It’s nice to know that while science is increasingly under attack here in the States, other countries are embracing it. If you’re in Australia, be aware that August 16 – 24 is National Science Week. There are lots of events planned, including touring lectures by scientists — and I see my friend and fellow skeptic Michael Shermer is giving some talks Down Under too (I’d be jealous — I love Oz — but I’ll be in the Galapagos that week having science adventures myself).
Gail Miller, an Aussie skeptic whom I met at the last Amazing Meeting skeptic conference in Vegas, pointed this science celebration out to me. She is the producer of a show called The Man in the Lab Coat, a comedic look at science. Ben MacKenzie, the titular Man, is taking his show to schools across Australia to show kids that science is cool and funny. I happen to agree.
So if you’re an Australian, or happen to be down there that week, do something sciencey. Vaporise (note the spelling) a kangaroo and try to measure the chemical energy content. Watch Richard Saunders skeptify "psychics" on The One. Flush a toilet and see if the water spins backwards. Watch me use a Mintie of science!
Or just go out and take a look at reality the way it is. You have lots of that in Australia too.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:17 am
I found this yesterday: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g7oph07uGUVJhxg1JYVL5ET8zdhw
“The Swedish government on Monday presented a series of proposals banning public and independent schools from introducing religious elements into their classes except during religion lessons.
Religious elements “can take place … but only outside of coursework. Teaching should not be influenced” by religious beliefs, Swedish Education Minister Jan Bjoerklund told reporters.
He said religion could still be studied at school as a separate subject but other classes could in no way be influenced by religious convictions.
For example, the origin of human life would have to be explained from a scientific point of view and not a religious one, he said.”
I feel proud to be Swedish.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Thanks for the heads up.
I might have to try and organise a trip over to Sydney and see if I can catch one of Michael Shermer’s talks. I’ve seen a few segments on TV and on the Internet of him speaking and he is always interesting to listen to
Of course the big shame is that I can’t afford a trip to Galapagos to be in on that trip. I really must save up one time to see if I can attend one of these TAM things I hear so much about
A big congrats also on the new role as President of JREF as well
I’ll hoist a nice cold one in your honour this weekend.
Oh, and a small heads up: you missed the u out of vapourise
August 5th, 2008 at 9:22 am
This is cool….wish I could go. Love all things science and Aussie.
On a side note, I have noticed that in the catagories for some of the posts, there is one called “piece of mind”. I was just wondering if this was intentional. Like I’m giving you a piece of my mind, or if it was a misspelling and was ment to be peace of mind, as in not to worry?
Love the blog, been hooked since reading your review of Armageddon. WOW has it been 10 years…..
August 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I’m just trying to find a mechanism to explain how weeks in the Southern Hemisphere last nine days!
I’m all for a well-publicized science week in the U.S., but here I think it should be called “Reality Week”. Imagine the skeptical nirvana that would ensue; rational political leaders using the week to launch the concept of “Reality-Based Initiatives!”; PSAs on TV to encouraging people to distinguish between the two types of thought: SKEPTIC and SEPTIC.
Whoops! I probably just offended half of our country.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Or better yet, DON’T vaporise (or vaporize) a kangaroo. Thank you.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Serenity, excellent news.
Meanwhile here in the UK, Cretinists now account for 40% of the population and rising, and the situation is getting worse
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1041089/Atheist-Richard-Dawkins-blames-Muslims-importing-creationism-classrooms.html
August 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
See, we do it right Down Under. We include weekends twice
August 5th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Ooh, I’m considering seeing him. (Unfortunately, he’s doing his talk thing at Powerhouse Museum, which is a bitch to get to!) I’m definitely spending all of the next day at the ABC Studios – they’re doing a massive science day thing. Science Week is great XD
Although I’m slightly miffed – the ad for it in New Scientist mentioned Daleks, and I can’t find a single mention of them on the site!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I think you should post a BQ&A during Science Week, and try to incorporate a Jar of Vegemite of Science, to represent some large cosmic body!
August 5th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
mmmm Kangaroo – tastes better done a little rare rather than vapourised
The final episode of The One aired here last night. It was disappointing that they had to choose someone to win – Richard Saunders was good for the reality based thinking he was able to lend to the show, though it would have been better to see a whole lot more of it.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I agree with Paul M, Kangaroo is much better rare than vapourised.
I live in Perth, which for those that don’t know is a long way from anywhere. Does anyone know if there is anything for science week happening over here, we tend to miss out on most things.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
A more interesting scientific endeavor might be to identify the biological content of a banger roll.
FWIW, Minties are the Australian equivalent of duct tape. can fix anything with a half chewed mintie!
August 5th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Vaporise / vaporize / vapourise / vapourize
Skeptic / sceptic / septic
Oh dear. Nurse, it’s starting again!
I’m having an attack of the “definitelys” – as in defenetly / definately / definatly / definetely / definiatly / definetelly / definetily / definitly / difinitley / deffinatly / deffinetly (all spotted within a single weekend of web surfing!)
