetings Science Fans, Supporters, and Geeks,
It’s been 250 years since Paul Revere announced that the British were coming. It seems odd to claim something literally but, science has been the base of many core beliefs in this country since before its inception. Ten Things About Benjamin Rush These days I am constantly stunned by how science has been and is being rejected these days. Consider this… the rise of anti-science health officials in the US. It really does seem like there’s a war on science. It is hard to be non-confrontational with people who espouse distrust, ignorance, acceptance of pseudoscience (astrology, “alternative medicine”), and denial of reason and critical thinking. Especially when you are in a social situation and confronted by Attacks on Science from people you care about. Sort of like talking politics at Thanksgiving! Please don’t give up, there are resources to help open discussions, and disagree with friends and family while keeping them as friends and family. Why are people antiscience, and what can we do about it?
Well on those sobering thoughts and suggestions.. Tonight is the start of something humans have been watching since at least 687 BCE. I wonder what people back then would have thought if they could see the sky and planet the way some get to see it today… An astronaut’s awe-inspiring views from life in space and NASA’s Lucy probe is asteroid storming and dodging as I type this. It was only 3 weeks ago that Burma (reminds me of the Gulf of Mexico!) was hit by a major earthquake leaving more than 3600 dead. It turns out that one of the contributing factors is what did so much damage here in 1989.
Here’s something to ponder. It might be more than a viral problem. There is concern developing about having a chiral problem. Scientists are wondering about what would happen if they made some DNA that was “left handed”. They’ve been working on mirror life awhile!
As I mentioned last week, there is too much (not really) happening in informal science education this time of the year! Again, we have over 100 listings for the next 2 weeks. Here are a few that I’d like to highlight…
One big opportunity doesn’t even fit on the calendar!!! Check out SF Climate Week April 19-27, 2025!
- Celebrate Earth Day on Alcatraz – 04/22/2025 10:00 AM
– After Dark: Climate Futures – 04/24/2025 06:00 PM
– PelicanFest: Earth Day Celebration in Pacifica – 04/26/2025 10:30 AM
In case you are looking for more cool and interesting stuff…
The Ocean Spectacle that Has Entranced Sailors for Centuries
A first-of-its-kind survey reveals just how glued kids are to their phones and Study: Kids With Smartphones Are Less Depressed, Anxious, Bullied Than Peers Without Them
Since it is spring, here’s a great guide to Wildflower Walks in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
Check out MOON TREKS, MARS TREKS, and many other NASA TREKS
Most Humanoid Robots Fail to Finish Half Marathon
There’s so much cool stuff to learn!
Have a Great Earth Celebration
herb masters
“We’ve arranged a society on science and technology in which nobody understands anything about science and technology, and this combustible mixture of ignorance and power sooner or later is going to blow up in our faces,” he told Rose. “I mean, who is running the science and technology in a democracy if the people don’t know anything about it?”
Carl Sagan
Upcoming Events:
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