I got very excited the first time I saw an American style flush. Hypnotising.

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.

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.

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…….

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

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

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).

FWIW, Minties are the Australian equivalent of duct tape. can fix anything with a half chewed mintie!

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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…..

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

“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.