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David Dobbs on science, nature, and culture.
I write on science, medicine, nature, culture and other matters for the New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Slate, National Geographic, Scientific American Mind, and other publications. (Find clips here.) Right now I'm writing my fourth book, The Orchid and the Dandelion, which explores the hypothesis that the genetic roots some of our worst problems and traits — depresison, hyperaggression, violence, antisocial behavior — can also give rise to resilience, cooperation, empathy, and contentment. The book expands on my December 2009 Atlantic article exploring these ideas.
I've also written three books, including Reef Madness: Charles Darwin, Alexander Agassiz, and the Meaning of Coral, which traces the strangest but most forgotten controversy in Darwin's career — an elemental dispute running some 75 years.
If you'd like, you can subscribe to Neuron Culture by email. You might also want to see more of my work at my main website or check out my Tumblr log.
June 30, 2009
Category: Brains and minds
This won't do much to shine up psychiatry's reputation, which has been tarnished and scratched enough lately. But something like this was virtually inevitable once the APA perversely decided to make the process of revising the DSM closed and secretive.
Posted by David Dobbs at 5:25 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
I had the pleasure to spend some time with Sacks while working on a couple stories, and he once gave me a book about Alexander Agassiz because he liked my book about Agassiz -- and I'm happy to see him exert his usual charm and humor here in this Stewart segment.
Posted by David Dobbs at 10:45 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Medicine
The US now has had over 1 million flu cases this spring -- despite the end of regular flu season. 90 days till flu season resumes. Anyone paying attention?
Posted by David Dobbs at 10:19 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
This is not at all hard to imagine, as ADHD meds are generally prescribed because parents and teachers believe they'll solve behavioral problems -- and have a strong desire to see them work.
Posted by David Dobbs at 8:04 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
June 29, 2009
Category: Environment/nature
Paul Krugman tunes out the noise.
Posted by David Dobbs at 6:54 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
June 25, 2009
Category: Brains and minds
Much much much ado on the web this week, on the too-many fronts I try to visit. From my list of notables:
Posted by David Dobbs at 4:51 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
June 24, 2009
Category: Healthcare policy
Will's argument is apparently this: The government does not need to make a profit and ... therefore it will deliver the same service for less money. That's unfair! Is this really the best argument they can mount against the public option?
Posted by David Dobbs at 9:56 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
June 23, 2009
Category: Environment/nature
You don't see this every day.
Posted by David Dobbs at 2:57 PM • 0 Comments •
Category: Healthcare policy
"The result will probably be a historic win when compared to the status quo, but I doubt it's going to feel like that for supporters of the initiative"
Posted by David Dobbs at 2:56 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Art
Perhaps because I so enjoyed the time I spent at sea learning about fish, I particularly enjoyed this collection of Nick Cobbing's photos of ice, sea, and people who work them — scientists, fishermen, adventurers
Posted by David Dobbs at 1:54 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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