Category: History & Philosophy of Science
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Book Review: Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World
Modern society is far removed from the reality of death. That was not the case for the vast majority of human history, when parents would produce multiple offspring in the hope that a few might survive to adulthood. Well into the 20th century, infectious diseases cut lives tragically short, often in gruesome ways, radically transforming…
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Mother Nature as a Geopolitical Force
History is biased, and not just because the victors tend to write it. The study of history is largely the study of humankind – specifically, the geopolitical events that have shaped human actions (and vice versa) over millennia. It’s true that to learn from the past, we must study ourselves. But what if we’re missing…
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Stephen Hawking Developed An Odd Penchant For Doomsday Fearmongering Late In His Life
He spoke with the religious fervor of a modern-day Jonathan Edwards, but instead of sinners in the hands of an angry God, we were humans in the hands of an angry universe. Read the rest at The Federalist.
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Solar Eclipses Have Always Been Weird. Don’t Let This One Weird You Out
From folklore to numerology, solar eclipses have inspired fear, awe and even ads for copulation during the moment of totality. Read the rest at USA Today.
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Consensus Is Part of the Scientific Method
I like to imagine the scientific method as resembling the solar system. The planets, traveling in perfect orbits, represent the pillars of the scientific method: Observations, hypotheses, predictions/experiments, and continuous refinements. What holds all of this together — the inward tug of gravity in this analogy — is consensus.
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How Yellowstone Revolutionized Biotechnology
The beautiful hot springs played a direct role in the biotechnology revolution.
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The Great ‘Monkeys on Mars’ Conspiracy
Look, I’m just asking questions.
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The Smartest Person Who Ever Lived
The more I study Isaac Newton, the more fascinating he becomes.
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Is Anything Certain in Science?
Extreme skepticism and extreme credulity are anathema to the scientific mindset.