http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:39:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2686 Tales From The Industry, VI | Cosmic Variance Fri, 21 Apr 2006 03:53:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2686 [...] Well, you might recall that I am passionate about science outreach, public science education, and helping members of society get truly involved in the democratic process (by being able to make more informed decisions about issues affecting our lives) by being more engaged with science, the scientific process, and scientific issues. A major start in this is for them to get more comfortable with scientists, learning that they are real people, in the real world, just like they are. Break down the fear of the scientist (the one that is portrayed most often in the media now) and maybe the breakdown of the fear of science will follow……. and you’ve maybe read my many blog posts on this (see here and also follow the trackbacks in the comment stream; also here)….. So you might agree with me that one way of advancing these goals is to get more science (and especially portrayals of scientists) in the places where people spend most of their time looking: TV, Cinema, and other media (such as this blog). So I therefore cannot ignore the fact that I’m at USC and that there is this wonderful training ground of the future leaders in the Industry not many buildings away. [...] […] Well, you might recall that I am passionate about science outreach, public science education, and helping members of society get truly involved in the democratic process (by being able to make more informed decisions about issues affecting our lives) by being more engaged with science, the scientific process, and scientific issues. A major start in this is for them to get more comfortable with scientists, learning that they are real people, in the real world, just like they are. Break down the fear of the scientist (the one that is portrayed most often in the media now) and maybe the breakdown of the fear of science will follow……. and you’ve maybe read my many blog posts on this (see here and also follow the trackbacks in the comment stream; also here)….. So you might agree with me that one way of advancing these goals is to get more science (and especially portrayals of scientists) in the places where people spend most of their time looking: TV, Cinema, and other media (such as this blog). So I therefore cannot ignore the fact that I’m at USC and that there is this wonderful training ground of the future leaders in the Industry not many buildings away. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2685 Non-Minimal Weekend | Cosmic Variance Tue, 04 Apr 2006 03:35:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2685 [...] I was at a particularly good dinner party on Saturday night over on the West Side. It had a little under a dozen people, from professionals in academia and surrounds (such as relativist Kip Thorne of Caltech, or Legal scholar and writer/broadcaster Jonathan Kirsch) to professionals in entertainment (such as writer/performer Julia Sweeney), and journalism (such as South African Journalist and Activist Zubeida Jaffer) and several other fields…. and a good time was had by all. I only had to explain string theory and the whole of particle physics three times (to three separate groups; and I was glad for the opportunity to do so) so I managed to get some food and wine down. I’m not sure if my biggest moment was convincing the razor-sharp Julia Sweeney that maybe she does not hate string theoy quite so much any more, or whether it was just finding ourselves enthusiastically in agreement over public transport issues in LA (i.e., it exists, if only people would use it more! Well, you’ve heard me on this topic a lot…..). We also spoke a lot about getting more science into the entertainment/media realm as well (you’ve heard me on that topic a lot too) a subject we agreed was worth pursuing… [...] […] I was at a particularly good dinner party on Saturday night over on the West Side. It had a little under a dozen people, from professionals in academia and surrounds (such as relativist Kip Thorne of Caltech, or Legal scholar and writer/broadcaster Jonathan Kirsch) to professionals in entertainment (such as writer/performer Julia Sweeney), and journalism (such as South African Journalist and Activist Zubeida Jaffer) and several other fields…. and a good time was had by all. I only had to explain string theory and the whole of particle physics three times (to three separate groups; and I was glad for the opportunity to do so) so I managed to get some food and wine down. I’m not sure if my biggest moment was convincing the razor-sharp Julia Sweeney that maybe she does not hate string theoy quite so much any more, or whether it was just finding ourselves enthusiastically in agreement over public transport issues in LA (i.e., it exists, if only people would use it more! Well, you’ve heard me on this topic a lot…..). We also spoke a lot about getting more science into the entertainment/media realm as well (you’ve heard me on that topic a lot too) a subject we agreed was worth pursuing… […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2684 String Theory’s Star on the Rise | Cosmic Variance Sun, 02 Apr 2006 08:44:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2684 [...] Yeah, I know that some people who just have it in for string theory are going to be annoyed at this, but please try to keep your eye on the big picture. This is good for science. May it open the door for more recognition of science in mainstream popular culture, which as you know from reading this blog, is a subject dear to my heart. [...] […] Yeah, I know that some people who just have it in for string theory are going to be annoyed at this, but please try to keep your eye on the big picture. This is good for science. May it open the door for more recognition of science in mainstream popular culture, which as you know from reading this blog, is a subject dear to my heart. