Science
We can prevent asteroid impacts — the last great hurdle is working together
In early October, a small asteroid, about the size of a VW bug, impacted Earth coming in over Sudan. It was very special. This sort of event happens every several months on average, so just why was this one...
POSTED Wednesday, November 26, 2008
POSTED Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The next presidency will test the scientific community, too
The election is upon us, and we all look forward to it being over. Both presidential candidates have stated their positions with regard to science, e.g., in response to Science Debate 2008, not always with equal clarity. Many thoughtful...
POSTED Monday, November 3, 2008
POSTED Monday, November 3, 2008
Back to (flight) school!
I started a blog a couple of years ago in honor of “Flight School,” the name of my annual conference for entrepreneurs in air and space. Last June, we canceled this year’s event; we were getting a foretaste of...
POSTED Monday, October 13, 2008
POSTED Monday, October 13, 2008
Where will the average stand in a world filled with genetically enhanced beauty and ability?
In Grover Beach, California, nineteen-year-old Cameron Clapp trains for his next track meet — on battery-powered, robotic metal legs. Meanwhile, in Framingham, Mass. a pharmaceutical company is splicing human genes into cow and goat embryos, enabling the animals to...
POSTED Monday, September 8, 2008
POSTED Monday, September 8, 2008
We Cannot Let Science and Innovation Fall by The Wayside
Science has always mattered to those of us old enough to realize how much society has achieved in a relatively short amount of time. The question becomes: are we creating a culture to ensure that the hearts and minds...
POSTED Monday, August 4, 2008
POSTED Monday, August 4, 2008
The danger (and value) of a politicized scientific community
In this year’s Presidential campaign, we have seen little debate between candidates about science, even with an unprecedented movement to encourage them to debate. The science community is not of one mind about the wisdom of such a debate...
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008
The most important generation in history is the one now alive
When trying to save the world, it helps to put things into a larger perspective by thinking about civilizations that may have already confronted these problems. In particular, astrophysicists, when we try to find evidence for life in outer...
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008
Future possibilities for space exploration — thoughts on exploring beyond Earth
After the brilliant landing of the Phoenix on Mars, how can we not open this series of discussion postings other than with thoughts about exploring the Red Planet?! First, some thoughts on exploration itself… Exploration is expanding human experience,...
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008
POSTED Monday, July 28, 2008