Greetings Science Appreciators, Critical Thinkers and Science and Reason based Skeptics,
The challenge of understanding the meaning, intent, and consequences of what we face these days is immense. I think we need to be able to have confidence in the validity of what you personally believe to make informed decisions that may have major consequences to each of us as well as to the community as a whole. So how do you know what to accept or believe?
Consider any or all of these recent examples… One of those always hot topics is climate change. Here are a few items you may not have seen recently. Panama’s Gardi Sugdub has started it’s evacuation because of the impact of sea level rise. CO2 levels are continuing to set records, 0.80% increase in the last year. One consequence of global warming is giving society a few extra years to prepare for a potential Y2K-style glitch, There are many other challenges that might be considered real and present threats.
Science has been misrepresented in law enforcement for years. Voice stress analysis is a flawed and unreliable technology that is currently in use and being marketed to law enforcement agencies. How about “forensic DNA phenotyping”? This is also in use and being marketed!
It seems that AI is something we will never escape and it threatens so many creative people with stealing there intellectual property as well as identity and wealth. Cara, the AI-Skeptical Artist Portfolio App starts this way… “I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so that I can do art and writing, not for AI to do my art and writing so that I can do my laundry and dishes,”
I don’t want to go very far into politics but the upcoming elections have the potential to do serious damage to the public understanding of science, and the public too! There are tools we can use to sort things out that we might not think we can understand. Here are a few suggestions… 11 Rules for Critical Thinking and Daniel Dennett: Tools for Critical Thinking
There are two great opportunities next month to really dive in to some great skeptical thinking and resources. Starting on June 19 and going, literally, for 24 hours is Global Skeptics in the Pub! It will begin at 7pm local time in New Zealand on Friday, July 19, will go around the world, and end at 9pm local time in Hawai’i (24 hours later on the same calendar day) There will be people from all around the world. (If you have any doubts let me put them to rest… The earth is round!) Also, if you have friends, colleagues, and/or family around the world this is a good opportunity for them to get involved in some interesting discussions. It is being hosted by Oregonians for Science and Reason in conjunction with SkeptiCal 2024 which will run from July 19-21
Now that summer is almost here (technically) there are some different opportunities to celebrate and learn about how the universe works. Here are a few that I like and recommend…
-The Science of Healthy Muscle, Strength, and Aging Tue @ 7:00 is a bit north but I know I need more info on the subject!
-Are Americans Really Anti-Science? Livestream Thu
-Foothills Family Nature Walk Sat @ 11:00
There are many local museums and other organizations that work hard to keep their programming and exhibits fresh and interesting. I hope that you don’t just go once in awhile or not at all. A better action is to take out membership and keep going back to see and learn cool new stuff. I hope you will send me some suggestions to include next week. Check out…
Kinetic Creations at CuriOdyssey in San Mateo. CuriOdyssey, (like the Bay Model Visitor Center) is a local treasure that really deserves a visit from you and your family and friends from anywhere. Kinetic Creations is a blast and and there’s a zoo there as well!
ExtraOrdinary! at the explOratorium is a must see if you get anywhere near The City. The advertising is all over but the art pieces are amazing. Remember that they are open Thursday evenings for adults only.
There are so many things to read and catch up on! If you’re looking for some more or something different here are a few suggestions
From Mesopotamia and ancient Greece to precolonial India and medieval London, gender has always been more than a binary.
Alzheimer’s Type Identified That Involves Gene Variant Carried by 2% of Population
I ran a marathon in full PPE not to long ago most people didn’t know what PPE is!
Siberia's Spectacular 'Garbage' Beach
There’s so much more going on! Please keep curious and get out and share life with others.
herb masters
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
Isaac Asimov “Cult of Ignorance” 1980
Upcoming Events:
Click to see the next two weeks of events in your browser.
Monday, 06/10/2024
Morning Hike at Bear Creek Redwoods - 06/10/2024 09:30 AM
Bear Creek Redwoods Los Gatos
Join us for this beautiful hike! A POST volunteer will share a few words about POST’s decades of conservation success before the hiking group explores a moderately strenuous but mostly shaded 5.4 mile hike with ~900 feet of elevation gain.
In one of the county’s best preserved, second-growth coastal redwood forests, weâll also pass extensive areas of Douglas fir and oak woodland, as well as a few remaining old-growth redwoods. The proximity to the San Andreas fault results in a unique geology and landscape, while there are many remnants of a rich cultural history of the region. The park is also home to a wide variety of mammals, birds and reptiles, some of which might be spotted along the trails.
Register at weblink to receive meet-up locations and details.