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2683 We Have Agents In The Field | Cosmic Variance Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:24:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2683 [...] I like the idea of this. Recall my oft-repeated-on-this-blog quest for better public understanding of science, and more familiarity with scientists and science on the part of the “person on the street” (as a means to the former) (see e.g., here and here). Well, the idea that there’s a secret underground of scientists infiltrating various jobs that we’re not expected to occupy is an excellent one! (Will work it into that novel/screenplay/whatever that I’ll try to get around to writing one day.) [...] […] I like the idea of this. Recall my oft-repeated-on-this-blog quest for better public understanding of science, and more familiarity with scientists and science on the part of the “person on the street” (as a means to the former) (see e.g., here and here). Well, the idea that there’s a secret underground of scientists infiltrating various jobs that we’re not expected to occupy is an excellent one! (Will work it into that novel/screenplay/whatever that I’ll try to get around to writing one day.) […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2681 Tales From The Industry, V | Cosmic Variance Thu, 09 Mar 2006 19:18:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2681 [...] Oliver and I gave a quick introduction to how we came to work together, what our motivations were/are, etc. We also had a question and answer session afterwards. I’ve no idea what I said in detail (I was in the middle of jetlag haze) but I certainly took the opportunity to explain my motivations in general terms (science education, breaking down the public’s fear of science and scientists, etc…..see the earlier posts (links e.g., here, here and here.) Speaking to a number of actors, and writers afterwards also gave me the chance to appeal to them to seek out opportunities to write and perform works where science and scientists are just as much a part of the tapestry of society as doctors, lawyers, sportspeople, politicians, etc. [...] […] Oliver and I gave a quick introduction to how we came to work together, what our motivations were/are, etc. We also had a question and answer session afterwards. I’ve no idea what I said in detail (I was in the middle of jetlag haze) but I certainly took the opportunity to explain my motivations in general terms (science education, breaking down the public’s fear of science and scientists, etc…..see the earlier posts (links e.g., here, here and here.) Speaking to a number of actors, and writers afterwards also gave me the chance to appeal to them to seek out opportunities to write and perform works where science and scientists are just as much a part of the tapestry of society as doctors, lawyers, sportspeople, politicians, etc. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2682 Tales From The Industry, IV | Cosmic Variance Mon, 06 Feb 2006 08:23:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2682 [...] One of the things that contributed to my insanely busy existence toward the end of last year was an unusual project that I was involved in. I was writing a play. It arose out of my often-expressed (on this blog) view that we need more (and better, and more varied) portrayals of science and scientists in the media and the arts, as part of the all-important effort to reduce the public’s fear of science, and to thereby aid in the process of achieving a better baseline of science education and critical thinking about science issues on the part of the general public. I won’t go into it again here. You can read ever so many posts I’ve written about it by looking in the archives (links e.g., here and here.) [...] […] One of the things that contributed to my insanely busy existence toward the end of last year was an unusual project that I was involved in. I was writing a play. It arose out of my often-expressed (on this blog) view that we need more (and better, and more varied) portrayals of science and scientists in the media and the arts, as part of the all-important effort to reduce the public’s fear of science, and to thereby aid in the process of achieving a better baseline of science education and critical thinking about science issues on the part of the general public. I won’t go into it again here. You can read ever so many posts I’ve written about it by looking in the archives (links e.g., here and here.) […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2680 Tales From The Industry, II | Cosmic Variance Mon, 05 Dec 2005 03:57:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2680 [...] Here’s an additional exciting note…albeit a footnote. There was a scientist there too. Perhaps, given his social agenda (links e.g., here and here), there’ll be a bit of science sprinkled in the new forms too. At least a bit more than there is in the raditional forms now. Cross your fingers for luck, please. [...] […] Here’s an additional exciting note…albeit a footnote. There was a scientist there too. Perhaps, given his social agenda (links e.g., here and here), there’ll be a bit of science sprinkled in the new forms too. At least a bit more than there is in the raditional forms now. Cross your fingers for luck, please. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2679 Three Proposals of Marriage | Cosmic Variance Fri, 04 Nov 2005 07:10:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2679 [...] I then turned and walked away only to be facing my good friend, Los Angeles Theatre scence playwright and colleague from the School of Theatre, Oliver Mayer. I said the same opening sentence to him and again we completed the joke together. We sat, had more wine (it’s 4:30pm on a weekday, but you don’t install a new Provost everyday…..) and I told him about my standard bugbear about which you’ve heard so many times: Better representation of science, scientists, and the scientific process in the arts and media should be part of the battle of increasing the public’s awareness and appreciation of science and the crucial role it plays in society, etc…… I won’t repeat myself again (see also e.g. here and here, in comments). He caught on immediately, and spoke of the fact that in all the the characters and scenarios he’s written about, he’s never explored scientists and science, as it is outside his realm of experience. So I then spoke of my general frustrations about this being the case not just for playwrights, but also for actors, filmmakers, journalists, their editors, etc. We spoke about speaking more (you know, “my people will call your people” -except neither of us are important enough to have “people” to call each other-) and we parted. [...] […] I then turned and walked away only to be facing my good friend, Los Angeles Theatre scence playwright and colleague from the School of Theatre, Oliver Mayer. I said the same opening sentence to him and again we completed the joke together. We sat, had more wine (it’s 4:30pm on a weekday, but you don’t install a new Provost everyday…..) and I told him about my standard bugbear about which you’ve heard so many times: Better representation of science, scientists, and the scientific process in the arts and media should be part of the battle of increasing the public’s awareness and appreciation of science and the crucial role it plays in society, etc…… I won’t repeat myself again (see also e.g. here and here, in comments). He caught on immediately, and spoke of the fact that in all the the characters and scenarios he’s written about, he’s never explored scientists and science, as it is outside his realm of experience. So I then spoke of my general frustrations about this being the case not just for playwrights, but also for actors, filmmakers, journalists, their editors, etc. We spoke about speaking more (you know, “my people will call your people” -except neither of us are important enough to have “people” to call each other-) and we parted. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2678 KC and USC | Cosmic Variance Fri, 28 Oct 2005 04:52:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2678 [...] I’m excited about this because of my interests in the communication of science to the public, and how this might be done more effectively (and in larger quantities), toward my ultimate goal of increased science awareness in society at large, which I’ve shared with you here. One of the key things that has to be tackled in this area is of course the better training of journalists in this specific area of science coverage. [...] […] I’m excited about this because of my interests in the communication of science to the public, and how this might be done more effectively (and in larger quantities), toward my ultimate goal of increased science awareness in society at large, which I’ve shared with you here. One of the key things that has to be tackled in this area is of course the better training of journalists in this specific area of science coverage. […]

]]> http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2677 Now That’s What I’m Talking About! | Cosmic Variance Mon, 26 Sep 2005 22:04:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2005/08/30/still-dreaming-of-the-day/#comment-2677 [...] The whole world view expressed by the magazine (and the group, as far as I can tell) seems to be so in line with my fantasy of the way society should be in terms of being science-savvy, which I’ve talked about so many times in other posts on this blog. (See here , here, here, here, and comments of mine in the accompanying discussion threads too.) [...] […] The whole world view expressed by the magazine (and the group, as far as I can tell) seems to be so in line with my fantasy of the way society should be in terms of being science-savvy, which I’ve talked about so many times in other posts on this blog. (See here , here, here, here, and comments of mine in the accompanying discussion threads too.) […]

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