Tag Archives: science

Conversations with Carl Sagan

Posted on February 4, 2025 by smellincoffee

When I began trying to build my own worldview back in 2006, Carl Sagan’s books were instrumental in giving me a scientific orientation — and a scientific education. By the time he first appeared on the blog (November 2007), I … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Light Eaters

Posted on January 31, 2025 by smellincoffee

Since at least the time of Aristotle, the western mind has regarded plants as passive background scenery; useful to eat, nice for decor, but not all that interesting. Think of how we use the word ‘vegetable’ to refer to someone … Continue reading →

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Nerve

Posted on January 27, 2025 by smellincoffee

Nerve is an odd little title, a memoir of a woman trying to overcome some specific fears — falling from heights, and driving — occasionally interspersed dips into psychology and neurology. Eva Holland’s fear of heights is enough that she … Continue reading →

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Primate Made

Posted on January 10, 2025 by smellincoffee

Longtime readers to this blog know that the mismatch between human biology and the world we have made for ourselves is a pet topic of mine,  given its implications for human flourishing.  Primate Made focuses on modernity’s effects on the … Continue reading →

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Science Survey ’24….finally….

Posted on December 30, 2024 by smellincoffee

As readers may know, every year since 2017 I have challenged myself to read across a spectrum of science topics to maintain a broad, general knowledge. Last year, I finished the survey early, in May, but this year science was … Continue reading →

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Oceans and fishes and magic needles

Posted on December 6, 2024 by smellincoffee

Within the last few weeks I’ve read a couple of science titles, one of which was a big ol’ book that deserves a proper review, but given that my mental energies are entirely focused on my last project for this … Continue reading →

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What If? 2

Posted on November 19, 2024 by smellincoffee

A few years back I read a silly science book called What If? in which the author of the webcomic XKCD (known for its math and science humor), tackled preposterous questions with scientific seriousness. On seeing the sequel available via … Continue reading →

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Rise and Reign of the Mammals

Posted on November 15, 2024 by smellincoffee

Mammals, we learn in elementary school, are warm-blooded critters who give birth to live young, produce milk, and are noted for their hair. Only….as we get older, we learn about marsupials and platypuses and whales and realize the story of … Continue reading →

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DNA is Not Destiny

Posted on September 9, 2024 by smellincoffee

When I first learned about DNA, I formed a very elementary notion of it being a bit like lego blocks: this bit was the blonde hair, that gene was green eyes, that sort of thing. Later on, as I began … Continue reading →

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Sassy galaxies & road-tripping the solar backwoods

Posted on May 24, 2024 by smellincoffee

This week has seen a little action on the Science Survey, as I read titles for the Local Astronomy and Cosmology & Astrophysics sections. First up, The Big Backyard is a short look at the outer reaches of our own … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Reviews, science | Tagged , , | 4 Comments