June LASER Event - 06/10/2024 07:00 PM
Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge Stanford
Program (the order of the speakers might change):
Shane Denson(Stanford/ Film and Media) on "How is Human Embodiment Transformed in an Age of Algorithms?"Virginia San Fratello(San Jose State Univ) on "3D Printing the Future"Fiorenza Micheli(co-director of Stanfordâs Center for Ocean Solutions) on "Harnessing the data revolution for ocean and human health"Tom Mullaney(Stanford/ History) on "The Audacity of Chinese Computing"
Tuesday, 06/11/2024
Two talks: Blockchain Innovations: AI Integration and Security Trust - Livestream - 06/11/2024 04:00 PM
IEEE Consumer Technology
Blockchain and AI for Industrial Applications
The fusion of Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) heralds a new era of industrial innovation with opportunities for transparency, efficiency, and autonomy. Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that can be significantly augmented using conventional and generative AI capabilities This lecture will delve into the synergistic potential of Blockchain and AI, aiming to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to leverage these technologies, their individual capabilities, and how their integration can create robust solutions for industrial challenges.
Speaker: Daswin De Silva, La Trobe University, Australia
Facilitating Security and Trust among Multiple Parties through Blockchain Techniques
With the increasing computation and communication capabilities at the edge of the network, how to enable trustworthy interactions among multiple parties in decentralized systems becomes an essential issue. Blockchain has been widely adopted as an approach to facilitate decentralized trustworthy computing with non-repudiated information records.
Speaker: Yuhong Liu, Santa Clara University
Register at weblink
Wonderfest: The Science of Healthy Muscle, Strength, and Aging - 06/11/2024 07:00 PM
Hopmonk Tavern Novato
What can we do, today, to improve muscle strength and, accordingly, to increase healthy longevity, i.e., healthspan? It starts by understanding the science of strength and of muscle function, and then appreciating how muscle changes with aging. Ultimately, we find that healthspan increases with simple and effective evidence-based strategies for improving muscle health and function.
Speaker: Greg Tranah, UC San Francisco and Sutter Health
Wednesday, 06/12/2024
Addressing Asian American and Critical Race Issues - Livestream - 06/12/2024 11:00 AM
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
This presentation will focus on the past and present issues facing Asian American people in the US, as well as how these issues intersect with Critical Race Theory or CRT (what CRT is and isnât and why there is a moral panic over CRT when itâs really a specialized field of academic inquiry). Starting with an overview of who Asian Americans are, Professor Ho will take an autobiographical turn by talking about how her family came to the US and why she identifies with being Asian American and how her work in Critical Race Theory is deeply intertwined with her work as an Asian American Studies scholar. Professor Ho will happily answer questions after the presentation on any aspects of Asian American history and culture, critical race theory, intersectional oppression, and how we can have (and should have) more productive conversations about race and racism in this present moment.
Register at weblink to receive connection information
Advancing Global Science Equity Through Multi-Sectoral Partnerships - Livestream - 06/12/2024 03:00 PM
Bodega Marine Laboratory
Speaker: Kaitlyn Lowder, The Ocean Foundation
Register at weblink to receive connection information
Open House at San Jose AI Simplifiers - Livestream - 06/12/2024 06:00 PM
San Jose AI Simplifiers
Do you enjoy expressing ideas simply? No jargon, just clear and effective language. Even a six-year-old will be eager to listen!
Join us at the San Jose AI Simplifiers Club's Open House on June 12th, 2024, from 6:00-7:00 PM PT. Dive into the fascinating world of AI, but simplified. Donât miss out!
We have two accomplished speakers talking about generative ai.Vida Patil: Founder of Pitch Cafe, talking about Generative AI strategies for brand monetization.Priya Shastri: Gen AI Evangelist, talking about Prompt Engineering.
Register at weblink to attend
A Primer on the Major Topics in AI Law and Policy - 06/12/2024 06:30 PM
Hacker Dojo Mountain View
The laws and policy regimes that govern how we create, train, test, and license artificial intelligence technology are changing. And these change are worldwide, varying depending on the jurisdiction and branch of government. Technologists, startups, and entrepreneurs do not need to become experts on these law and policy changes to develop and deploy AI tools. But basic foundational knowledge on these topics can make sure that your business and engineering decisions are made consistent with the law and consistent with the way governments and judges are currently thinking about the issues. Jacob Canter is a technology lawyer at the firm Crowell & Moring LLP that focuses on AI, IP, privacy, and cybersecurity. His presentation will focus on major topics in AI law and policy, and will leave you with the basic foundational knowledge that you need to succeed.
