The Art of Science: The 12 Days of (Future) Christmas

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Here at the Finch and Pea, we love things that put a scientific spin on tradition, so this remake of The 12 Days of Christmas is right up our alley. Created by James Hutson of Australia-based Bridge8 and posted in 12 installments starting on Christmas day and running through the Feast of the Epiphany (January 5), the series considers visions of Christmases to come based on current directions in science.

Says Hutson, “This project grabs a fist full of the now; the promised but never came; and the far-flung maybe.” The mix of “near/likely and far/fictional” future scenarios includes advances in everything from genetic engineering (9 dodos de-extincted) to space exploration (6 ships a-jumping) to food science (3 lab-grown steaks). Hutson says he tries to balance “pop culture whimsy and nuts and bolts reality to produce engaging and understandable possible futures, so people take the time to think about it a little more and a little better than they usually would.”

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While there’s a touch of Jetsons-esque retro about Hutson’s signature style – yes, there are jetpacks – most of the “Days of (Future) Christmas” already bear a much greater resemblance to modern life than anything involving lords a-leaping and maids a-milking. You can read the whole thing here and follow James Hutson  and Bridge8 on twitter.

Science Caturday: Stone Cold Logic

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As much of the United States shivers through a wave of brutally cold temperatures, house cats around the country are reporting that they are quite comfy, thanks. Could the magnetic properties of kitties be responsible? Discuss. 

photo via Cheezburger.com

Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year from the Finch & Pea. Remember, if you’ve overdone the EtOH, a little C 10 2   may help!

Science Caturday: Trapped in Antarctica(t)

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A group of scientists, journalists and volunteers on an excursion to Antarctica have had an even whiter Christmas than they dreamed of, as their ship became trapped in heavy ice off the coat of Antarctica on December 25. The Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Sir Douglas Mawson’s expedition to the eastern Antarctic. The current voyage aims to replicate many of the measurements made by Mawson’s crew in 1911-13, to record changes in the region over the last century.

Two journalists from the UK’s Guardian, Alok Jha and Laurence Topham, are aboard the ship and have been blogging and tweeting about the expedition as it made its way to Antarctica. On December 26, Jha reported that the ship, the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, had been hit by a blizzard on Christmas Eve. By Christmas day, it was beset by ice and unable to move. Yesterday, December 27th, a Chinese ice-breaking ship, the Xue Long, attempted to reach the Akademik Shokalskiy but was unable to navigate through the thick ice.

As they await help from other vessels, Jha and Expedition leader Chris Turney both reiterated that the ship’s passengers are not in any danger, and that the scientists are using the extra time to do research. As Jha wrote, “Being on this continent is a privilege. Not just because it is so remote, unique or because you hear indescribable silence or see epic empty landscapes. The privilege comes from being in a place that requires you to engage with it, become attuned to it and make a serious attempt to understanding it…Right now the continent has us in its grasp and, though help is coming, the continent will decide when to let us go.”

You can follow the Guardian’s coverage of the AAE in its special Antarctica Live section  and follow Alok Jha on twitter.

Happy Holidays from the Finch and Pea

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Dear Punters,

A very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to those who celebrate, and a happy new year to all from The Finch & Pea.

Thank you for joining us this year to share science-y art, music, travel, poetry, animals, and food, along with notes and reflections on the major events and findings of the year in science. And some lolcats.

Love,

The Finch & Pea Staff (Josh Witten, Mike White, Marie-Claire Shanahan, Eva Amsen, Michele Banks, Heidi Smith, Ben Witten, and  Sarah Naylor)

PS – Special thanks to our friend @itsjusttracy for decorating Chemistry Cat’s lab