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Category: Popular Culture

Scientists For Sanity: Mr. WhySharksMatter Goes to Washington

Posted on October 29, 2010October 29, 2010 By David Shiffman 4 Comments on Scientists For Sanity: Mr. WhySharksMatter Goes to Washington
Popular Culture

Longtime readers have probably noticed an increase in political-themed posts from me over the last few months. I pointed out that despite satellite photos and computer analysis, Glenn Beck just made up the size of the crowd at his rally. I discussed the bizarre “Save the Light Bulb” movement whose members are actively against energy efficiency. I complained about how one Senator engaged in political grandstanding at the expense of sharks and other species in need of legal protection. Most recently, I wrote about the Tea Party and their anti-global warming, anti-evolution, anti-stem cell agenda.

There are two reasons for the change in content. One is the upcoming midterm elections and my belief that scientists have a stake in the outcome. As a scientist, I feel that the anti-science views of the Tea Party should inspire us to vote. As a political moderate (admittedly left-leaning), I am alarmed by the rise of extremists on both sides, and I wish I could do something about it. If you follow me on twitter, you already know the second reason for the increase in political posts. This weekend, I will be attending the Rally to Restore Sanity.

Read More “Scientists For Sanity: Mr. WhySharksMatter Goes to Washington” »

Be an Oceana Ocean Hero

Posted on October 21, 2010October 20, 2010 By David Shiffman
Conservation, Popular Culture

Check out Oceana’s new ad!

Has CSI jumped the shark?

Posted on October 20, 2010October 19, 2010 By David Shiffman 7 Comments on Has CSI jumped the shark?
Popular Culture

In the language of television reviews, the phrase “jump the shark” refers to a show that has been on the air too long and is out of good ideas. The original use refers to an episode of Happy Days where Fonzi literally jumped over a shark while waterskiing. A recent episode of CSI made me question if they are guilty of this same phenomenon. In episode 2 of season 11 (yes, the show has been on the air for 11 years), a woman is attacked by a shark. CSI watchers know that the show takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, an unusual place for a shark attack. As it turns out, the shark attack took place in a Vegas hotel swimming pool. I’m not joking. Check out the preview:

Read More “Has CSI jumped the shark?” »

A friendly reminder from Penn and Teller on vaccines and autism

Posted on October 16, 2010 By Andrew Thaler 6 Comments on A friendly reminder from Penn and Teller on vaccines and autism
Popular Culture, Science

Watch this clip (warning, some foul language): The head over to a Shot of Prevention and read this excellent post: Why My Child With Autism Is Fully Vaccinated (warning, comments are depressing). ~Southern Fried Scientist

The Sound of Science

Posted on September 30, 2010 By Andrew Thaler
Popular Culture

Tip o’ the Hat to @kzelnio

Atlantis

Posted on September 10, 2010August 31, 2010 By David Shiffman 1 Comment on Atlantis
Popular Culture

The legend of Atlantis, a once-great civilization that sank into the ocean, has captivated humanity’s imagination for over 2,000 years. The earliest mention of Atlantis came from Plato’s Timaeus in 360 B.C., and the idea has spawned countless campfire stories, books, movies, and even one of my favorite TV shows. Plato’s original description mentions an island nation with a mighty military, and claims that the whole island sank after a failed invasion of Athens. Later interpretations of the story have elaborated, giving ancient Atlanteans technology that puts what we have today to shame. Some legends claim that a few Atlanteans escaped the sinking of their city, dispersed around the world, and founded our world’s known ancient civilizations. This fantastical story has wide-ranging implications for human history… but is any of it true?

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Our favorite sea monsters – Scylla and Charybdis (#2)

Posted on September 9, 2010September 2, 2010 By Bluegrass Blue Crab
Popular Culture

Scylla and Charybdis team up to make passing through the Straight of Messina impossible – to be a safe distance from one meant being too close to the other. They were one of Odysseus’ many challenges during his epic journey. Scylla is a six-headed monster storied to have become that way after poisoning by the jealous wife of Poseidon who captured sailors off their boats and ate them. Charybdis is best described as a whirlpool bringing ships to the bottom of the sea. She was the daughter of Poseidon and converted by Zeus.

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The Majestic Plastic Bag

Posted on September 2, 2010 By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Popular Culture

Finding Melville’s Blackberry

Posted on September 1, 2010September 1, 2010 By David Shiffman 3 Comments on Finding Melville’s Blackberry
Popular Culture

This is one of the most clever commercials I have ever seen: ~WhySharksMatter

Finding Mellville’s … dragon?!

Posted on August 31, 2010August 31, 2010 By Andrew Thaler
Popular Culture

In another universe, Queequeg is a woman, Ishmael is a harpooner, and the Great White Whale is a … dragon? Somehow, I can’t quite picture this as a faithful adaptation, but it might be fun. Hat tip to Jason. Follow along with our year long expedition into the real Moby Dick at Finding Melville’s Whale. … Read More “Finding Mellville’s … dragon?!” »

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