Comments on: Who’s Out There? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/ Where science collides with life, slams into culture, crashes with politics, and gets totaled. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:28:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Benjamin Nelson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-63611 Benjamin Nelson Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:15:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-63611 I came from Butterflies and Wheels about a year ago and I read sporadically. I'm a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of Waterloo. I'm interested in scientific literacy and its relationship with real science, argumentation, and rhetoric. I've noticed that the blog is for the most-part run as a one-way medium, i.e., as if it were television. I think the blog could be vastly improved if the approach weren't insular in that way. While it's obvious that you want people to feel at home in some sense, I have never felt as though either of you value the spirit of free and vigorous debate. The model of a community here seems to be less sympathetic to the healthy exchange of ideas, and more interested in walking on eggshells and political correctness. It makes me feel intellectually alienated, and accounts for why I don't return very often. I came from Butterflies and Wheels about a year ago and I read sporadically. I’m a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of Waterloo. I’m interested in scientific literacy and its relationship with real science, argumentation, and rhetoric.

I’ve noticed that the blog is for the most-part run as a one-way medium, i.e., as if it were television. I think the blog could be vastly improved if the approach weren’t insular in that way. While it’s obvious that you want people to feel at home in some sense, I have never felt as though either of you value the spirit of free and vigorous debate. The model of a community here seems to be less sympathetic to the healthy exchange of ideas, and more interested in walking on eggshells and political correctness. It makes me feel intellectually alienated, and accounts for why I don’t return very often.

]]> By: Janine Lazur http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-63020 Janine Lazur Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:00:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-63020 Chris, re: a few things re: commenting/not commenting In general, I'm not a big commenter. Though as I use Facebook more and more, I definitely do enjoy it when people comment on my posts. As a result, I'm coming out of my commenting shell in general and being more generous with doling out the "like"s and comments. I've realized it's a nice nod to the people who made the post — letting them know they reached someone instead of reading their post and silently moving on to something else. And with Facebook, it's people that I know, so it's a bit more natural to leave a trace there. For blogs like yours, using Google Reader, it's a few steps less easy to comment and it's also less natural because I tend to forget there are actual people behind RSS feeds as I scroll through and just pause for what catches my eye . Less easy: the Google Reader interface doesn't have a comment button, so I have to click through to your blog and then comment. Less natural: under the umbrella of Discover blogs, you seem like a big corporation, so it's far less personal. And I confess that in Reader, all the Discover blogs blur together (so you weren't not so much The Intersection in my mind, you were just Discover.) But with this post, I didn't hesitate to comment. Probably because the point was for your readers to reveal themselves. And you structured it in a way that a quick reply was all you wanted. Not much thinking and time required. After the comment where I introduced myself, I also poked around and read the blurbs you and Sheril have on blog about yourself, so you're no longer part of the big Discover conglomerate in my mind. As a result of all this, chances are that I'll be more likely to comment/interact in the future. So thanks for a good post and maybe you'll see me again in the comment section. Chris, re: a few things re: commenting/not commenting
In general, I’m not a big commenter. Though as I use Facebook more and more, I definitely do enjoy it when people comment on my posts. As a result, I’m coming out of my commenting shell in general and being more generous with doling out the “like”s and comments. I’ve realized it’s a nice nod to the people who made the post — letting them know they reached someone instead of reading their post and silently moving on to something else. And with Facebook, it’s people that I know, so it’s a bit more natural to leave a trace there.
For blogs like yours, using Google Reader, it’s a few steps less easy to comment and it’s also less natural because I tend to forget there are actual people behind RSS feeds as I scroll through and just pause for what catches my eye . Less easy: the Google Reader interface doesn’t have a comment button, so I have to click through to your blog and then comment. Less natural: under the umbrella of Discover blogs, you seem like a big corporation, so it’s far less personal. And I confess that in Reader, all the Discover blogs blur together (so you weren’t not so much The Intersection in my mind, you were just Discover.)
But with this post, I didn’t hesitate to comment. Probably because the point was for your readers to reveal themselves. And you structured it in a way that a quick reply was all you wanted. Not much thinking and time required. After the comment where I introduced myself, I also poked around and read the blurbs you and Sheril have on blog about yourself, so you’re no longer part of the big Discover conglomerate in my mind. As a result of all this, chances are that I’ll be more likely to comment/interact in the future. So thanks for a good post and maybe you’ll see me again in the comment section.

]]> By: YourTechWorld » Yo Readers: Who Are You? And What Would You Name a Subatomic Particle? | Discoblog http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-63003 YourTechWorld » Yo Readers: Who Are You? And What Would You Name a Subatomic Particle? | Discoblog Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:06:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-63003 [...] Ed Yong on Note Exactly Rocket Science, Carl Zimmer on The Loom, Razib Khan on Gene Expression, Daniel Holz at Cosmic Variance, and Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum on The Intersection want to know who you are, what your background is and what you do… [...] [...] Ed Yong on Note Exactly Rocket Science, Carl Zimmer on The Loom, Razib Khan on Gene Expression, Daniel Holz at Cosmic Variance, and Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum on The Intersection want to know who you are, what your background is and what you do… [...]

