But the groundswell against genetically modified food has rankled many scientists, who argue that opponents of G.M.O.s have distorted the risks associated with them and underplayed the risks of failing to try to use the technology to improve how food is grown. Wading into a debate that has more typically pitted activists against industry, some … Continue reading A Lonely Quest for Facts on Genetically Modified Crops – NYTimes.com
Month: January 2014
Self-Driving Cars Moving into the Industry’s Driver’s Seat | IHS Online Pressroom
Self-driving cars (SDC) that include driver control are expected to hit highways around the globe before 2025 and self-driving “only” cars are anticipated around 2030, according to an emerging technologies study on Autonomous Cars from IHS Automotive, driven by Polk. In the study, “Emerging Technologies: Autonomous Cars—Not If, But When,” IHS Automotive forecasts total worldwide … Continue reading Self-Driving Cars Moving into the Industry’s Driver’s Seat | IHS Online Pressroom
Is Consciousness Universal?: Scientific American
These century-old arguments bring me to the conceptual framework of the integrated information theory (IIT) of psychiatrist and neuroscientist Giulio Tononi of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It postulates that conscious experience is a fundamental aspect of reality and is identical to a particular type of information—integrated information. Consciousness depends on a physical substrate but is … Continue reading Is Consciousness Universal?: Scientific American
Why evangelicals and Catholic leaders are against contraception | Machines Like Us
Why do the leaders of some religious groups like the Catholics and now even evangelicals oppose contraception, to the extent of even objecting to health insurance policies covering it? After all, access to safe, reliable, and easy contraception has to be one of the most beneficial advances that society has made. And the fact that … Continue reading Why evangelicals and Catholic leaders are against contraception | Machines Like Us
Studies of a skin color gene across global populations reveal shared origins | Penn State University
All instances of a gene mutation that contributes to light skin color in Europeans came from the same chromosome of one person who most likely lived at least 10,000 years ago, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. via Studies of a skin color gene across global populations reveal shared origins | Penn State … Continue reading Studies of a skin color gene across global populations reveal shared origins | Penn State University
The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium
How the mis-application of the Anthropic Principle has led factions of scientists away from the search for a natural, physical explanation of our Universe, and why that’s bad for everyone. via The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium. Ethan Siegel, at his new home at Medium, takes … Continue reading The Most Abused Principle in all of Science — Starts With A Bang! — Medium
1932 Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States
This is very cool! If you like history, this gives an idea of the shifting regional cultural divides throughout US history. It shows how some parts of the country voted in certain presidential elections, and regional support or opposition to many key congressional acts.
Bill Nye Wants To Wage War on Anti-Science Politics, Make a Movie—And Save the Planet From Asteroids | Mother Jones
But of his new endeavors, he's likely best known for his politically tinged, no-bullshit talk about science education in America. Over the past few years, he's gained wide attention on social media, the lecture circuit, and television (he's appeared on CNN's Piers Morgan Live and HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, among others) for countering … Continue reading Bill Nye Wants To Wage War on Anti-Science Politics, Make a Movie—And Save the Planet From Asteroids | Mother Jones
@SarcasticRover: This Is Why Mars Can’t Have Nice Things
The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence – Adam Grant – The Atlantic
Emotional intelligence is important, but the unbridled enthusiasm has obscured a dark side. New evidence shows that when people hone their emotional skills, they become better at manipulating others. When you’re good at controlling your own emotions, you can disguise your true feelings. When you know what others are feeling, you can tug at their … Continue reading The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence – Adam Grant – The Atlantic
SelfAwarePatterns 