Category Archives: society

World’s Worst Energy Accidents in Environmental Perspective

I began my three-part series on energy accidents to answer the question: “What about Chernobyl?” This type of concern invariably comes up whenever nuclear power is discussed, as fear of nuclear accidents is something that is cemented into our cultural … Continue reading

Posted in biology, climate, energy, environment, history, nuclear, renewables, society | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

“What About Radioactive Wastelands?” A Look at Chernobyl’s Effects on Nature

“What about Chernobyl?” is a question many people ask whenever nuclear power is discussed. In my first look at that question, in the previous article, I put the World’s Deadliest Energy Accidents in Perspective. But many people will point out … Continue reading

Posted in biology, energy, environment, history, nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Saving Lives Is Not Shameful – Let’s Break the Stigma on Supporting Nuclear Energy

I own a t-shirt that says “Ask me about nuclear energy.” On the back there’s an image of a cooling tower and the words: “Sustainable. Ecological. Independent.” I wore it to my daughter’s first day at our village music kindergarten … Continue reading

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear, parenting, psychology, renewables, society | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Risk In Perspective: Population Risk Does Not Equal Individual Risk

This series is a collaboration between neuroscientist Alison Bernstein and biologist Iida Ruishalme. Errors in risk perception are at the core of so many issues in science communication that we think this is a critical topic to explore in detail. … Continue reading

Posted in health, society | Tagged | 5 Comments

Risk In Perspective: Hazards Are Not All Created Equal

This series is a collaboration between neuroscientist Alison Bernstein and biologist Iida Ruishalme. Errors in risk perception are at the core of so many issues in science communication that we think this is a critical topic to explore in detail. … Continue reading

Posted in health, society, vaccines | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Nuclear Energy Is the Fastest and Lowest-Cost Clean Energy Solution

I’ve joked to my friends that if there is anything that proves how important I consider the clean energy topic to be, it’s me digging into electricity pricing. I have a natural aversion to economics – I’ve demoted that aversion … Continue reading

Posted in climate, energy, finance, nuclear, renewables, society | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

When My Grandma Asked Her Königsberg Pen-Pal About Hitler

An inside perspective into the mind of an aryan citizen of Germany in the 1930s – how the ideas leading to the holocaust were planted in the minds of its people. Continue reading

Posted in history, society | Tagged , | 5 Comments

On the Nature of ‘Natural’

Is something good because it’s natural? The word natural is often used when we want to convey something good, and imply that the object of discussion is not, in some way, the product of a humans-only process. To note, this … Continue reading

Posted in biology, chemistry, society | Tagged | 2 Comments

IARC Under Fire from Scientists: Mission Outdated, Methods Lacking

Considering recently published scientific reviews on the International Agency on Cancer Research (IARC) concerning their methods and overall mission, as well as their specific conclusion on glyphosate, I thought the topic deserved an update of its own. I have written … Continue reading

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17. Can Glyphosate Research Be Trusted?

In my series 17 Questions about Glyphosate, last but not least comes a post about the integrity of research, how funding may influence research results, and what corporate involvement with scientists may entail. And if scientists mostly are not influenced … Continue reading

Posted in finance, science, society | Tagged , | 3 Comments