Monthly Archives: September 2013

PopSci: “Comments can be bad for science”

Popular Science just announced that they’re turning off reader comments on at least some science articles: It wasn’t a decision we made lightly. As the news arm of a 141-year-old science and technology magazine, we are as committed to fostering … Continue reading

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Department of the Drama, Science in culture & policy, Science Journalism, Web 2.0, New Media, and Gadgets | Comments Off

Call for Artwork: U.S. State Dep’t Marine Debris Art Challenge

Have you made artwork out of marine debris? The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific Affairs is inviting submissions to the “Marine Debris Art Challenge” (hosted at flickr). Entries must: list your country, specify … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Education, Events, Science in culture & policy, Uncategorized | Comments Off

October 5: NYC Festival of Medical History and the Arts

Due to some very unfortunate trip planning on my part, I will be on the other side of the country when some of my favorite people appear at the Festival of Medical History and the Arts in three weeks. Don’t … Continue reading

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Education, Events, History of Science, Medical Illustration and History, Science in culture & policy | Comments Off

“Meat the Future”: The In Vitro Meat Cookbook

It’s a book of recipes that you can’t cook . . . yet! Those diehard dietary techno-optimists over at NextNature are preparing a speculative “In Vitro Meat Cookbook” to explore the outer bounds of what one might make from in … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Books, Design, Film, Video & Music, Science in culture & policy, Yikes! | Comments Off

Weekend Mappy Links: Ancient Landscapes, A Map Library Speakeasy, Forensic Topology, Mapping Disasters, Cymatics

An expert on mapping ancient landscapes explains why Big Oil is his biggest customer, among other things. (interview at BLDGBLOG) For bibliophiles: a ton of photos from a visit to the Prelinger Library (AKA the “speakeasy of [map] libraries”). (by … Continue reading

Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Data Visualization, Ephemera, Film, Video & Music, Maps, Neuroscience | Comments Off

The evolutionary history of feathers

If you haven’t already read Brian Switek’s My Beloved Brontosaurus (the New York Times called it “a delight,” and said “[t]his may be the one book for catching up on what has become of the dinosaurs you thought you knew … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Books, Education, Museum Lust, Science, Science Journalism | Comments Off

Friday Frivolity: Concepts in Ant Farm Design

Jeff Schwarting didn’t like the pre-fab plastic look of commercial ant farms, so he designed a farm of his own and put it on Kickstarter. His farm uses “space gel,” which serves as food source, water source, and tunneling medium. I’m … Continue reading

Posted in Biology, Conspicuous consumption, Education, Ephemera, Frivolity | Comments Off

Michelle Schaefer: Encaustic Nebulae

Michelle Schaefer The Constant Observer Michelle Schaefer‘s booth caught my eye at a recent art festival. From across the street, I was immediately drawn to the strong contrast between deep darks and fiery reds and yellows in her work — contrasts that … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, DC Area Events | Comments Off

A few design links: curvilinear copper bird feeder, spiny vodka, and type hunting

This gorgeous copper birdfeeder, which is hands-down the most elegant bird feeder I’ve ever seen, was designed “by a Swiss-trained metal craftsman. Together with his wife, he developed the piece’s unique curvilinear form by using cardboard paper.” (seen at Better … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, Blogs and Blogging, Conspicuous consumption, Design, Medical Illustration and History, Photography | Comments Off

Jewelled skeletons: how Damien Hirst was scooped 500 years ago

Remember when bad-boy artist Damien Hirst got all that press for covering a human skull in diamonds? According to a new book by Paul Koudounaris, Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs, he was about 500 years … Continue reading

Posted in Artists & Art, Books, Medical Illustration and History, Museum Lust | Comments Off