And how’s this for referencing two urban myths in one post: water spinning down a plughole clockwise and the word “kangaroo” meaning “I don’t understand”.
What am I on about? No idea, ignore me. It’s past my bedtime and I’m a bit cranky. By the way, congrats on the promotion, Phil (just to show that I am paying attention).
August 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am
@NathanR, check out the science week link, I believe stuff is going on in Perth too
Dr Shermer is going to do a talk there DON’T MISS HIM! he is a great speaker.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:41 am
W00t! Come On Aussie, Come On!!!!!
I’ll celebrate the week I think by callin’ a few me mates around for a chin wag, might bung a snag or two on the barbie. Maybe some a meat pie with some dead horse and nice cold pig’s ear to washer down! After that we’ll inside and watch some aerial ping pong. Sounds like a far dinkum, true blue day!!!
I look forward to it, should be good.
But you didn’t mention good old Dr. Karl (Kruszelnicki) His he doing anything for Science Week?
Later Ron
August 6th, 2008 at 3:16 am
@Andy, Dang, I lived in Aussie for two years and I still remember about half of what you wrote. That is scary. Good on ya Australia for having a science week. Us other colonials should do the same.
August 6th, 2008 at 5:52 am
@ Phil
Who’s attacking science, here? They aren’t very smart. Any verbal attack will require technology brought about by science, to propagate.
It couldn’t be anybody with a cell phone, attacking science. That’s like biting the hand that feeds you.
Both my military background and reading Robert Heinlein taught me to always have a back-up unit and be ready to accomplish manually, respectively, to what I’m doing. I have yet to figure out how to post on the internet, manually. Sorry, Robert Heinlein.
The technologies provided by science have intertwined in the woof and warp of our society, here in the ‘States. Everywhere else, too. I find it ironic that Al Quedah uses cell phones, aircraft, internet, airconditioning and many other technologies of ours, while attacking us and calling us all the names that they do.
I know of some street people who deride any and every thing, except the street scene. So, I guess you could say they attack science. At least, they come near walking the talk. But, politicians in air conditioned offices and media whizzes using a whole battery of electronics would look awful silly, bashing science. Of course, those types sometimes talk out of the side of their mouths, anyway. Or, as an older and colloquial phrase has it, “….speak with forked tongue.”
Hmmm, I have gone on and on about this. I guess my wannabe writer complex isw breaking out.
Later
August 6th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Great to read about National Science Week in OZ. Cool that there’s so much geared towards kids too.
I grew up in Melbourne (even though I live in Canada now) and one thing I remember from growing up was the CSIRO:
http://www.csiro.au/
My point is, science was a part of everyday life. They were/are the authority on pretty much everything science related. I was used to hearing things from them through the media pretty much constantly.
Oh, and vegemite is so passe. My sister mailed me some “mighty-mite”. It is REALLY Aussie! (unlike vegemite which is owned by Kraft) Right up there with macadamia nuts and koalas.
(sigh). I’m getting homesick now…….
August 6th, 2008 at 6:45 am
One fantastic thing about Australia is the clear skies. I live 5 miles away from a town of 14,000 an have bright shining stars whenver the clouds roll back.
Engineers’ week is this week and Science Week is the 9 days Phil mentioned.
The more than 400 events are listed at the following site.
http://www.scienceweek.info.au/Pages/index.aspx
Something for everybody, but remember – my country is about 3000 kilometres across, so choose a city and stick to it.
As an engineer and scientist, I really enjoy introducing young folk to the real world – the one Phil inhabits. Take a look at nysf.edu.au to see one of the things that I enjoy.
August 7th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hope Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will be doing something. I used to always see him on TV during Science Week, and he’s a legend, a true science ambassador. He has done a lot to make science cooler to young Australians, including writing funny and accessible books about science and reinforcing proper scientific method in the minds of his young readers, and featuring on our national youth radio station Triple J every week doing scientific Q&A sessions.
He won the Ignobel Award a few years back for engaging hundreds of young Australians in a scientific study to see how body hair affects belly button lint. He’s so passionate and fun, and he truly loves science, plus he’s been getting political recently and drawing public attention to scientific issues, which is even better.
Dr Karl is a god. Love him.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I doubt too many people will get the toilet to swirl here in Oz. Regardless of what you might have seen on the Simpsons it doesn’t happen in our toilets—it sort just all rushes down in a chaotic mess.
I got very excited the first time I saw an American style flush. Hypnotising.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:32 am
The credibility of science in general has been permanently damaged by the AGW parrots mutually peer-reviewing each other’s BS.
By all the “science” promoting one foodstuff/supplement/activity one week and condemning it the next.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Thanks for the site link, [b]engineer[/b].
August 17th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
How on earth do we get bold text up here?
August 19th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Can anyone hear PROVE that anything has EVER evolved?