Herb Masters
11 November 2024
Hello Fans of Science, Reason, and Critical Thinking,
Well a lot of soul searching has been going on around the country, if not the planet, since Tue night or Wed morning. I would only like to say that the most reliable source of information for making many decisions these days is SCIENCE and REASON. I hope that we can all rally to support it whenever the opportunity or necessity arises. If or when you reach out to any leaders in the community, local, national, or international, I hope that you will look to science, reason, and critical thinking. to inform all concerned. There is much work to be done and our support is essential. That includes gathering reliable information to inform ourselves in what we do and support.
I think how our lives, culture, and history have been influenced by science is incredibly important. Looking back in time, Archimedes discovered many principles that we still apply today. Many people actually think science isn’t worth the slide rules it is done with! Until relatively recently they were the “calculator” not of choice but necessity. They are pretty much a relic now but the Manhattan Project relied on them! Keep in mind they have been used since the 1600’s! Our modern technologies and sciences are all born of slide rules! Now we may be faced with our government denying some of the most important developments in human history, public health being one of the high profile ones that are on the agenda of some new members of our government. I can’t think of a medical treatment or prophylaxis that isn’t based in science. It was science that allowed the conversion of willow bark to aspirin! The proverb, “May you live in interesting times”, seems to be relevant these days as it alway has. But how long has that actually been?
Recently, I visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum It is an incredibly emotional place to visit. It brought feelings of rage and reflection. The horror that humans have treated other humans with throughout history have often used science to make them more effective. If only the lessons learned afterwards could have been remembered before they were done be it one “race” of people against another or one government against another. I know of no better tool than science to sort things out and make it a better place for all of us. We must support and defend it.
OK. On with the Science Schmooze.
As is usually the case, there’s a lot more science stuff going on in the SF Bay Area than can be absorbed by any reasonable person in the next two weeks. Here are a few that are catching my attention, but of course you will find many others as well…
-”Systematic Errors: Stories about failed experiments” (audio worth a listen!)
–Observing with the James Webb Space Telescope: Glimpsing the First Stars Livestream Wed 7:30 PM (the living room of your choice!)
–Megastorms, California, and You Thu 07:30 PM Berkeley
–Raptor Fest at Rancho San Vicente! Sat 9:30 AM San Jose
(As always, please check the weblink for full descriptions and check the presenter’s website for updates.)
It’s been a few months since I have shared links with you folks. So there should be something for everybody here…
–What we lose by being overly scientific about healthcare
–Maps That Show How The World Really Is
–Why Friday the 13th Spelled Doom for the Knights Templar
–Revisiting the Past: This Is What Hygiene Was Like in Colonial America
–“The Joy of Science” (video)
–The Science of Weird Shit | Chris French (video) (here it is with full intro}
–2 strategies to turn yuck to yum and convince people to eat unusual foods
–What should journalists do when the facts don’t matter?
It’s been awhile since I have hit the keyboard! A special shoutout to Bob and David for keeping this going. As I have said in the past Bob is the backbone, and probably heart and lungs of the Science Schmooze. If you ever feel so inclined drop a note and tell him how much you appreciate his work.
Keep the Science and have faith in it.
herb masters
“A person by study must try to disengage the subject from useless matter, and to seize on points capable of improvement. … When subjects are viewed through the mists of prejudice, useful truths may escape.”— — Joseph MacSweeny
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