Boing Boing
Science Editor at Boing Boing and writer for the New York Times Magazine column 'Eureka', where she writes about the intersection of science and culture; author of Before the Lights Go Out: Conquering the Energy Crisis Before It Conquers Us
Driving While High New research is inconclusive about how marijuana use affects driving. As pot becomes decriminalized across the country, how does law enforcement determine if a person is driving under the influence?
The Business and Future of Space Exploration Today in San Jose, California - the NewSpace Conference begins. It’s a gathering of big and small companies interested in going to space and picking up where NASA left off with the end of the space shuttle program. We’re going to talk about what this means for science and exploration and find out who really governs deep space.
The Business and Future of Space Exploration Today in San Jose, California - the NewSpace Conference begins. It’s a gathering of big and small companies interested in going to space and picking up where NASA left off with the end of the space shuttle program. We’re going to talk about what this means for science and exploration and find out who really governs deep space.
A Look Back at 2012 and Community-Building in America Divisive elections and political debates, horrific shootings, angrily defended positions on issues like gun control are all part of the history of 2012. But beyond those headlines, there's another way of looking at the year, and that's through the lens of community-building. Americans found new ways to re-define and rebuild community this past year, from their responses to disasters to virtual social media networks to grass-roots efforts in places like Detroit. How does our sense of community shape our sense of ourselves? What does the year tell us about who we are and who we're becoming?
Franken-clouds on the Horizon? As another international climate conference begins in Bonn, Germany, today, the world continues to warm and the human role grows ever more clear, as does the inability to reach meaningful agreements to slow emissions. One possible solution is scientists altering the atmosphere and cooling the planet with technology. But would that be the good news or the bad news? Some environmentalists say a geoengineering 'fix' might be worse than doing nothing. We're already messing with the atmosphere, and it hasn't worked out very well. Even research advocates seem afraid of the idea. But things are very likely going to get worse, and a 'Plan B' might look a lot better a couple of decades from now. We should start testing ideas now.
Franken-clouds on the Horizon? As another international climate conference begins in Bonn, Germany, today, the world continues to warm and the human role grows ever more clear, as does the inability to reach meaningful agreements to slow emissions. One possible solution is scientists altering the atmosphere and cooling the planet with technology. But would that be the good news or the bad news? Some environmentalists say a geoengineering 'fix' might be worse than doing nothing. We're already messing with the atmosphere, and it hasn't worked out very well. Even research advocates seem afraid of the idea. But things are very likely going to get worse, and a 'Plan B' might look a lot better a couple of decades from now. We should start testing ideas now.
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
