Author: Josh Witten

http://www.thefinchandpea.com

Science for the People: A Special Hell

sftpThis week Science for the People is talking about the use – and appalling misuse – of genetics in pursuit of human perfection. We’ll speak to Claudia Malacrida, sociology professor and eugenics researcher, about her book A Special Hell: Institutional Life in Alberta’s Eugenic Years. We’ll also talk to Hannah Brown, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide, about the ethical issues raised by the creation of a genetically modified human embryo.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.

Science for the People: Come as You Are

sftpThis Science for the People is looking at the intersection of human sexuality, research and education. We’re joined by sexuality educator and blogger Emily Nagoski, to talk about her book Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life. We’ll also speak to medical humanities and bioethics professor Alice Dreger, about her experience live-tweeting her son’s abstinence-focused sex-ed class.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.

Science for the People: Secure Communications

sftp-square-fistonly-whitebgThis week, Science for the People is looking at technology for keeping secrets safe from prying eyes and ears. We’re joined by Dan Younger, professor emeritus of mathematics at the University of Waterloo, to discuss the remarkable work of his colleague Bill Tutte, who broke the German Lorenz Code during World War II. We’ll also discuss the cutting edge of quantum security with Physics and Computer Science Professor Shohini Ghose.

*Josh provides research & social media help to Science for the People and is, therefore, completely biased.

The Missing, Female History of STEM

Chief Technology Officer of the United States Megan Smith discusses the problems of erasing women from the history of science and technology with Charlie Rose. It is not that the historical role models for young women don’t exist. It is that we actively expunge them from our narratives.


As Rose suggests with a question, it is hard to imagine how this practice actually benefits anyone – other than an intellectually lazy adherence to our standard, male-centric narrative.

HT: Caroline Siede at BoingBoing.

Science Caturday: Still Watching Birdies

If there was ever a day to repeat the same thing you did last year, it would be World Migratory Bird Day. Plus, Michele is very busy working on a “very special thing” that you will be hearing more about soon; and I do not have her way with cats.

Today is World Migratory Bird Day!  Kittehs love to watch the birdies. For science, of course!

migrate

As for the related subject of bird-assisted coconut migration, it’s a simple question of weight ratios:

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lol via Cheezburger.com, graphic via head-fi.org