]]> By: Mark Zastrow http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62996 Mark Zastrow Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:08:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62996 Hi there! I graduated with a BA in astrophysics last year, and took a year-long stint teaching English in Seoul. I'd always had a thing for how science impacts culture and vice versa, and had thought about science journalism as a career as an undergrad. After witnessing ClimateGate from abroad, I made up my mind to come back to the States to go into science communication; I'll be a first-year grad student in astronomy at Boston University in the fall, with intentions of doing a science journalism program in Boston afterwards. I have <a href="http://classbravo.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">my own blog</a>, which I use mainly for my photography, but also as an outlet for some science-oriented thoughts. I've been reading your blog for I guess over a year now, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that it's been an inspiration. I'm particularly interested in what Chris argues that working scientists can do better to connect with the public, find a lot of agreement with you guys on all sorts of aspects of the state of science in America, and hope to incorporate that into my experience as a grad student. Thanks guys! :) Hi there!
I graduated with a BA in astrophysics last year, and took a year-long stint teaching English in Seoul. I’d always had a thing for how science impacts culture and vice versa, and had thought about science journalism as a career as an undergrad. After witnessing ClimateGate from abroad, I made up my mind to come back to the States to go into science communication; I’ll be a first-year grad student in astronomy at Boston University in the fall, with intentions of doing a science journalism program in Boston afterwards. I have my own blog, which I use mainly for my photography, but also as an outlet for some science-oriented thoughts.

I’ve been reading your blog for I guess over a year now, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s been an inspiration. I’m particularly interested in what Chris argues that working scientists can do better to connect with the public, find a lot of agreement with you guys on all sorts of aspects of the state of science in America, and hope to incorporate that into my experience as a grad student. Thanks guys! :)

]]> By: ThomasL http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62993 ThomasL Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:18:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62993 I’m a philosophy graduate who, being slightly crazy in his undergrad years, somehow managed to triple his class hour requirements, adding minors in Political Science and Business Administration somewhere in the mix while also gaining management experience running a small local company. After graduating I went to work for a western states’ Superior Court in the Juvenile Probation department and survived five very interesting years. During the last year with the court a friend had started a computer networking support company and constantly pestered me to “stop chasing the heathens around” and “come to work”, as back then there were far fewer of us who knew such things then was needed as the computer revolution took hold in corporate America. So I did, becoming co-owner and leaving the court. During the first year I spent a few months simultaneously working for an internet provider (MindSpring) as a tech, learning the back end of what everyone connects into... I actually had to thank my father for all those hours he made me spend on the main frame when I was a little kid... A few years ago I pursued my Masters in education as I had always had a desire to teach. After once more leaving school behind I decided I’d rather stay in the computer world (though I did have a wonderful time student teaching for a semester, the system is really screwed up...). Having moved to another state in the North West during that time I have subsequently started up a new company (mostly just to stay busy). With my wife (an attorney) we own a 4,000 acre farm situated along the Columbia River Gorge where we are also currently in the process of implementing some 35 wind towers in a new wind farm development (driving much of my interest and knowledge of what is going on in alternative energy development). I have always been interested in science, and try to remain at least current in a civilian way. I came to the blog a year(ish) ago, and while often disagreeing with some here I also find most to be very interesting to converse with, agreement or not. And thankfully the tone is generally civil, a nice change from many I have viewed and occasionally read. I’m a philosophy graduate who, being slightly crazy in his undergrad years, somehow managed to triple his class hour requirements, adding minors in Political Science and Business Administration somewhere in the mix while also gaining management experience running a small local company. After graduating I went to work for a western states’ Superior Court in the Juvenile Probation department and survived five very interesting years. During the last year with the court a friend had started a computer networking support company and constantly pestered me to “stop chasing the heathens around” and “come to work”, as back then there were far fewer of us who knew such things then was needed as the computer revolution took hold in corporate America. So I did, becoming co-owner and leaving the court. During the first year I spent a few months simultaneously working for an internet provider (MindSpring) as a tech, learning the back end of what everyone connects into… I actually had to thank my father for all those hours he made me spend on the main frame when I was a little kid…

A few years ago I pursued my Masters in education as I had always had a desire to teach. After once more leaving school behind I decided I’d rather stay in the computer world (though I did have a wonderful time student teaching for a semester, the system is really screwed up…). Having moved to another state in the North West during that time I have subsequently started up a new company (mostly just to stay busy). With my wife (an attorney) we own a 4,000 acre farm situated along the Columbia River Gorge where we are also currently in the process of implementing some 35 wind towers in a new wind farm development (driving much of my interest and knowledge of what is going on in alternative energy development).

I have always been interested in science, and try to remain at least current in a civilian way. I came to the blog a year(ish) ago, and while often disagreeing with some here I also find most to be very interesting to converse with, agreement or not.

