TED: What is Our Place in the Cosmos?

Are humans the "hub of the universe" or just "typical chemical scum"? Legendary scientist David Deutsch explains...


What do you think? Scum or hub?

TED: Two Fascinating Science Talks

Biologist Richard Dawkins makes a case for "thinking the improbable" by looking at how the human frame of reference limits our understanding of the universe:


Physicist Brian Greene explains superstring theory, the idea that minscule strands of energy vibrating in 11 dimensions create every particle and force in the universe:

Race in Science

Science receives much of its authority from the perception that it is based on "objective" examination of data through the scientific method. Yet, when it comes to race, science has been anything but objective. A great example of this is Stepehen Jay Gould's classic work, The Mismeasure of Man, which attacks the racist science of Eugenics at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries and demonstrates the way the white supremacist biases of scientists influenced their research. It is a great book, accessible and important.

In a similar, but more contemporary vein, a group of historians at the University of Toronto has created a website, "Racesci," which, in their own words:

is a resource for scholars and students interested in the history of "race" in science, medicine, and technology. RaceSci is dedicated to encouraging critical, anti-racist and interdisciplinary approaches to our understanding of the production and uses of "race" as a concept within the history of science. Instead of assuming race as a natural category that science then uncovers, this site assembles scholarly works that look at how cultural processes of racialization have profoundly shaped knowledge about humanness, health, and even our understanding of "nature" itself. The aim of RaceSci is to serve as a catalyst and support for the increased critical study of "race" and science amongst students and researchers by bringing together in a common forum the interdisciplinary English-language literature on the topic, with a particular strength in U.S. history. In addition, RaceSci tracks the continuing history of "race" in contemporary science and its reporting in the media. For scholars, the site provides samples of university syllabi and announcements of events.

The site contains lots of interesting resources.

Check it out!

While a Magician Works, the Mind Does the Tricks

I've always had a sweet spot for good magic, dating back to when I was a kid. Today's Science Times has an interesting article about the science of magic that folks might want to check out. Here is the set-up to the article:

In a paper published last week in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience, a team of brain scientists and prominent magicians described how magic tricks, both simple and spectacular, take advantage of glitches in how the brain constructs a model of the outside world from moment to moment, or what we think of as objective reality.

Here is a cool magic trick by Chris Angel:


And another:


Here is a segment of Larry King Live with Angel:


And, because David Blaine has become such a freak, here is a parody of his street magic:

Sign of the Times: Darwinism vs. Creationism in Ohio

During my Sunday scan of the mainstream and alternative press, I noticed a strange opposition in my home state of Ohio:
Apparently, people are flocking to Cincinnati's fundamentalist-backed "Creation Museum," which opened not too long ago. The museum features dinosaurs alongside Adam & Eve. According to an article posted at Commondreams.org, "there is no shortage of references to Darwin [at the museum]... But the clear purpose is to demolish not celebrate them." Here is the full article:

"Americans are Flocking to a Hi-Tech Creation Museum Where Man and Dinosaurs Frolick Happily Together"

Meanwhile, over at Cleveland.com, an article announces that Case Western Reserve University plans a year-long celebration of Darwin to "make clear the enduring soundness and profound impact of Darwin's concept." That article can be found here:

"Case to Honor, Celebrate Darwin in 2008-2009"

Is it the 1920s all over again? The Scopes "Monkey" Trial? Anyone seen Clarence Darrow? William Jennings Bryan? It is true, Cincinnati has always been a more culturally conservative city than Cleveland, but I found this juxtaposition interesting, nonetheless...

Any thoughts?