My 1992 Profile of Cosmic Trickster and Inflation Pioneer Andrei Linde
Yesterday, I expressed doubts about claims that observations of gravitational waves provide “proof” of inflation, a 24 year old theory of cosmic creation.
Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
Space & Physics
Why I Still Doubt Inflation, in Spite of Gravitational Wave Findings
I hoped I was wrong about inflation. For decades I’ve been bashing this theory of cosmic creation, lumping it together with strings, multiverses (which inflation has helped popularize) and other highly speculative propositions sprung from theorists’ fecund minds...
Much-Hyped Brain-Implant Treatment for Depression Suffers Setback
All of us--researchers, journalists, patients and their loved ones–are desperate for genuine progress in treatments for severe mental illness.
My Exchange with Neil deGrasse Tyson about Science and War
In my last post, I criticized Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of the new science series Cosmos, which is premiering tonight, for downplaying historical links between science and war.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Please Speak Out about Militarization of Science!
I hope Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey is a smash hit when it debuts Sunday night, as much so as the 1980 Cosmos hosted by astrophysicist Carl Sagan.
Mind & Brain
Did Sherlock Holmes Believe in God?
I’ve become, belatedly, a Sherlock Holmes groupie. I dig the BBC series Sherlock, starring the suddenly ubiquitous Benedict Cumberbatch, and the American series Elementary (which I prefer–Lucy Liu is the best Watson ever)...
U.S. Lacks Moral Authority to Criticize Russia for Intervening in Ukraine
Once again, the United States government is chastising another nation for resorting to military force to solve a problem. The New York Times reports today that Russian troops, acting on orders of President Vladimir Putin, have swept into the Crimea region of Ukraine after a popular uprising led to the ouster of a pro-Russian government [...]..
Mind & Brain
Programs for Troubled Vets Don’t Work, So How about Ending War?
There is a shamefully broad gap between the lip service that we Americans give soldiersor “heroes,” as we love to call themand our actual treatment of them.
What Should We Teach When We Teach Science Communication?
We just began a new undergraduate program in Science Communication at my school, Stevens Institute of Technology, and I’m agonizing over what to teach.
Valentine’s Suggestion for Crabby Couples: Forget Counseling, Watch a Movie
In a previous post, I suggested that brain implants might help couples resolve their differences. That’s an admittedly drastic solution, not to mention that implants for direct, brain-to-brain, wifi communication don’t exist yet...
Blog Index
@ScientificAmerican
STAFFBehind the scenes at Scientific American
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Anecdotes from the Archive
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Anthropology in Practice
Exploring the human condition.
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Beautiful Minds
Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being
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Budding Scientist
Everything you always wanted to know about raising science-literate kids
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Cross-Check
Critical views of science in the news
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Dark Star Diaries
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Dog Spies
Explore the science behind the dog in your bed
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Extinction Countdown
News and research about endangered species from around the world
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Eye of the Storm
The Science Behind Extreme Weather
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Frontiers for Young Minds
Science by and for kids ages 8-15
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Guest Blog
Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American
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Hot Planet
Climate science in a changing world
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Illusion Chasers
Illusions, Delusions, and Everyday Deceptions
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Life, Unbounded
Discussion and news about planets, exoplanets, and astrobiology
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Observations
Opinion, arguments & analyses from guest experts and from the editors of Scientific American
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Roots of Unity
Mathematics: learning it, doing it, celebrating it.
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Rosetta Stones
Adventures in the good science of rock-breaking.
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SA Visual
STAFFIllustrating science since 1845
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Talking back
STAFFA science blog, sans blague
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The Artful Amoeba
A Blog About the Weird Wonderfulness of Life on Earth
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Voices
Exploring and celebrating diversity in science.
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