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Conversations about Science Communication and Communicating Science

Archive for the ‘All’ Category

Oct
10

Episode 14 : “Exoplanets” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on October 10, 2013

Streamed live on 10 October 2013

Our conversation was almost as large as the universe when we talked with Lee Billings, discussing his book “Five Million Years of Solitude : The Search for Life among the Stars”. In addition to the scientists and the technology–and the results!–of searching for the existence of planets beyond our own solar system, we pretty much touched on questions relating to life, the universe, and everything, including communicating science, of course. As usual, we had a lively conversation about lots of interesting ideas.

Sep
19

Episode 13 : “Sports Science” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on September 19, 2013

Streamed live on 19 September 2013

Our especially brave guest for our lucky-thirteenth show was David Epstein, author of “The Sports Gene : Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance.” As always we had a wide-ranging conversation that included not only engaging topics, amusing anecdotes, and fascinating facts from his book, but a discussion about how to communicate necessary and interesting stories — about science or most anything else worthy of the time — that take some time to tell. We had something for sports enthusiasts and science enthusiasts, and for those who happen to be both, all in one great conversation.

Sep
19

Episode 13 : “Sports Science” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on September 19, 2013

Streamed live on 19 September 2013

Our especially brave guest for our lucky-thirteenth show was David Epstein, author of “The Sports Gene : Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance.” As always we had a wide-ranging conversation that included not only engaging topics, amusing anecdotes, and fascinating facts from his book, but a discussion about how to communicate necessary and interesting stories — about science or most anything else worthy of the time — that take some time to tell. We had something for sports enthusiasts and science enthusiasts, and for those who happen to be both, all in one great conversation.

Sep
09

Episode 12 : “The Autistic Brain” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on September 9, 2013

Streamed live on 9 September 2013

We talked with Temple Grandin and Richard Panek, authors of “The Autistic Brain : Thinking Across the Spectrum” about autism and sensory disorders and neurological brain-imaging tools and thinking in pictures and thinking in patterns, and lots of other stuff too. As Richard put it, we covered a lot of ground, and our guests were generous with amusing anecdotes and amazing insights.

We recorded this episode in collaboration with Scientific American, and we are grateful to them for their support and most excellent production help.

Sep
09

Episode 12 : “The Autistic Brain” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on September 9, 2013

Streamed live on 9 September 2013

We talked with Temple Grandin and Richard Panek, authors of “The Autistic Brain : Thinking Across the Spectrum” about autism and sensory disorders and neurological brain-imaging tools and thinking in pictures and thinking in patterns, and lots of other stuff too. As Richard put it, we covered a lot of ground, and our guests were generous with amusing anecdotes and amazing insights.

We recorded this episode in collaboration with Scientific American, and we are grateful to them for their support and most excellent production help.

Aug
27

Episode 11 : “E.O.Wilson (Myrmecology Rocks!)” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on August 27, 2013

Streamed live on 27 August 2013

Myrmecologist, entomologist, naturalist, writer, and thinker about the human condition, Edward O. Wilson was our guest to talk about his recent book, “Letters to a Young Scientist”, what it takes–and doesn’t take–to have a successful life in science, and how we can encourage (and must encourage) more people to be involved with science, and more young people to take a path that leads to a career in science.

While we were at it we solved many of the world’s challenges, enjoyed a chicken-salad sandwich, talked about Base Camp Math, and discussed the book’s motto: “You are needed!”

We recorded this episode in collaboration with Scientific American in celebration of their 168th anniversary, and we are grateful to them for their support and most excellent production help.

Aug
27

Episode 11 : “E.O.Wilson (Myrmecology Rocks!)” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on August 27, 2013

Streamed live on 27 August 2013

Myrmecologist, entomologist, naturalist, writer, and thinker about the human condition, Edward O. Wilson was our guest to talk about his recent book, “Letters to a Young Scientist”, what it takes–and doesn’t take–to have a successful life in science, and how we can encourage (and must encourage) more people to be involved with science, and more young people to take a path that leads to a career in science.

