David’s Comments (group member since Dec 13, 2009)

David’s comments from the Science and Inquiry group.

Behzad wrote: "Yes, I've had some cases involving forensics where my background was helpful to understanding the technical issues."

Welcome to the group, Behzad. Your background reminded me of a very interesting TED talk, given by forensic psychologist Scott Fraser.

Hi Sara--welcome to the group! Feel free to start a thread/discussion on the subject of neuroscience or oncology!

I have just finished reading The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code, by Sean Kean. It is an excellent book, very entertaining and informative. Here is my review.

Steve wrote: "Five stars for Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight by paleoanthropolgist, Pat Shipman.

I loved this book and was sad that it had to end. I now wish I had done a better job..."

Steve, nominate it again!

Thanks for the recommendation, Aaron. I've put the book on my To Read list, and put a hold at the library :-)

Welcome, Ashley! What types of things do you teach at the university's astronomy labs?

Hi Hasan, hi David. Welcome to the group!

I read both 1491 and 1493. Both are excellent--I liked 1491 a little better. Lots of fascinating--and sometimes surprising--insights into a topic that doesn't get much press.

Steve, I agree: Before the Dawn is an excellent book. The lines of reasoning used in archaeogenetics are very interesting. Highly recommended.

I just finished reading Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell. It is an excellent book about the importance of a "wholistic" approach to preventing disease and maintaining health. I recommend it very highly to anybody interested in medical science, research, and the medical industry. Here is my review.

Roger wrote: "I enjoy Phys Org (http://phys.org/) which, despite its name, covers all of the sciences. I think it has something for everyone. You can choose to receive newsletters on topics of interest and there..."

Thanks for the link, Roger. I've checked it out--it's very nice!

DeLene wrote: "And I can't help but point out that some of the sites mentioned here (Science Daily, university news offices) are technically public relations sites, where reseasrch institutions push press releases of their own researchers' news. Just keep that in mind when reading as PR material is not unbiased. "

Thanks for pointing that out, DeLene. I have become somewhat disappointed with ScienceDaily.com, partly for the reason you mention. Every article states that the new research has great potential for future breakthroughs. This past week, for example, I read that copper has been identified as the "cause" of Alzheimer's disease. In another article--the same week!--I read that iron is definitely the cause of Alzheimer's disease. It seems like a lot of self-serving non-reproducible results. And, to top it off, many of the articles aren't about science at all. More like technology, and sometimes simply the results of opinion polls. Blahh.

I just finished reading Last Ape Standing: The Seven-Million-Year Story of How and Why We Survived. Chip Walter is an excellent author--I really appreciate his writing style. Here is my review.

Very interesting, Aaron! Networks is a popular theme in mathematics right now. It sounds like a theme similar to another excellent book I read, Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Business, Science, and Everyday Life.

Welcome, Rida! You should find some interesting discussions here. Please join our conversations!

The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe is a pretty complete guide to physics, and not an easy read. Chelsea, if you make it through the book--even the first half--I congratulate you!

Stan wrote: "I think Dr. Carl Sagan wrote books about subjects in which he did not hold degrees. Certainly Isaac Asimov did. Last Ape Standing is well documented, and the author points out areas where the con..."

Very true! It's just that, if I have the choice between two good books, and in one it is written, "Then he discovered that ...", and in the other one it is written, "Then I discovered that ..." the second book just seems more exciting and authentic.

Glynn wrote: "Hmm....wasn't obvious to me about him not being a scientist until you mentioned it, David. Then I looked at the blurb of his bio on the jacket. Not sure why the book loses "credibility" because of ..."

I worry whether an author who has not worked in a field will have the in-depth understanding that is so useful in conveying the "state-of-the-art" to his readers. This book, like others written by journalists, is lots of fun to read. But many such books, while entertaining, don't seem to convey the excitement of the detective work, the hunt for the truth, and the feeling of authority that persuades the reader that "this author really knows what he is talking about."

On the other hand, there are lots of books by scientists that, while authoritative and credible, are incredibly dull. I try to steer away from such books, unless necessary.

I've started the book, and find it to be engaging and an easy read. It's obvious that the author is not a scientist, so to me, the book loses some credibility.

Hi Nivalth. Welcome to our group! I hope you participate in our discussions about physics, and many other science topics.