Author: David Shiffman

Monday morning blogaerobics: shark news roundup and a message from Antarctica

Posted on By David Shiffman
Science

In the last few weeks, I’ve been busy with final exams and the start of my field season. Fortunately, many of the other shark bloggers have written about the important topics I’ve missed. RTSea and Underwater Thrills both have written about how the Gulf oil spill can affect whale sharks, which are filter feeders who … Read More “Monday morning blogaerobics: shark news roundup and a message from Antarctica” »

Does fast-forwarding through commercials hurt advertisers?

Posted on By David Shiffman 12 Comments on Does fast-forwarding through commercials hurt advertisers?
Popular Culture, Science

ResearchBlogging.org

A few weeks ago, my co-bloggers were doubtful that it is possible to watch 36 hours of television in a week. The main factor that makes television viewing on this scale possible for me is the DVR, which allows

me to tape two shows simultaneously. It also allows me to easily fast-forward through commercials, and  because of the DVR,  the only commercials I see anymore are when I’m watching live sports. While the ability to easily record a show and watch it later (and fast forward through commercials as you watch it later) has improved the quality of life for my roommates and me, I’ve often wondered how it affects advertisers. After all, it’s their money that pays for my favorite shows.

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Bacon Blog Wars part deux: Dubba Dow!

Posted on By David Shiffman
Uncategorized

Andrew just said the magic words- “There’s been far too much Science around here lately, and not nearly as much Southern Fried.”

Those of you who follow me on Twitter already know that I recently earned the honor of being one of the first three people in Charleston to try KFC’s new Double Down. The other two were friends of mine. What is the Double Down, you ask? It’s a sandwich with “so much flavor that there’s no room for bread”.  It’s cheese, bacon, and sauce in between two slices of fried chicken.

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Last year’s Shark Week coverage

Posted on By David Shiffman 2 Comments on Last year’s Shark Week coverage
Popular Culture, Science

The online shark science community has been critical of the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” in the past because some of the documentaries promote fear of sharks at a time when we should be promoting respect and conservation. According to the Dorsal Fin blog, this year is looking like it will bring us more of the same, though one particular story won’t be covered because it happened so recently.  Since Shark Week is starting to be discussed again by the blogosphere, I am re-posting all of last year’s Shark Week coverage. This includes an interview with the Discovery Channel’s Senior Science Editor (originally here), a detailed evaluation of each of the Shark Week specials (originally here), and ten suggestions for how to improve future Shark Week programming (originally here). All of the original comments are preserved at the old site.

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Scientia Pro Publica #30

Posted on By David Shiffman 5 Comments on Scientia Pro Publica #30
Science

I am proud to host the latest edition of Scientia Pro Publica, a blog carnival that celebrates that best science, medicine, and nature writing aimed at the general public. Biology/Evolution/Conservation Melissa from Out Walking the Dog invites you to celebrate Bird Neck Appreciation Day. Learn how and why bird necks are so flexible and diverse. … Read More “Scientia Pro Publica #30” »

WhySharksMatter attends an offshore drilling public hearing

Posted on By David Shiffman
Conservation

A few weeks ago, I attended a public hearing about offshore oil drilling here in Charleston. I filmed the public comment period, and several participants agreed to be interviewed after the hearing ended. I have over 3 hours of footage if anyone is curious about what didn’t make the final cut. Interestingly, only a few participants lived in South Carolina. Oil companies and conservation NGO’s sent people from their Washington, DC headquarters. Most of the people who spoke were affiliated with a conservation NGO or an oil company or conservation NGO, but the unaffiliated individuals (residents of South Carolina) who spoke were all opposed to offshore drilling.

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Hawaii shark fin bill passes!

Posted on By David Shiffman 1 Comment on Hawaii shark fin bill passes!
Conservation, Science

A few weeks ago, I asked readers to voice their support for a proposed anti-shark finning bill in Hawaii. Those of you who follow me on Twitter have seen numerous updates about this important issue.  I am pleased to report that the bill passed both the House and Senate this morning, and it will soon go to the desk of the Governor of Hawaii. If signed (and everyone is pretty optimistic that it will be signed), it will be the strongest shark conservation law in North America- and one of the strongest in the world. Stefanie Brendl, President of Shark Allies and owner of Hawaii Shark Encounter worked harder than anyone on this issue, and she has agreed to answer a few questions about it for us.

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Ethical Debate: Should we have freed Willy?

Posted on By David Shiffman 65 Comments on Ethical Debate: Should we have freed Willy?
Conservation, Science

Jean-Michel Cousteau with an orca. Photo credit: Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society

The  death of Sea World trainer Dawn Branchaeu revived an old debate over whether it is appropriate to keep orca whales in captivity. Many people are calling for all captive orcas to be set free, but I continue to support aquariums because of the roles they serve as educators and conservationists. Although several readers have pointed out that the sea world incident itself would make for a solid ethical debate, I am instead going to take you back more than 15 years to a movie that started this whole movement: Free Willy.

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