Friday, January 22, 2010

1. DARWIN: HAVE THE PHILISTINES TAKEN OVER THE NATIONAL SCIENCE BOARD?

What's going on? The 2010 Science and Engineering Indicators came out last week and for the first time this invaluable biennial publication of the National Science Board contains nothing on evolution in the chapter on public acceptance of science. Without information on public attitudes toward evolution the rest of the report is suspect. That this should occur just as we are winding up the Darwin Year (he will be 101 on February 12) is doubly disappointing. It is also the week the remarkable film "Creation" reaches theaters.

2. "CLIMATE OF SUSPICION": AN IMPORTANT EDITORIAL IN YESTERDAY'S NATURE.

I hope this will be the last time I mention the pilfered e-mails from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia. The Nature editorial "Climate of suspicion" in the January 21 issue should be read by scientists in every field of research. The most important contribution of science to the world may be to demonstrate the power of openness in the advance of knowledge. We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated by a small band of deniers into discussing hugely-important issues in private. We must openly communicate with one another and learn how to bring the public along on the adventure.

3. MONTREAL PROTOCOL: CAN MANKIND INFLUENCE EARTH'S CLIMATE?

Of course we can; we have a clear proof-of-concept: the Montreal protocol, signed in 1987, restricts the release of chlorofluorocarbons, man-made compounds that destroy the naturally existing ozone layer of the atmosphere. Ozone acts as a shield, blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching Earth's surface. The ozone hole has diminished since the protocol was agreed to.

4. DANNY WHO? OK, SO THERE'S MORE THAN ONE EARTHQUACK.

What's New was late this week due to technical problems. We apologize. Several subscribers wanted to know why it came from Aaron McQueen. Aaron is one of the great guys at the Physics Computer Help desk. To avoid delay, he sent it from his box. People complained that when I mentioned Pat Robertson's wacky explanation of the earthquake I should also have mentioned Danny Glover who said it was caused by climate change. One suggested it demonstrated my bias on global warming. For the record, IĠd never heard of Danny Glover. I don't think he has a big following in cosmology.

5. KEEPING SCORE: I'M A CHARACTER IN A NEW NOVEL.

"The God Patent" by Ransom Stephens, state's I don't read novels. Well, not anymore; 70 years ago I hid them in my textbook and read them surreptitiously in class. But then I discovered physics -- I was into "truth." But after all this time I recently learned I was in a novel and read it out of curiosity. An aging physics professor at the University of Maryland, bobpark in the novel is a curmudgeon who writes a weekly column on science and society. That sounds like me all right, but then comes the fiction: he rouses the whole physics community into action. I wish. Beyond that it's a sweet, sad story about people who seem very real, with a struggle between science and creationism in the background. Surely Emmy and Ryan will find each other again in a sequel. I read that too. Meanwhile I find I'm in 2008 Randy White novel, the Black Widow.

Bob Park can be reached via email at whatsnew@bobpark.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Opinions are the author's and are not necessarily shared by the University, but they should be.