HeLa book review

Posted on By Bluegrass Blue Crab 1 Comment on HeLa book review
Uncategorized

book cover
picture courtesy of TerraSig

I could write a hundred different kinds of reviews for Rebecca Skloot’s new book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and they would all be nothing but favorable.  The book has three take-home points: informed consent, privacy issues, and race/class relations.  One of the biggest things to note about the book, however, is the personal story of the author included in the book – the challenges included in doing ethnographic research.  Yet it’s precisely this perspective that makes the book so spectacular, finally bringing Henrietta’s family the recognition they deserve.  Recognition that remains the only thing they’ve ever asked for in return for their family’s donation and subsequent sacrifices.

Read More “HeLa book review” »

Philosophy of activism: “I bet we can find one million” facebook groups

Posted on By David Shiffman 20 Comments on Philosophy of activism: “I bet we can find one million” facebook groups
Uncategorized

Image from montana.edu

It’s time for another “philosophy of activism” discussion, in which we debate a tactic that a particular group of activists is using in order to determine if the environmental movement should adopt it. This time, we turn to Facebook.

As a Facebook addict, I’ve noticed a new trend: groups that say “I bet we can find one million people who (insert your cause here)”. Examples include “I bet we can find one million people who support same sex marriage”, “I bet we can find one million people against abortion,” and “I bet we can find one million people who want Japan to stop killing whales”.  There are over 1,100 such groups (though some are not political in nature, such as “I bet we can find one million people who hate the Jonas Brothers”. Let’s discuss whether or not these groups help their respective causes.

Read More “Philosophy of activism: “I bet we can find one million” facebook groups” »

Blogger Day at the Georgia Aquarium

Posted on By David Shiffman 2 Comments on Blogger Day at the Georgia Aquarium
Science

I will be attending “blogger day” this Saturday at the Georgia Aquarium this Saturday. I’ve heard some good things about the aquarium and their “Planet Shark: Predator or Prey” exhibit, and I’m excited to finally check it out. The last time I was in Atlanta was literally one week before they opened. I’ll have a … Read More “Blogger Day at the Georgia Aquarium” »