By Sanford (Sandy) Morganstein

It will be the 138th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s birth on March 14.

Einstein once wrote to Freud: “[Great men] have little influence on the course of political events. It would almost appear that the very domain of human activity most crucial to the fate of nations is inescapably in the hands of wholly irresponsible political rulers.”

Ouch!

Continue reading “March and the Birth of Another Giant of Science”

By Janet McMillan

Many within the scientific community have expressed fear that a March for Science, like the Woman’s March, will become divisively political, and widen divides between scientists and skeptics. This is a self-defeating perspective: this divide is wider then it has ever been, and will continue to widen regardless of whether scientists march. The benefits of speaking out far outweigh this potential damage: there is an overwhelming need to strengthen communication between scientists and the public, and the current political climate provides an opportunity for this conversation to happen in an unusually impactful way.

Continue reading “The March for Science: An Opportunity to Mobilize”

By Sanford (Sandy) Morganstein

February is an especially good time to think of the scientific method and its deep connection to truth.  It’s also a good time to think about the relationship of science to the citizen’s role in emphasizing truth.

Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809.  Galileo Galilei was also born in February (February 15, 1564).  Whether or not you like the over-simplification of tagging Galileo as the “father of the scientific method,” you still might appreciate the view that Darwin is the intellectual godson of Galileo.  Both Darwin and Galileo upset deeply held established views on the nature of, well, nature!  Both suffered as a result…but, importantly, to differing degrees.

Continue reading “February and the Birth of Scientific Giants”