Bay Area Skeptics

The San Francisco Bay Area's skeptical organization since 1982

by Herb Masters

Greetings Science-based thinkers and acceptors!

I’m always amazed by what comes across my monitor, radio, or ears on the street. Seemingly crazy or unfounded challenges to science just don’t seem to go away, both internationally and nationally, conspiracies that just don’t make sense, and why some people just won’t pay attention to the smoke, the clouds, or the professionals trying to protect them. Here’s a different take on that. We certainly are fascinating animals!

There also many things that should be celebrated. Consider that just a year ago we were celebrating Cassini as it was finishing an incredible journey. But the discoveries and news keep coming!

I have occasionally struck a sensitive spot with some readers of this newsletter. Two hot topics of contention can be called pseudo/fake/alternative medicine such as homeopathy and of course, vaccinations. I just read an article that I think gives immense insight into what the arguments are about, how they came to be, and what if anything can be done to, if not resolve them, at least come to understand those that disagree. It really is one of the better articles on the issue that I have seen: Values and vaccines. I hope you find it as insightful as I do. For more to chat about: Are Probiotics ‘Nobiotics’? Note the related article!

Here are some presentations that hopefully you will enjoy, and learn some science that you didn’t know about, that I think might be worthy of your time and thought this week.

  1. SciComm Studio 010: Bite-Sized Science Mon 6:30PM San Francisco
  2. San Francisco City Star Party @ Parade Grounds in the Presidio of San Francisco Thu 7:30PM San Francisco
    (In case of fog: Wild & Scenic Film Festival “On Tour” Fri 7:30PM Vallejo)
  3. Smithsonial Museum Day Live at Hiller Aviation Museum Sat 10:00AM San Carlos

SAVE THE DATE! Word from the Conservation Society of California is that Earth Day 2019 celebration will be on: Sunday, April 14th, 2019

This amazing world has something for just about everyone. When it comes to shopping there are so many options that are disappearing because of on-line shopping it is startling. (Some call it progress!) Fortunately there are still many places that are holding on both here and around the world. Here are two places that don’t seem to be too affected yet: Yiwu and Kumasi. I was fortunate enough to visit Kumasi in 1989. Seeing the video brings back some sweet memories. Go visit if you get the chance.

Have you thought about this yet? How Will Police Solve Murders on Mars? What about what would happen if Usain Bolt takes on laws of physics in zero gravity race.
 

Have a great week. There’s lots to learn.
Science Rocks and Rolls
herb masters
ScienceSchmoozer and a shameless promoter of:
the SciSchmooze email list: www.BayAreaScience.org
 

“We must not forget that when radium was discovered no one knew that it would prove useful in hospitals. The work was one of pure science. And this is a proof that scientific work must not be considered from the point of view of the direct usefulness of it. It must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become like the radium a benefit for humanity.”
Marie Curie, Lecture at Vassar College, May 14, 1921French (Polish-born) chemist & physicist (1867 – 1934)

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