Introduction I have found that one of the difficulties in discussing religion is often a matter of semantics. Consequently, I would like to begin by providing the context for the following discussion. I am a Christian; and while I have made active efforts in understanding other faiths, I am not knowledgeable enough to give an all-inclusive treatise on Science and Religion. Instead, much of what follows will be relevant only within the framework of the Christian faith. Specifically, I would consider myself to be devout and active in my faith; I also believe that I am well versed in Christian…
The Science Creative Quarterly
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) is not a quarterly, but instead publishes new material at a non-linear rate. Currently, it is sleeping and in a sort of stasis (turpor?) It used to seek science writing of any genre, and your contribution would have involved checking out our submissions guidelines.
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) has a single print edition so far (half SCQ pieces, and half fake science journal – see here for more details). Also, badges?
Stay safe everyone!
THE ELDERSBY MODEL: A SUCCESSFUL GRAND UNIFICATION THEORY
Last last Tuesday, a successful Grand Unification Theory (GUT) was accidentally found by a Mrs Eldersby of 29 Pennyfarthing Lane, London. Despite her having no formal training in any science discipline, and the fact that the solution was arrived upon by a series of highly unscientific events, the Eldersby Model – as it is being called – has attracted much media and academic attention. In what experts claim is the first ever Proof by Accident, Eldersby laid down the basic Mathematical principles of what appears to be a successful unified field theory while attempting to medicate her cat and bake…
THE BOOK OF THWILE: A CHILDREN’S BOOK
“Praying to those deities in the sky, Can never account for the chickens that die “Stuffed in small cages with no room to run They squeeze out your breakfast and croak when they’re done! “all day you recline on this mattress of fluff, When you barely acknowledge what gives you this stuff… DOWNLOAD THE BOOK HERE (pdf ~15Mb)
ANNOUNCING: SCIENCE SCOUTS NOW ON FACEBOOK
science scouts home | facebook group We are delighted at the awesome response for the Science Scouts (many thanks to BoingBoing in particular), and are truly inspired by the many who view scientific literacy and badges with such passion. In order to best manage the many individuals who would like to keep up with the OOTSSOERAAP’s comings and goings, we’ve decided to set up a facebook group (link), which will hopefully result in some form of percieved order. Anyway, we did recently add more badges and have a total of about 80 or so. As well, through the mystery of…
ACADEMIA-INDUSTRY – ALLIANCE AT WHAT COST?
Academia -Industry relationship The Academia-industry collaborations involve transforming an intelligent laboratory research into an industrial application of that knowledge, to provide goods and services for the society. The Bayh-Dole Act, enacted in 1980, details the rules and regulations for collaborations between private industry and research institutions, such as universities and since then, financial relationships between them have grown. In biomedical research, these relationships often pair academic research expertise and facilities with industry resources for technology transfer in order to bring innovations from the laboratory bench to hospital bed. These collaborations benefit society by leading to the development of new medical…
TEXTBOOK MANUFACTURERS CHANGE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF NATURE
A new edition of the laws of physics was released yesterday evening, with sweeping consequences for people everywhere. Anxiety was widespread on campuses around the world as the new laws took effect. Students awoke this morning to a number of inexplicable changes, such as a gravitational constant that had more than doubled, and water that freezes only between 17°C and 19°C. The scene was one of chaos as students attempted to comprehend and function under the new laws. Pinned to the ground by the increased gravity, one bewildered student kept blubbering “I just don’t understand it.” When questioned, however, he…
GOING BEYOND THE CURE: ON CONFRONTING THE FUTURE OF GENE THERAPY
The potential use of genetic engineering, the alteration of the genetic material (i.e. DNA) in living organisms, for therapeutic purposes, or “gene therapy”, holds the promise of curing many diseases. The potential use of gene therapy as a preventative treatment for genetic diseases, however, has been controversial, primarily because such preventative measures may involve manipulating the embryo. The beginning of life is an event so universally cherished that any interventions made in this somewhat ambiguous period that marks the beginning of existence, even to prevent disease, is simply too sacrilegious to consider. Yet, at the rate that science is progressing,…
TEN BASIC HEURISTIC PRINCIPLES FOR ACADEMIC TEXT CRAFTING OR HOW TO PUBLISH A PAPER IN A PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL
You don’t need to be a scientist, you don’t even need to have a college education. Anyone can do it. Just follow these 10 simple rules: 1) Select the Social Sciences discipline of your choice: History, Anthropology, or Linguistics, whatever makes you tick. 2) Make up an outrageous hypothesis. Whatever crosses your mind – no matter how stupid it sounds – will be fine. For instance, you can argue that Man never set foot on the moon, that Eskimos have millions of words for snow, or that the real author of special relativity is Einstein’s wife. These are the kind…
DEATH FROM ABOVE: THE TORINO SCALE AND YOU
(Congratulations are in order for Mike, our winner of the science humour writing plus caption contest!) Are you doomed? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to consult a colour-coded chart. Take, for example, the Torino Scale, which astronomers use to express the likelihood of an asteroid hitting the Earth. Asteroid impacts are believed to be responsible for several mass extinctions – just ask the dinosaurs (oh wait, you can’t) – and it’s only a matter of time until another killer rock gets lucky. So check the Torino Scale regularly and act accordingly. Threat Level: Green No likelihood…