In Sweden the government is responsible for selling all alcohol, through a chain of stores called “Systembolaget”. Recently signs have popped up in these stores urging people to buy organic products, for the sake of the environment. A lovely sentiment to be sure, but are their good intentions based on reality? This was interesting to […]
Happy World Press Freedom Day?
Cartoon by Matt Wuerker, Politico Today is the ‘World Press Freedom day”, a day meant to celebrate the right to report on facts to the public without governmental intervention. And indeed many countries have freedom of press laws. Freedom of press is generally improving over time. But at the same time there is no lack […]
If Two Pieces Of Metal Touch In Space They Stick Together Pe...
This doesn’t happen on Earth, because the oxygen in our atmosphere forms an extremely thin film of oxidized metal on every exposed surface. The oxidization layer acts as a barrier that conveniently prevents chunks of metal from sticking to other chunks of metal. In the vacuum of space, however, there is no oxidation layer. […]
The National March for Science [2017 Coverage]
My journey started in Indianapolis International Airport, time 0500, waiting at the gate, for my flight with United Airlines (or not). My name was called by the gate attendant, “we’re still looking for passenger, Lavine.” Oh what could it be? As it turns out, I received an upgrade to First Class. Not that it made […]
The Pale Blue Dot
The pale blue dot. It’s what astronomer Carl Sagan called our home planet when he viewed it from the furthest vantage point a picture of Earth was ever taken. It’s also a beautiful speech, which many agree that everyone should listen very carefully to. The speech brings about a feeling that our problems might not […]
Why We are Marching For Science, An Unfortunately Necessary ...
Updated with new information 17/04-2017 On April the 22nd we will be sending a representative to Washington DC to march for science. The point is to let the new government know that we will not stand for scientific censorship, and to bring public awareness to scientific issues. Scientific Literacy Matters is very serious about equality […]
Hostile Work Conditions at NASA
The above post is from one of the rogue government accounts that have popped up since the new administration started censoring scientists. It’s truly disheartening to see scientists treated like this in a country that is supposed to have freedom of speech. If you work at NASA or with NASA and have a story to […]
SLM Will Be Marching in DC on Earth Day
Hello, once again, our dearest readers. I’ve been trying to think of a clever way to pen this, but I think, instead, I will go with the cut-and-dry method, as the topic calls for it.
Is Natural Selection Making us Dumber?
Many certainly feel like the world is getting dumber. There’s plenty of data to contradict that. Average global IQ is increasing, more and more people are getting access to education. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we are getting smarter either.
Peer Review VS. Public Review
How is scientific research evaluated? Usually through peer-review. Other researchers versed in the subject look through the work and check for errors or ways it can be improved. That’s all good and well, one or more people look over your work and validate it. But what if the general public possessed the knowledge to do […]