Open Science Thread

Chris Mooney posted a nice concise piece here on Sputnik, modern science, and the media:

We’ve gone from the age of Edward R. Murrow to the age of Bill O’Reilly. And if we seek the reasons that scientists have seen their influence on policy decline ... we can’t neglect that there’s been very little adaptation on the part of the scientific community to a radically different, and far more challenging, media environment.

Which is a nice segue to Senator Clinton’s recent statement and science policy proposals:

For six and half years under this president, it’s been open season on open inquiry. And by ignoring or manipulating science, the Bush administration is letting our economic competitors get an edge in the global economy ... America led in the 20th century – and with new policies and a renewed commitment to scientific integrity and innovation, America is ready to lead in the 21st.

Would you like to hear more about the views of progressive 2008 Presidential candidates on science and policy? DevilsTower and I would be willing to consider posting that kind of material, IF those of you with access to the candidates/campaigns can help us strike up a conversation with them about it.

• This video posted by Evil Monkey isn't too bad, but don't watch it if you're squeamish. It underscores an important point, one that should be self-evident in the reality based community: no matter how much you believe, when empirically tested, magic doesn't work.
• Angiosperms (Flowering plants) have enjoyed a wildly successful relationship with insects for tens of millions of years. But another, far more ancient clade of seed plants called Cycads, have done pretty well for themselves and their insect-symbionts.
• I have to reiterate that Balloon Juice is hands down the best blog writtten by a science-y, former Republican on what the GOP has become: "religious nuts, Bush sycophants, and some other dead-enders."
• Via aaraujo in comments: "The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly will debate a resolution saying attacks on the theory of evolution are rooted "in forms of religious extremism" and amounted to a dangerous assault on science and human rights."
• Last but certainly not least, courtesy of Mr. Hubble's Space Telescope, drink in this image of Starburst Cluster NGC 3603.