Speaker: Jacob Canter, Crowell & Moring LLP
Attend in person or online. See weblink for connection information
Thursday, 06/13/2024
Superfoods, Silkworms, and Spandex - Livestream - 06/13/2024 04:00 PM
Skeptical Inquirer
Is superfood a scientific term ⦠or a marketing one? Do supplements that claim to reduce inflammation actually reduce anything (other than your bank account)? What’s the deal with âred light therapy? Everyday life is full of interesting science - and pseudoscience - from maraschino cherries and frizzy hair to duct tape, pickle juice, and dental implants.
On the next Skeptical Inquirer Presents event, bestselling author Dr. Joe Schwarcz returns to discuss his latest book, Superfoods, Silkworms, and Spandex: Science and Pseudoscience in Everyday Life. Schwarcz has spent his career separating sense from nonsense; now, his new collection of bite-size pop science essays takes on several burning questions about the science of everyday life.
Register at weblink to receive connection information
NightLife x Make History - 06/13/2024 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco
Join us as we honor Black contributions to global dance with a special Juneteenth edition of the Make History dance battle. This commemorative competition marks the first Juneteenth jam in celebration of Black arts and liberation in the Bay Area. Plus, the party continues with a marketplace curated by In the Black featuring local Black-owned businesses and an interactive dance pop-up presented by Hip Hop Congress.
After Dark: ExtraOrdinary Opening - 06/13/2024 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
This summer’s most imaginative and playful exhibition opens After Dark! Be among the first to experience ExtraOrdinary! and the stunning artworks made from everyday objects. Don't forget to bring out your inner artist-scientist with our hands-on programs: tinker with cardboard and add to a collective creation, join a crochet jam, and groove to a DJ set headlined by legendary local scratch artist DJ QBert. Come see the ordinary transformed - maybe you will be too!
Marin's Declining Shorebirds - Livestream - 06/13/2024 07:00 PM
Marin Audubon Socitey
Nils will talk about the status and trends of our North America shorebirds, with a focus on Pacific Flyway birds, particularly those that occur in Marin County. He will first discuss how shorebirds around the world and in the USA are doing and then talk about the results of a 30+ year winter shorebird monitoring program that Audubon Canyon Ranch has been conducting at Tomales Bay since 1989. Overall, numbers of wintering shorebirds on Tomales Bay have declined by over 65% over the past decades with Dunlin and Western Sandpipers among the biggest losers. Of the 14 taxa that ACR analyzed, 3 increased over the past 30 years, 1 stayed stable, and 11 species declined. Nils will discuss potential reasons why our shorebird populations have declined and what we might do about it.
Speaker: Nils Warnock, Audubon Canyon Ranch
Register at website to receive link to the event.
Are Americans Really Anti-Science? - Livestream - 06/13/2024 07:00 PM
Bay Area Skeptics
Lately, there has been much discussion in the media and even in academic journals about the supposed rise of anti-science in the United States. Examples tend focus on climate change, evolution, and vaccination. But what about science in general? Are Americans truly anti-science in the sense of rejecting all of science? Research shows that in the decades since the end of the Second World War, American adults actually have held strong positive attitudes about the benefits of science and technology and fewer concerns or reservations about science and technology broadly. I will discuss the reasons for this general approval of science. Looking to the future, I will discuss the challenges in the 21st century to maintaining strong positive attitudes toward science and increasing the level of civic scientific literacy in the U.S. and similar industrial countries.
Speaker: Jon Miller, University of Michigan
Friday, 06/14/2024
A Cosmic shadow theater: How galaxy silhouettes reveal their dark side - SOLD OUT - 06/14/2024 08:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
Speaker: Emmanuel Schaan is a Staff Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. As a cosmologist, he studies the origin and evolution of the Universe, by analyzing data from large telescopes in the US, Chile and space. His work focuses on the cosmic microwave background, the earliest light visible after the Big Bang, and on the large-scale distribution of galaxies. Emmanuel grew up in Paris, France before moving to Princeton, NJ, Berkeley, CA and finally to Redwood City, CA. He loves astrophotography, tinkering, electronics and DIY projects.
Tickets go on sale April 17 at Noon.
Saturday, 06/15/2024
Foothills Family Nature Walk - 06/15/2024 11:00 AM
Foothills Nature Preserve Los Altos
Join us at Foothills Nature Preserve for a family-friendly nature walk, guided by EV docents. Participation is free, but space is limited. Register at weblink
Environmental Volunteers Family Nature Walks program is designed to help students and their families get to know our local open space areas. Small family groups will be guided by a knowledgeable environmental educator during an exploration of a local open space. These small groups will be introduced to fun nature-based activities, and a chance to learn more about the plants and animals all around us. Join us for some fun, outdoor learning!
Each group will have a maximum limit of 12 participants.