And thankfully the tone is generally civil, a nice change from many I have viewed and occasionally read.

]]> By: Sheril Kirshenbaum http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62920 Sheril Kirshenbaum Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:17:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62920 <blockquote>and feel like I’ve found a home here!</blockquote> We're happy you visit us too!

and feel like I’ve found a home here!

We’re happy you visit us too!

]]> By: Kiwi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62916 Kiwi Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:00:03 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62916 I'm a 40-something woman, living outside Detroit MI. I own a company that specializes in GPS and Internet Mapping apps, mostly for local government. I have always been very interested in all the sciences, especially natural/earth sciences like biology, evolution, meterology, geography, geology, astronomy (and very specifically, now it all works together to create the world we live in now!) Studied meteorology and geography in college. I found the Discover Mag blogs via a link to Bad Astronomy from BoingBoing.net and love all the blogs here! Am especially interested in scientific progress and skeptic discussions, and feel like I've found a home here! I’m a 40-something woman, living outside Detroit MI. I own a company that specializes in GPS and Internet Mapping apps, mostly for local government.

I have always been very interested in all the sciences, especially natural/earth sciences like biology, evolution, meterology, geography, geology, astronomy (and very specifically, now it all works together to create the world we live in now!) Studied meteorology and geography in college.

I found the Discover Mag blogs via a link to Bad Astronomy from BoingBoing.net and love all the blogs here! Am especially interested in scientific progress and skeptic discussions, and feel like I’ve found a home here!

]]> By: LBrrr http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62891 LBrrr Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:33:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62891 Hey! I'm a recent grad with a bachelor's in Biology. I'm trying to get into PA school. I've worked as a pharmacy tech since college. Despite all these healthcare interests, I still have a really strong interest in environmental science, entomology, evolution and so on. I also find that this blog is really easy to start a conversation about. When people ask me questions, this is one of the places that I will send them to get started. I started reading this blog right after the website switch. So that's been 2 years? I can't remember. It started because my boyfriend and I are both science people and I was trying to find new books for us to read and I found "The Republican War on Science." I love this blog for a few reasons. 1. The links. I feel like I am directed to so many things that I wouldn't normally seek out. 2. The comments. I also hate the comments but I feel like sometimes it's good when the crazies get on here. It's bad to live only in my liberal, science-buffered bubble. 3. I want to be Sheril's bff. Hey!

I’m a recent grad with a bachelor’s in Biology. I’m trying to get into PA school. I’ve worked as a pharmacy tech since college. Despite all these healthcare interests, I still have a really strong interest in environmental science, entomology, evolution and so on. I also find that this blog is really easy to start a conversation about. When people ask me questions, this is one of the places that I will send them to get started.

I started reading this blog right after the website switch. So that’s been 2 years? I can’t remember. It started because my boyfriend and I are both science people and I was trying to find new books for us to read and I found “The Republican War on Science.”

I love this blog for a few reasons.
1. The links. I feel like I am directed to so many things that I wouldn’t normally seek out.
2. The comments. I also hate the comments but I feel like sometimes it’s good when the crazies get on here. It’s bad to live only in my liberal, science-buffered bubble.
3. I want to be Sheril’s bff.

]]> By: William Furr http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62869 William Furr Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:24:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62869 I'm a Computer Science graduate student in Boston. I found the Intersection when Carl Zimmer suggested an article of yours on his Discovery blog, the Loom. I think culture change is going to be key in building a sustainable society, and the intersection between science, media, and culture is a very powerful nexus with the potential to motivate culture change. It's interesting to see science, which I respect greatly, be attacked by the left and right for various reasons. I also think that science as an American institution has a lot to do to make up for the ills of industrialization and its role in enabling technological change without regard to the consequences to our health, the environment, and our culture. I’m a Computer Science graduate student in Boston. I found the Intersection when Carl Zimmer suggested an article of yours on his Discovery blog, the Loom.

I think culture change is going to be key in building a sustainable society, and the intersection between science, media, and culture is a very powerful nexus with the potential to motivate culture change.

It’s interesting to see science, which I respect greatly, be attacked by the left and right for various reasons. I also think that science as an American institution has a lot to do to make up for the ills of industrialization and its role in enabling technological change without regard to the consequences to our health, the environment, and our culture.

]]> By: Sheril Kirshenbaum http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/07/05/whos-out-there/#comment-62866 Sheril Kirshenbaum Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:45:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/?p=10211#comment-62866 I’m so glad we did this because it's great to learn more about who’s in our audience! Most people who visit do not comment and I find it especially interesting that so many kids email me, but rarely seem to have a presence in the threads. Nice to e-meet so many of you and we’d love to hear from more readers! I’m so glad we did this because it’s great to learn more about who’s in our audience! Most people who visit do not comment and I find it especially interesting that so many kids email me, but rarely seem to have a presence in the threads.

Nice to e-meet so many of you and we’d love to hear from more readers!

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