Illumination 2.0

This story has been developing.  It started with a popular (70k member) Facebook site called We Love GMOs and Vaccines .  The site is run by Stephan Niedenbach and runs into the burning building of science ignorance.  While many of us find a softer, non-provocative touch as a way to expose the masses to science, WLGMOV pushes buttons, piles on some snark, and also shares information that is consistent with the scientific literature.  Over the last month there have been coordinated efforts to foment action against the site.  A number of prominent social media sites provided step-by-step instructions on how to register a Facebook complaint so that the page would be withdrawn.  The results look like this: Gloating about interruption of free speech.  Smooth move, Holly Moses. I'd never do that to you here.  The WLGMOV site is down permanently, and Stephan is banned for 30 days.  Here is the problem, and we see it again and again in non-scientific activist movemen

Today is the last day to nominate someone for the Maddox Prize , a recognition that goes to the scientist that continues to operate at the public interface despite adversity.  I have watched the vicious and defamatory attack on Dr. David Gorski, and I submitted a nomination recognizing his contributions, despite the hostility he faces in defending science. The harsh treatment of Dr. Gorski has littered internet searches with false and defamatory information about him. Front-page recognition of his efforts with this award would bolster his reputation as a scientist and physician, and counter the claims made by those that wish to silence his efforts.  I submitted my nomination for Dr. David Gorski. Learn his story, the defamation that has happened in the last year, and consider writing a letter of support.   Submit here.  David Gorski is a Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University School of Medicine, and a surgical oncologist at the Barbara Ann Kamanos Cancer Insti

This Talking Biotech Podcast features Dr. Ron Herring from Cornell University, a sociologist that carefully examined the claims that seed companies drive farmers in India to take their own lives.  Hosted by Kavin Senapathy. 

About two years ago the internet erupted with a cool kickstarter campaign.  The Glowing Plant Project claimed to want to create trees that would light the streets. The concept spread quickly, with prominent pieces on major websites that stoked contributions to the project.  It would ultimately raise $484,013. Years later there are no glowing plants even in service as dim nightlights, let alone illuminating our cities.  The overselling of this concept was recently reviewed by Antonio Regalato at MIT Technology Review. Natural lighting?  That implies using it as a light.  Not quite .  Today's blog expands on the comments made in Regalato's wonderful article. The Glowing Plant Project thrived on the hype, and did not do itself any favors with a few bad moves that I feel were a bit deceptive, and in the long run, it could have a very negative impact on the perception of edgy science at the public interface.  Even today the website makes a very strong claim, and present

About two years ago the internet erupted with a cool kickstarter campaign.  The Glowing Plant Project claimed to want to create trees that would light the streets. The concept spread quickly, with prominent pieces on major websites that stoked contributions to the project.  It would ultimately raise $484,013. Years later there are no glowing plants even in service as dim nightlights, let alone illuminating our cities.  The overselling of this concept was recently reviewed by Antonio Regalato at MIT Technology Review. Natural lighting?  That implies using it as a light.  Not quite .  Today's blog expands on the comments made in Regalato's wonderful article. The Glowing Plant Project thrived on the hype, and did not do itself any favors with a few bad moves that I feel were a bit deceptive, and in the long run, it could have a very negative impact on the perception of edgy science at the public interface.  Even today the website makes a very strong claim, and present

Just when you think the social media discussion of science can't get any more gross, it does.  This is no longer a discussion about science, about whether to play with DNA or vaccinate kids, about climates changing or chemtrails overhead.  What we are witnessing is a new low by a tiny sub-population of out-of-hand science advocates. The brutality, harassment and name-calling scientists have had to endure, is now going back the other way from those that claim to represent a science-minded community.  Stop now. It is not the way we teach. It is not the way we share what we know.  It is not the way you will represent ideas I hold dear.   Some folks need to rethink their direction if they want to get where they are trying to go. This is no longer about science. It has entered a realm of basic right and wrong. The day science advocates start denigrating others in our name, we've lost, and you shift the focus from bad science to me as your central problem.  Stop wasting m

Just when you think the social media discussion of science can't get any more gross, it does.  This is no longer a discussion about science, about whether to play with DNA or vaccinate kids, about climates changing or chemtrails overhead.  What we are witnessing is a new low by a tiny sub-population of out-of-hand science advocates. The brutality, harassment and name-calling scientists have had to endure, is now going back the other way from those that claim to represent a science-minded community.  Stop now. It is not the way we teach. It is not the way we share what we know.  It is not the way you will represent ideas I hold dear.   Some folks need to rethink their direction if they want to get where they are trying to go. This is no longer about science. It has entered a realm of basic right and wrong. The day science advocates start denigrating others in our name, we've lost, and you shift the focus from bad science to me as your central problem.  Stop wasting m