Families/groups are welcome to sign up for as many as they like. The nature walks are intended for children aged 6 to 11, and we ask that each group is accompanied by an adult.
ExtraOrdinary! Festival - 06/15/2024 11:00 AM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Come enjoy the summer’s most imaginative and playful exhibition! Be among the first to experience ExtraOrdinary! and the stunning artworks made from everyday objects. Don't forget to bring out your inner artist-scientist with our fun programs for all ages: tinker with cardboard and add to a collective creation, join a crochet jam, get hands on at Storytime Science, and more. See the ordinary transformed - maybe you will be too!
See weblink for schedule of events
A Journey Through the Universe of Galaxies, Black Holes, Gravitational Waves, and Schrödingerâs Cats - SOLD OUT - 06/15/2024 08:30 PM
Lick Observatory Mt. Hamilton
Raja GuhaThakurta is a Distinguished Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz. He studies the formation and evolution of galaxies large and small, with a focus on the assembly of their dark matter, dynamics of their resolved stellar population, merger history, chemical enrichment, and star formation history.
Speaker: Raja GuhaThakurta, UC Santa Cruz
City Public Star Party - 06/15/2024 08:30 PM
City Star Parties - Tunnel Tops Park San Francisco
Come join the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers for free public stargazing of the Moon, planets, globular clusters and more!
The event will take place in Tunnel Tops National Park, parking is located adjacent to Picnic Place (210 Lincoln Blvd for GPS) with the telescopes setup in the East Meadow.
Dress warmly as conditions can be windy or cold in the Presidio. Rain, heavy fog or overcast skies cancel the event. Check the SFAA website for a cancellation notice before leaving for the star party.
SFAA members with telescopes are encouraged to attend and share their views of the stars with the general public.
Sunday, 06/16/2024
ExtraOrdinary! Festival - 06/16/2024 11:00 AM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Come enjoy the summerâs most imaginative and playful exhibition! Be among the first to experience ExtraOrdinary! and the stunning artworks made from everyday objects. Don't forget to bring out your inner artist-scientist with our fun programs for all ages: tinker with cardboard and add to a collective creation, join a crochet jam, get hands on at Storytime Science, and more. See the ordinary transformed - maybe you will be too!
See weblink for schedule of events
Tuesday, 06/18/2024
'Invisible Rulers' Book Talk - 06/18/2024 06:00 PM
Manny's San Francisco
The Chinese Computer - 06/18/2024 07:00 PM
Computer History Museum Mountain View
Wednesday, 06/19/2024
Cold-water coral distribution across oxygen minimum zones in the Galapagos Islands and La Isla del Coco - Livestream - 06/19/2024 11:00 AM
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
A Cosmic shadow theater: How galaxy silhouettes reveal their dark side - 06/19/2024 07:00 PM
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers San Francisco
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society Speaker Series: Jessica Burton - Livestream - 06/19/2024 07:00 PM
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
Nerd Nite SF#143: Felines, Freedom, and Fairies - 06/19/2024 07:00 PM
Rickshaw Stop San Francisco
Thursday, 06/20/2024
Snapshot Cal Coast - Point Molate Intertidal Bioblitz - 06/20/2024 10:00 AM
Point Molate Beach Park Richmond
NightLife: Inked - 06/20/2024 06:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences San Francisco
After Dark: Summer Solstice - 06/20/2024 06:00 PM
ExplOratorium San Francisco
Serendipity and Salt Ponds - Livestream - 06/20/2024 07:00 PM
Golden Gate Bird Alliance
Friday, 06/21/2024
The wonders of a 400 MHz HTS magnet NMR system, how it works and our results at Amgen - Livestream - 06/21/2024 10:00 AM
California Section American Chemical Society
Saturday, 06/22/2024
NASA Fest at Chabot - 06/22/2024 10:00 AM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland
Art Reception - Nature Paintings of Neha Kabade - 06/22/2024 01:30 PM
Environmental Volunteers EcoCenter Palo Alto
Bair Island Walking Tour - 06/22/2024 02:30 PM
Bair Island Wildlife Refuge & Trail Redwood City
Planet Italy: Adventures in Teaching and Learning - 06/22/2024 07:30 PM
East Bay Astronomical Society Oakland
Sunday, 06/23/2024
NASA Fest at Chabot - 06/23/2024 10:00 AM
Chabot Space and Science Center Oakland
The Rhythms of Summer: From the Solstice to Steel Drums - 06/23/2024 11:00 AM
Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley
Monday, 06/24/2024
From Cancer to UAP - A Common Investigatory Framework to Study the Knowable - 06/24/2024 05:30 PM
Commonwealth Club San Francisco