As noted in yesterday’s post, the social contract/policy for science is coming under scrutiny. The latest example? A report on the National Science Foundation put out by the office of Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK).  Dan Sarewitz comments in a post … Continue reading →

This weekend we’re honoring those who gave their lives in military service to their country. Many made this sacrifice suddenly. Others have given their lives over a longer period – sometimes a full career dedicated to defending freedom, liberty, democracy. … Continue reading →

Bear with me. These topics are connected. The link is sobering, but if we view it in the right light we can also find it uplifting! It should challenge and energize us all. Memorial Day has a little bit of … Continue reading →

Recently I was graciously invited to contribute to an online forum on possible links between the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and climate change. The forum organizers asked a dozen climate experts (experts? Hmm. make that eleven … Continue reading →

There are bloggers, and then there are actual-card-carrying-journalists-who-happen-to-blog. Andy Revkin is one of the finer examples of the latter, more-select club. His post, Tough Issues with Warnings in Tornado Zones, which appeared on his blog DotEarth, provides a great illustration. … Continue reading →

There’s “vulnerable,” and then there’s vulnerable. Ever wonder what it might be like to be hit by a tornado? At first blush, it might seem that the vigorous tornado season of 2011 has combined with 21st-century IT to leave a … Continue reading →

A couple of days ago, Judith Curry provided a signature-thoughtful post on her excellent blog, Climate Etc. Entitled U.S. Military and climate skeptics, it builds on a piece by Jules Boykoff that appeared in The Guardian. Judith’s post, Boykoff’s article, … Continue reading →

“I meet, therefore I am.” Rene Descartes, the French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher (1596-1650, quoted during a brief interview granted when he recently visited the 21st century via Time Machine). “Wasn’t that, ‘I think, therefore I am?’ Cogito, ergo sum?” … Continue reading →

Wednesday a good friend and I were talking and the subject turned to water…and, in particular, transboundary water disputes around the world. The background? Many rivers provide part or all of the boundaries separating neighboring countries or states. Many other … Continue reading →

Sometime back in the day (late 1960’s, early ‘70’s) I happened to pick up an issue of Consumer Reports. I forget what buying decision I was trying to make at the time. Why? Because I was stunned by what I … Continue reading →