Are there evolutionary patterns related to the evolution of size? If so, how do we make sense of these patterns? And what are the largest living systems that have ever existed?
"Earth-like"
Recently discovered exoplanet Kepler-62e is the most "Earth-like" planet ever discovered. However, this discovery also forces us to reconsider what we mean by "Earth-like" and how we should think about exoplanets in the future.
We Are Not Aquatic Apes
The aquatic ape hypothesis is still supported by groups of anti-intellectuals. Professional anthropologists consider it pseudoscience because there is no evidence to support it. We are not, and never have been, aquatic apes.
Read MoreUnderselling Science
I am an atheist, and I care about the way non-religious belief is communicated by atheists to the public. Over the years, I have become increasingly disappointed with the way atheists explain our origins to the public. In the future, I hope that we stop underselling how much science knows about “how we got here.”
Read MoreTop Science Discoveries of 2012
This is my personal top 25 discoveries and stories from the world of science this year. I think there were a lot of interesting discoveries that I had to leave off the list. Its purpose is to thought-provoking, inspire a broad interest in science, and give people a snapshot of what the world’s best researchers are discovering about our Universe!
Read MoreScience Meets YouTube
Over the last few weeks I have been interested in how new media is changing education. YouTube has become an exciting avenue for a new generation of science educators to build a global audience. In the future, we should be lucky enough to see more and more interesting and exciting educational channels. This post is a list of my favourite at the moment.
Read MoreShoulders of Giants
Everyone is influenced by the accomplishments, thoughts and beliefs of the generations that preceded them. As Sir Isaac Newton stated “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”. The following is a list of the top 10 modern scientists who have influenced my perceptions, ideas and thoughts regarding the universe and our species place within it.
Read MoreRecent Discovery of an Earth-sized Exoplanet in Context
An Earth-sized planet was recently discovered in a star system 4.3 light years away from Earth. Despite being Earth-sized, it is far too close to its host star to be able to support life. However, this planet represents yet another continuation of an impressive trend in astronomy of finding increasingly more Earth-iike planets. If the pace of exoplanet discovery continues at the current rate and if planet finding technology continues to improve, will we find a 'second Earth' within the next 5 or 10 years?
Read MoreWelcome to the Strange World of Ken Ham
Ken Ham is a Young-Earth Creationist (YEC) and president of the Creation Museum. On August 29th he released a response video to Bill Nye's viral Big Think video re: the dangers of teaching creationism to children. Within his response we get a chance to dissect what it is YEC think about science, scientists and education.
Read MoreEvolutionary Thought Pre-Darwin pt. 2
Evolutionary thought was in vogue among naturalists in the centuries leading up to the co-discovery of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Several different European philosophers and scientists embraced the notion that life must have changed over time. It was in this intellectual environment that Darwin and Wallace made their breakthrough discovery.
Read MoreWhy New Religions?
Despite the recent global decline in traditional religious belief, new religious movements (NRMs) have grown significantly over the past 50 years. Why have they become such a dominant cultural force in the western world? And what can be done to reduce their continued growth?
Read MoreThe God Hypothesis
God is essentially a hypothesis. Throughout human history all populations assumed that the hypothesis was true (i.e., God exists). However, during the scientific revolution and enlightenment, humans were able to test The God Hypothesis for the first time. And it crumbled.
Read MoreCan There Be Another Jane Goodall?
Charles Darwin, Louis Leakey and Jane Goodall are all evolutionary pioneers and intellectual pillars of contemporary evolutionary thought. However, their discoveries and contributions to the various evolutionary fields were uniquely historically contingent. Is it possible for any modern day evolutionary academics to make comparable breakthroughs?
Read MorePresidential Candidates on Science
The 2012 American presidential candidates frequently discuss economic and social issues. However, they are very rarely made to discuss the most important scientific issues of the day, despite the fact that our future as a species depends on scientific literacy and competence. In a recent science debate the two candidates discussed their thoughts on major issues like climate change, space flight and internet control.
Read MoreA Good or Bad Exchange?
The world changed in profound ways after 1492. The Columbian Exchange resulted in the transfer of divergent and previously isolated flora and fauna becoming transported to new landscapes. This forever changed natural history and human history. However, did the Columbian exchange reap irreparable damage on the biosphere as a whole? Was it a good or bad exchange?
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