Science, Nature & Technology

If you were in charge of funding research...

feeds@yuku.com (MadArchitect) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:05:02 GMT

Let's say that the government office responsible for dispensing funding for scientific research has hired you to decide what three research topics will get the most support over the next five years? What research topics would you fund?

Is science only (or even mostly) a method?

feeds@yuku.com (MadArchitect) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:46:47 GMT

In the poll thread "What do you believe about science?", several people questioned the validity of the some of the options I presented because the focussed in part on our reactions to the findings of science. I want to raise some questions in this thread, but for anyone still looking for some answer as to why I provided the options that I did, here are the basics.

One of the most frequent responses in that thread was that science was first and foremost a method of inquiry....

Solar Panels

feeds@yuku.com (tarav) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:10:27 GMT

Does anyone have any information on solar panels? I am looking for information on government or state incentives as well as initial and long-term costs/benefits. I did a search and came up with incentives for businesses instead of the residential info. I was seeking. I have heard that electric companies will work with you by allowing you to store energy with them and supplement you in times that you're low, but this is all vague memories of past casual conversations. So, really any info....

Dawkins on Behe

feeds@yuku.com (LanDroid) — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:17:18 GMT

Some Behe better break out the blister creme.

I had expected to be as irritated by Michael Behe's second book as by his first. I had not expected to feel sorry for him.
www.nytimes.com/2007/07/0...ref=review

Stem cells from skin cells

feeds@yuku.com (irishrosem) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:39:22 GMT

Scientists Use Skin To Create Stem Cells

Quote:
Three teams of scientists said yesterday they had coaxed ordinary mouse skin cells to become what are effectively embryonic stem cells without creating or destroying embryos in the process -- an advance...

Questions about global warming

feeds@yuku.com (Frank 013) — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:39:25 GMT

I really do not know very much about this subject, but I find the controversy interesting and important.

I know that the Earth's temperature has risen 1 degree in the last 100 years and that the ice caps are melting at an alarming rate. I am also aware of the buildup of green house gasses in the ice in Antarctica, and I agree that this is disturbing circumstantial evidence.

But I also know that in the past the Earth has been far warmer than it is now and I think it would...

Another habitable planet?

feeds@yuku.com (tarav) — Wed, 02 May 2007 15:23:37 GMT

Recently I read an article about a planet that might be hospitable to life. It is an Earth-like planet that seems likely to have water and a temperature that supports life. It is in another solar system though--too far away to travel to in a lifetime. This article made me think of Pale Blue Dot. I love thinking about life elsewhere! Besides, we might need another planet to call home. I look forward to hearing more about this new planet. I can't remember where I read the article, but if...

What do you believe about science?

feeds@yuku.com (MadArchitect) — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:29:15 GMT

I don't intend to make an argument out of this, but I am interested in how most BookTalk contributors would reaspond. Please choose the predicate that best reflects your view.

I believe science...

What the hell? 13% of Atheists believe in Creationism

feeds@yuku.com (Niall001) — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:26:07 GMT

A new creationism/evolution poll, but few surprises
www.ncseweb.org/resources...4_2007.asp

A poll recently conducted for Newsweek by Princeton Survey Research Associates International contained two questions relevant to the creationism/evolution controversy. The results were broadly consistent with those of previous polls...

Alberta's development boom helps fossil hunters hit pay dirt

feeds@yuku.com (Loricat) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:21:43 GMT

This is a very cool story about looking for one thing, and stumbling on a mother lode of archaeological artifacts. Because of all the development in the province of Alberta, this is becoming quite common.

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Lo and behold, Evolutionary Theory actually works!

feeds@yuku.com (misterpessimistic) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:11:07 GMT

New Dinosaur

Quote:
Sun Mar 4, 2:43 AM ET

CLEVELAND - A new dinosaur species was a plant-eater with yard-long horns over its eyebrows, suggesting an evolutionary middle step between older dinosaurs with even larger horns and the small-horned creatures that followed,...

Stephen Hawking Plans Prelude to the Ride of His Life

feeds@yuku.com (misterpessimistic) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:40:00 GMT

www.nytimes.com/2007/03/01/science/01hawking.html?ex=1173416400&en=96f6e7351c52dbcb&ei=5070&emc=eta1

Quote:
On April 26, Dr. Hawking, surrounded by a medical entourage, is to take a zero-gravity ride out of Cape Canaveral on a so-called vomit comet, a padded aircraft that flies a roller-coaster trajectory to produce...

www.booktalk.org - our new online reading group forums

feeds@yuku.com (Chris OConnor) — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:22:08 GMT

Join our free online reading group at www.booktalk.org!

If you are a past BookTalk.org member wishing to access your old ezboard account on our new book discussion forums please send me an email at chris AT booktalk DOT org. Tell me your ezboard name and the email address you would like used with your new account and I will email you a new password. Once you have your new password you should go to

Why Magenta is NOT a color.

feeds@yuku.com (misterpessimistic) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 09:43:23 GMT

Magenta's Story

Quote:
A beam of white light is made up of all the colours in the spectrum. The range extends from red through to violet, with orange, yellow, green and blue in between. But there is one colour that is notable by its absence (click here to check). Pink (or magenta, to use its official...

Roger Penrose - The Road to Reality

feeds@yuku.com (capecodindependant) — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:52:46 GMT

I've been flipping through the pages of this enormous book and have learned alot about the laws that govern our universe.
Penrose starts from the beginning of time and sets the reader on a voyage into the heart of complex mathematical theory.
Its an astonishing book.Please read it.
Thanks

Now there's a game....

feeds@yuku.com (Loricat) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 13:03:59 GMT

Here's the latest bit of shite from fundamentalist USA: Intelligent Design vs Evolution: The Game

Quote:
But the truth is that this game was deliberately and intelligently designed to help fight against the brainwashing of an entire generation. It clearly shows that the modern Darwinian theory of...

Roger Penrose

feeds@yuku.com (capecodindependant) — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:44:04 GMT

I swear His new book "Road to Reality" is a delightful read.
Its absolutely brillant.I highly recommend it to any person.

Thanks.

Hobbit Declared a New Species as Debate Continues

feeds@yuku.com (misterpessimistic) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:40:16 GMT

Hobbit Species Debate Article

Quote:
Ker Than
LiveScience Staff Writer
LiveScience.com
Mon Jan 29, 5:40 PM ET

New computerized casts of abnormally small Homo sapiens brains are reigniting the debate over the...

Scientists Spot Key Autoimmune Disease Genes

feeds@yuku.com (misterpessimistic) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:43:03 GMT

I may sound harsh here, but if we continue to find ways to keep people alive longer, are we setting ourselves up for another possible problem with overpopulation and the ills that can bring?

Mr. P.

Scientists Spot Key Autoimmune Disease Genes

...

Great editorial cartoon

feeds@yuku.com (Loricat) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:56:02 GMT

"All beings are the owners of their deeds, the heirs to their deeds."

Loricat's Book Nook
Celebrating the Absurd