Author Archives: Thoughtscapism

About Thoughtscapism

Cell Biologist, volunteer science communicator, and fiction writer.

COVID-19 Vaccine Suspensions May Be Rash Rather than Precautionary

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

The wish to take time for careful deliberation of risks, which in itself is perfectly reasonable, immediately lead to decisions to suspend the vaccine while authorities deliberated. This is indicative of a natural quick and less measured reaction happening in tandem with the appropriate data-analysis. The natural reaction to be particularly averse of man-made, unfamiliar risks (like those from vaccine side-effects) easily overshadows our appreciation of natural ones (like the continuing spread and death toll from the pandemic). It feels more reassuring to actively take a step to avoid a risk (vaccination side-effect), while passively allowing the risk of disease to continue. Continue reading →

Posted in health, medicine, science communication, society, vaccines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Contaminated Concepts about Chernobyl

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

Visiting Chernobyl is an opportunity to reflect on a tragic piece of history, but also our own risk perceptions. It is not dangerous. It offers a great chance to observe thriving wildlife – no three headed fish or glow-in-the-dark rats among them. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear, psychology, science communication, society | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The Animals of Chernobyl – Trip Report, Day Three

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

It was a great juxtaposition to see all this natural life so near the reactor sites. The wildlife doesn’t care about the thought of the radiation, since its presence at these levels has no practical effect on them. The animals aren’t afraid. Continue reading →

Posted in biology, energy, environment, health, nuclear | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Town That Remained Despite the Chernobyl Accident

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

Officially the people of Narodychi were told to leave their homes three decades ago – but they never left. Their lives went on. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear, society | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Visiting Chernobyl, Day One, The Most Dangerous Part of the Trip: Kyiv

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I finally found time to write about my visit to Chernobyl. I hope to do justice to the tremendous impression left by the people I got to meet, including locals living in the area, former clean-up workers, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Decarbonisation at a Discount? Let’s Not Sell Future Generations Short

Posted on November 5, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

Economy: an intricate system of mediums of exchange that enables many complex workings of our societies. It’s a wondrous interconnected network of symbols, really, a true testament to human ability of abstract thought. How we should best steer or influence … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, energy, finance, nuclear, renewables, society | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Risks of Failed Risk Assessments On Natural vs Unfamiliar Sources of Energy

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

German society Nuklearia kindly invited me to write about risk perceptions on the topic of energy on their blog, where this piece originally appeared in German. You can read it in English below. Humans are naturally bad at assessing complex … Continue reading →

Posted in climate, energy, health, psychology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What Level of Risk Justifies Denying People Their Homes? A Look at Fukushima vs Pollution in Big Cities

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I was very moved after hearing the heartfelt testimonies of teacher Yoshiko Aoki, high-school student Moe Harada, and a group of students dialling in from Fukushima to the OECD NEA risk communication workshop in Paris. I previously shared with you … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, health, nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Stories from Tomioka Town, Fukushima

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I want to share with you the touching testimonies of a teacher and students of Tomioka town in Fukushima prefecture, whom I had the privilege of listening to while I attended a radiological risk communication workshop at OECD Nuclear Energy … Continue reading →

Posted in nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Chemical Exposures: The Good, the Bad, and the Tiny

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I have often written about the lack of perspective on chemical scares, which is why I was happy to find out that Swedish Professor Emeritus in toxicology, Lennart Dencker, has written a book on this topic called “Not as dangerous … Continue reading →

Posted in biology, chemistry, environment, health, nutrition, science communication | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments