The galaxy is a very, very large place. And there’s a lot less stuff in it than you might think. The late Douglas Adams was right to point out that, once stranded in it, the chances of someone offering you a ride in their roomy vehicle are vanishingly small. Previous editions of this book have attempted to quell this sense of hopelessness through the use of an apt, if rather limited, piece of advice: “Don’t Panic.” And though the advice itself is useful (because panicking is almost never a good idea) that’s its very weakness: too general. With this edition…
The Science Creative Quarterly
From February, 2007
MALCOLM GLADWELL WRITES THE INTRODUCTION TO A NEW EDITION OF THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY
The galaxy is a very, very large place. And there’s a lot less stuff in it than you might think. The late Douglas Adams was right to point out that, once stranded in it, the chances of someone offering you a ride in their roomy vehicle are vanishingly small. Previous editions of this book have attempted to quell this sense of hopelessness through the use of an apt, if rather limited, piece of advice: “Don’t Panic.” And though the advice itself is useful (because panicking is almost never a good idea) that’s its very weakness: too general. With this edition…
COMPARISONS OF THEORIES ON THE ORIGIN OF LANGUAGE: LANGUAGE ON THE BRAIN
Dedicated to the memory of John-Christian Solomon. “Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra. Sokath, his eyes uncovered!” Apart from linguistic historians, researchers from other fields are also hungry for revelations; Artificial Intelligence researchers are eager to see how to apply it in cases of complex dynamical systems and in imbuing artifacts with the capacity to learn language; Developmental psychologists and neurophysicians would have new perspectives on problems like William’s syndrome and be able to better diagnose and predict the neurological effects of strokes. This essay explores theories on the origins of language put forward in Derek Bickerton’s Language & Species and…
LOVE IN THE LABORATORY
It’s that time of year again, when pie-eyed romantics are wont to wax rhapsodic about the nature, the essence, and the mystery of love. With gilded tongues and dubious poetic license, they fling around flawed analogies and sweeping generalizations like Cupid’s arrows from a rapid-fire crossbow. And anyone with a heart beating within his or her chest is supposed to swell and swoon at the sweet dulcet tones of these tearjerking truisms. I say, ‘Hogwash’. I’m a lover (not a fighter) — but I have a brain nearly as big as my heart, but nowhere near as mushy. I don’t…
BETWEEN A ROCK AND HARD PLACE
PLUTO: What do you mean you’re revoking my planetary status? BIG ROCK: Sorry, but effective immediately you’re a dwarf planet. DWARF PLANET FORMERLY KNOWN AS PLUTO: A dwarf planet? What the heck is that? BIG ROCK: No need for foul language. Dwarf planet’s a euphemism; it’s a nice way of saying Ice Ball. DWARF: Who the hell are you to decide I’m not a planet? BIG ROCK: I didn’t. I’m just delivering a message as Speaker of the House of Heavenly Bodies. DWARF: Never heard of it. I don’t have to take this crap. BIG ROCK: Take it you will,…
ORDER OF THE SCIENCE SCOUTS OF EXEMPLARY REPUTE AND ABOVE AVERAGE PHYSIQUE
anthem | topics | facebook | inkling * * * For the propagation of an ideal where science communicators can meet firstly, for drinks; secondly, for communicating; and ultimately, for networking. Joining is easy – please simply provide name with your city and a corresponding link (or more – we can take up to 3). Links should be something or other that demonstrates your science communication fit. Information in that regard can be entertained by emailing tscq@interchange.ubc.ca. Members are: – not opposed to alcohol. – fond of IPCC reports (especially the pictures). – mostly in agreement with the “truth.” –…
ORDER OF THE SCIENCE SCOUTS OF EXEMPLARY REPUTE AND ABOVE AVERAGE PHYSIQUE
anthem | topics | facebook | twitter * * * For the propagation of an ideal where science communicators can meet firstly, for drinks; secondly, for communicating; and ultimately, for networking. Joining is easy – please simply provide name with your city and a corresponding link (or more – we can take up to 3). Links should be something or other that demonstrates your science communication fit. Information in that regard can be entertained by emailing tscq@interchange.ubc.ca. Members are: – not opposed to alcohol. – fond of IPCC reports (especially the pictures). – mostly in agreement with the “truth.” –…
TOPICS DISCUSSED SO FAR
This is home to the list of topics dicussed when the Vancouver chapter of the Order of the Science Scouts of Exemplary Repute and Above Average Physique has been in session. Go here for the Order’s homepage (and for badges). (more badges here) – – – TOPICS Whereby drinks with Jay Ingram partly entails at least 3 or 4 people approaching him with “Jay, I love your show” (including, on this occasion, one homeless guy). Another round please… Fun with sulfur hexafluoride. The irony of eating nothing but burgers whilst on a mad cow speaking tour. The Science Communications program…
AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION
The SCQ is happy to partake in the Week of Science initiative, and will have only textbook pieces for this particular week. If you need a breather, please take a moment to peruse our humour section. That should work nicely – – – The environment is a hot topic these days, with most people being aware of problems pertaining to global warming, air pollution, and/or loss of biodiversity. However, there is another problem that has been under the radar for quite some time; that is the challenge of sustainable agriculture. Whilst, the world’s population has been increasing at a fast…