The book Unscientific America (My review here) has been kicking up a minor feud in some circles. A detailed recap is here, but at the heart of it is two short chapters out of over a dozen in which the authors write that 1) scientists could improve on efforts to communicate to the public, and 2) noted that in the past, there are better strategies than stressing atheism if the goal is to build bridges and interest between the general public or religious moderates and reliable, accurate science. I happen to agree (Most atheist I know do too). But I didn't come to that conclusion because of Unscientific America. I learned it years ago from the National Center for Science Education.
The NCSE supports teaching evolution in K-12 science classes and raises public awareness of efforts to dismantle it. They do so by presenting the facts of science, managing a database of creationist claims and tactics, and making constitutional arguments to the general public, interest groups, and in court. Despite a massive financial disadvantage with creationist orgs, the NCSE has won using that approach time and time again. In science, results matter.
- If you want to see a book that has a chapter that really is truly horrible, check out the reviews on Superfreakonomics
- Warning: not for the squeamish. Gentlemen, you will cringe in sympathy, gasp at the pointless physical pain inflicted on the innocent by the nauseatingly stupid and creepy. And yet once you start, you can't stop reading with jaws gaping wider in horror the whole way through.
- The Ares X-1 is on the pad for it's planned launch on Oct 27.
- European astronomers have announced a whole bevy of exosolar planets. I have details and some gorgeous illustrations of a few exosolar denizens posted here.