Thank you, Rock Giant.

I love this song. Sorry, folks. It’s funny.

The Lesson

I’ve been trying to fit both movie trailers into one post, but to no avail. So, here is the ID version of Flock of Dodos, Ben Stein’s Expelled. You can find a rebuttal to Expelled at expelledexposed.com. I also found this rebuttal to Flock of Dodos interesting.

It all just goes to show that good editing can tell just about any story.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

And, mine is certainly now in San Francisco. The past month has brought some incredible changes to my life, and I am now looking (only somewhat fearfully) at the upcoming year with excitement. I am commuting once a week to Davis, CA for TWIS. We’ll see how long I’ll be up to the commute, but I promise that TWIS will persist regardless. Food Science is on hold for the time being. Hopefully, we’ll be bringing new episodes to you sooner rather than later. And, I’m working on a new project with Revision3, which will launch in late February. Stay tuned for lots of science fun!

In the meantime, this past week included two important days: Valentine’s Day and Darwin’s birthday. While I saw people running around with flowers, cards, and candy for the former, the latter heralded hardly a peep outside the science community. It’s quite a shame I think that a vaguely known Saint is so celebrated, but Darwin remains in the sidelines aside for the occasional attacks by religious fundamentalists.

Many scientific hypotheses come and go, but Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection has weathered the tests of time. It remains a solid, well-tested mechanism comprising one of the fundamental processes of the Theory of Evolution. Darwin’s influence on the entire field of evolutionary thought cannot be discounted, and is possibly as important as that of Einstein on the field of physics. Yet, where is the love? Here’s a song produced by a friend of mine, which I think does a great job of covering the issue. Expect to hear it on the 2008 TWIS compilation cd!

Steve Jobs Almost Picked Me!

Haha! The MacWorld Keynote almost featured li’l ol’ me. Steve Jobs gave an example of the HD videos available through Apple TV. When he went to the screen in iTunes, Food Science was right there at the top of the list next to a show about snowboarding. Steve’s mouse was right next to me! But, the snowboarder won out, which I understand completely. I can’t really compete for entertainment value with people jumping off of mountains.

Wouldn’t You Know It?

The monkeys invented prostitution way back… or, at least, men have had to work for sex throughout history.

There’s been a sense in the animal behavior world for quite some time (since around 1994 when biological markets were first proposed) that sex should be thought of as a commodity. It is THE big resource for life. Without it, there would be no procreation, and females hold the key. So, this research goes some way toward providing evidence for the idea.

My big question, however, is why is this such a big story? It is everywhere in the news, and I have been sent the story by at least four separate people. Is it that the combination of monkeys and sex in one story is just too good to pass up?

Isn’t It Interesting That…

“In an age when people have benefited so greatly from science and reason, it is ironic that some still reject the tools that have afforded them the privilege to reject them, says Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal.” (Link)

This is a fact that I have yet to comprehend.

Do You Think I’m Sexy?

At least a couple of people think I’m a sexy geek. That’s pretty cool. Although, I hope it’s my mind (and fanatical drive to  popularize science) they find sexy.
I have been nominated for the Wired Magazine 2007 Sexiest Geek Contest. It really is an honor to be up there with all those other geeks. Especially when there are so many more geeks out there not even being recognized. (I think I need to nominate Lisa Randall.) Thanks to those who have voted for me. I forgive you if you voted me down. And, if you haven’t voted me up yet, what are you waiting for? Click the link and scroll through the list until you find me.

Happy New Year!

What a year it is shaping up to be already. One day back from vacation and there is already so much going on.

I need to find a place to live in San Francisco before the end of the month, and move. Time to hit the road outta Davis, and try out life in the big little city. I need to finish six more episodes of Food Science in the next two months. TWIS needs a face-lift. I’m hoping to launch at least three more sciencey video series this month, and a new audio podcast. Plus, MacWorld is mid-month, and I will be covering the tech from a science angle for MacBreak (along with playing up my PC to Mac conversion - yes, I now own a Macbook). I think I am insane for wanting to do as much as I want to do, but it will all be so much fun I can’t help myself.

Here’s a smattering of pictures from the end of the year I thought would be fun to share.

Here, I was visited on the set of Food Science by the Girls Gone Geek:

Then, in December, I was invited to the Zivity holiday party by my friend, and model, Damanda:

Finally, I traveled to Vancouver where I played with food for Leo Laporte on The Lab. Here’s me in my hotel room:

And, here’s Alex Lindsey in the cab ride over to The Lab:

There is definitely more fun to be had this year. I’ve been told that 2008 is really Two thousand and great.

Birth Day…

So, I am another year wiser today. Funny how the years are starting to progress so much more quickly. It’s all relative to how long I’ve been alive I guess. This year, while difficult in parts, has been one of the most exciting transition filled years of my life. The next will only be moreso. I will complete my dissertation and within the next few months become a Doctor with a capital D. Hopefully, I won’t go around sticking my PhD in my mouth too often. Marshall and I will move to someplace other than Davis. The most likely candidate is San Francisco because that’s where M wants to go, and I made him live in Davis for the past 4 years so I could finish school. It’s his turn to choose. Then comes the job. Where will I work? Who will I be? Will I be able to parlay my radio program into a career? The questions and more are yet to be answered.

There is so much adventure yet to come. I can’t wait for tomorrow.

But, in the meantime, if you were interested in getting me a present, I present the words as sung by Marillyn Monroe in Gentlement Prefer Blondes (ironically my grandfather sent me these lyrics today of all days… what is he saying?):

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

The French are glad to die for love
They delight in fighting duels
But I prefer a man who lives
And gives expensive jewels

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend
A kiss may be grand but won’t pay the rental
On your humble flat, or help you at the automat
Men grow cold as girls grow old
And we all lose our charms in the end
But square-cut or pear-shaped
These rocks don’t lose their shape
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

Tiffany’s! ……..Cartier!…….Black Star, Frost, Gorham
Talk to me Harry Winston,tell me all about it!
There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend

There may come a time when a hard-boiled employer
Thinks you’re awful nice
But get that ice or else no dice
He’s your guy when stocks are high
But beware when they start to descend
It’s then that those louses go back to their spouses
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend

I’ve heard of affairs that are strictly platonic
But diamonds are a girl’s best friend

And I think affairs that you must keep liaison ic
Are better bets if little pets get big baguettes
Time rolls on and youth is gone
And you can’t straighten up when you bend But stiff back or stiff knees
You stand straight at Tiffany’s

Diamonds!!… Diamonds!!…
- I don’t mean rhinestones -
But Diamonds, Are A Girl’s Best, Best Friend

For a hint as to my preferred type of diamond follow this link.

Water is not self-conscious

Ok, yes, I am a skeptic. But would someone please tell me how this is not just frozen water? Why don’t people go to a chemistry textbook before making websites and going on book-tours? Yes, the water crystals are pretty. No, polluted water doesn’t crystalize the same. I don’t understand why this is so amazing. I am ready for the hate mail. Last skeptic standing is a monkey’s uncle.

From the FAQ:

“The misssion of water is to act as a multidimensional transporter, carrying out our thoughts and whatever is in front of them.”