This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
This being Hallowe'en, I felt like I should serve you something scary.
But what?
Verily, we've talked about some scary things here:
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Dangers to life and limb in academic chemistry labs, and the suggestion that lab safety is too expensive.
My unsavory habit of sending gastropods in my garden to a soapy end
Implicit biases that lurk in our brains, waiting to seize control
Scientific frauds
More scary subjects have come up on my other blog, including:
Scientific ghostwriting
The humble chemistry set (which is enough to scare the Department of Homeland Security silly)
Researchers who think it is a good idea to chain young researchers to the lab bench and throw away the key
Scientists who have a pronounced aversion to thinking about ethics
Making this list, I'm very glad it's still light out! Otherwise I might be quaking uncontrollably.
Truth be told, as someone who works with ethics for a living, I'm less afraid of monsters than I am of ordinary humans who lose sight of their duties to their fellow humans.
And frankly, when it comes to things that go bump in the night, I'm less terrified than curious …
especially since the things that go "bump" in my kitchen usually involve the intriguing trio of temperature-, pressure-, and phase-changes -- which is to say, it's nothing a little science couldn't demystify.
Have a happy, safe, and ethical Hallowe'en!