Now on ScienceBlogs: The many babirusa species (babirusas, part VI)
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.
Category: Culture of science
It was in this unique archipelago that Alexander Agassiz found the evidence he felt proved beyond doubt that Darwin's theory of coral reef formation was wrong, dead wrong.
Posted by David Dobbs at 6:57 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Environment/nature
Don't see this every day. From the excellent Dovdox, Alan Dove's scijo blog: Awhile back, I commented on the...
Posted by David Dobbs at 7:09 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Books
The coral reef argument was fascinating in its own right, both scientifically and dramatically -- for here a very capable andn conscientious scientist, Alexander Agassiz, struggled to reconcile both two views of science and the legacies of the two scientific giants of the age, one of whom was his father.
Posted by David Dobbs at 9:50 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Brains and minds
On citing papers you haven't read; writing better cuz U write more; the merits of merit pay; placebo effect versus placebo effect; and for fun, fire towers.
Posted by David Dobbs at 10:06 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Books
I was pleased to see my book Reef Madness: Charles Darwin, Alexander Agassiz, and the Meaning of Coral written up in a couple of venues recently -- The Primate Diaries and The Reef Tank.
Posted by David Dobbs at 6:37 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Digital culture
In case you missed them (or miss them, and want to read again ...)
Posted by David Dobbs at 2:22 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Culture of science
Among the many treats in Carl Zimmer's piece on fireflies and sex, I particularly liked this quick peek at how a life and a career can take a sharp turn for the most unplanned of reasons.
Posted by David Dobbs at 7:52 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Environment/nature
Paul Krugman tunes out the noise.
Posted by David Dobbs at 6:54 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
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
Category: Environment/nature
You don't see this every day.
Posted by David Dobbs at 2:57 PM • 0 Comments •