While we were at it we solved many of the world’s challenges, enjoyed a chicken-salad sandwich, talked about Base Camp Math, and discussed the book’s motto: “You are needed!”

We recorded this episode in collaboration with Scientific American in celebration of their 168th anniversary, and we are grateful to them for their support and most excellent production help.

Aug
01

Episode 10 : “Genomics” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on August 1, 2013

Streamed live on 1 August 2013

Human genomics since the time of the Human Genome Project and the first sequencing of the human genome was our twenty-first century topic, and we covered a lot of ground with three well-informed and interesting interlocutors: Misha Angrist, author of “Here is a Human Being”, Kevin Davies, author of “The $1,000 Dollar Genome”, and Matthew Herper, science & medicine writer at Forbes Magazine.

Aug
01

Episode 10 : “Genomics” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on August 1, 2013

Streamed live on 1 August 2013

Human genomics since the time of the Human Genome Project and the first sequencing of the human genome was our twenty-first century topic, and we covered a lot of ground with three well-informed and interesting interlocutors: Misha Angrist, author of “Here is a Human Being”, Kevin Davies, author of “The $1,000 Dollar Genome”, and Matthew Herper, science & medicine writer at Forbes Magazine.

Jul
18

Episode 9 : “Oncogenes & Carcinogens” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on July 18, 2013

Streamed live on 18 July 2013

In this episode we have a lively discussion about the genetic roots of cancer, how carcinogens get involved, how to communicate that to the public, and how the public can arm themselves against those who try to manipulate science to suit their own ends.

And we did this with two great writers on the subject: Dan Fagin, author of “Toms River : A Story of Science and Salvation”, and Jessica Wapner, author of “The Philadelphia Chromosome : A Mutant Gene and the Quest to Cure Cancer at the Genetic Level”.

Jul
10

Episode 8 : “Biotech Revolution” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on July 10, 2013

Streamed live on 10 July 2013

Today’s conversation was all about biotechnology, clones, research ethics, and mad scientists. What didn’t we talk about!

Our guests were Emily Anthes, author of “Frankenstein’s Cat”, and Terry Johnson and Kyle Kurpinski, authors of “How To Defeat Your Own Clone”.

Jul
10

Episode 8 : “Biotech Revolution” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on July 10, 2013

Streamed live on 10 July 2013

Today’s conversation was all about biotechnology, clones, research ethics, and mad scientists. What didn’t we talk about!

Our guests were Emily Anthes, author of “Frankenstein’s Cat”, and Terry Johnson and Kyle Kurpinski, authors of “How To Defeat Your Own Clone”.

Jun
19

Episode 7 : “Wild & Cute Baby Animals” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on June 19, 2013

Streamed live on 19 June 2013

Today we talked to wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas about combining science and art in her series of books with stories and images about the life of animal families on the African Savanna, as well as her keen interest in conservation and lending her support to small conservation groups doing big jobs around the world. Plus the usual assortment of related and unrelated topics.

Learn more about Suzi’s projects and publications at her website: http://www.suzieszterhas.com/.

Jun
19

Episode 7 : “Wild & Cute Baby Animals” edition (audio)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on June 19, 2013

Streamed live on 19 June 2013

Today we talked to wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas about combining science and art in her series of books with stories and images about the life of animal families on the African Savanna, as well as her keen interest in conservation and lending her support to small conservation groups doing big jobs around the world. Plus the usual assortment of related and unrelated topics.

Learn more about Suzi’s projects and publications at her website: http://www.suzieszterhas.com/.

Jun
12

Episode 6 : “Mission to Mars” edition (video)

Posted by jnshaumeyer on June 12, 2013

Streamed live on 12 June 2013

In this RS! episode we talked with famed moon-walker and space visionary, Buzz Aldrin, about his book, “Mission to Mars”, and his vision for establishing a permanent human presence on Mars. Later in the episode we were joined by Leonard David, Buzz’s co-author on the book, to talk some about their experiences with spreading the idea and engaging the public with the excitement of space exploration.