Science Fact vs. Science Fiction: Does it matter, and why?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

A lot, a lot.

It's no secret that I think it does indeed matter, but in just my own personal sphere, I consistently encounter uncaring opinions from other people. This isn't me complaining, this is me honestly concerned.

What am I talking about? While science is talked about in the public sphere more and more, gives us cell phones and medical solutions, while we see Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson regularly on TV and we even have the massively encouraging "March for Science" rallies, there are still a lot of issues. Apathy abounds, and much of the public does not see what value science holds, or what it does for them. Our pop culture tells us a lot about this. Allow me to take a moment and explain, if I may.

I was so displeased with Jurassic World that I didn't even bother to see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (see my review of the first four films here). The new Meg movie has me thinking about this all the more (a film I also did not see, although shark biologist Dr. David Shiffman did, and reviewed it here). And, perhaps most concerning, hoax mockumentaries from no less than the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet convinced countless viewers that a giant shark was being concealed by scientists and the government, and that mermaids were also real (science writer Brian Switek wrote about these when they aired, see his excellent pieces here, and here). Please don't ask me about Ancient Aliens. This issue as it is found in my own little corner of the science world (paleontology) was discussed by Elsa Panciroli at The Guardian in this piece here. And that's just scratching the surface of recent events.

With all of this, many people see an increasing trend in public confusion. While television and certain parts of the internet seem to drive this phenomenon, other parts help undo the damage (for example, Cosmos and Science Twitter and Science Tumblr!).

So, instead of lamenting something cultural, waxing philosophical, or embracing misanthropy and running away to a mountan hut, I'd like to offer some brief points as to why it matters (for those of you unconvinced as of yet) and what to do about it (for those of you newly or already convinced). I hope that this may sway some of you on the fence, and make you think. You don't have to sacrifice the fun to embrace the truths that science has uncovered. For those of you frustrated like I often am, I hope to present some hope. This is by no means a be-all, end-all post, these are just a handful viewpoints, and written as succinctly as possible in order to save my readers time with their busy schedules (I get it, I'm nearly always busy, too!).

#1. Science has driven the human race forward from our hunter-gatherer roots to what we are now. This feat cannot be understated. We continue to strive onwards and excelsior, and it is science that gives us the ability to do that. The simple flintknapper of pre-antiquity has much in common with those who study the stars, or look for cures to human maladies. If you aren't convinced yet, read and study more (the smartphone you'll probably use to researcj this was made possible by science, by the way). If you are convinced, here's how you can just scratch the surface and get things going. Encourage science as a whole, or any aspect of it. Visit a museum, zoo, aquarium, planetarium, watch a good science documentary, or read a good science book. Then, tell others about it. Science is everywhere; you don't have to start stargazing or birdwatching if you aren't ready to. You can start by studying something if interest to you. Like cooking? Read Robert Wolke's What Einstein Told His Cook, parts one and two. Prefer to spend time in the gym? Learn about anatomy, muscles and fitness! And so on and so forth.

#2. Science and the arts are closer than you think. You don't have to avoid movies to love science. Albert Einstein himself said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." (What Life Means to Einstein, 1929). Much of science fiction, for example, excites people about science (Here's looking at you, Star Trek, you beautiful thing, you!), and even cheese such as Godzilla at least can get you asking great questions (Can an animal get that big? Quick answer: no, something kaiju fans such as myself will forever find saddening. But the point is, you asked the question!). Entertain yourself and your loved ones, and bring the science with you. Fun and fact can complement each other!

#3. Science literacy is a serious concern here in America, and we're not doing nearly as well as we should be. As the future generations matter (That's self-explanatory, right?), this is a crucial issue. Humanity must drive forward. There are new things to discover, new problems to solve (many of those massive and pressing; global warming, pollution, the sixth mass extinction, etc.), and even those of us not directly around children can help. Friends or family are bound to have kids; give them gifts or age-appropriate science books, or good science-based toys. Share your love of science with them. Find a teacher and help support them if you can. Where there's a will, there's a way!

#4. I'm going to go out on a limb here, and wax unusual by suggesting something; if you're on the fence, just try it. I suggest one of the many reasons for involving yourself in science is not just for the good of humanity, but it's for your own personal enrichment, too. Look up at the sky, or at a forest, a flower, a snowflake, or the ocean, and allow yourself to wonder. Lose yourself in the natural world. Look. Open your eyes. Then close them. Listen. Smell. Feel. Science is an experience as much as anything else. As you begin to ask questions, you can learn the answers, and that knowledge is something no one can ever take from you. I can't think of anything more liberating, fulfilling, or empowering. Try it!

#5. Interested in getting involved? Similar to what I talked about in #1, you can donate to good institutions, or volunteer at a museum, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, etc. The possibilities are endless. If you're more interested in the personal investment side of it, you can become a birder, or stargaze, or collect insects or rocks, or even just read and educate yourself. Find something simple that strikes your fancy. You can even join myself and many others in "Sci-Comm" (science communication) and spread the word through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and more.

Hopefully this general intro will get a few people thinking!

Spencer Bronte
Science, to a Student

Sci-Bits #7

Time for some more!

How Mermaids Became a Real Problem for Scientists

Not even Jimmy Kimmel can convince William Hayes about dinosaurs

Is palaeontology a waste of public money?

The Ridiculous Nasal Anatomy of Giant Horned Dinosaurs

This paleontologist explains why dinosaur fossils are at risk in Utah's Bears Ears region

Cranial bone histology of Metoposaurus krasiejowensis (Amphibia, Temnospondyli) from the Late Triassic of Poland

New species of 'weird bird'-like dinosaur discovered in China

The Hidden Rhomaleosaurus

Dinosaurs' rise was 'more gradual,' new fossil evidence suggests

Newfound Ancient 'Sea Monster' Is Largest Yet from Antarctica

How and why to date a dinosaur

Tough Turtle: Dino-Killing Asteroid Spared Sea Creature

Biggest map of dinosaur tree yet suggests they emerged 20 million years earlier than thought

Permia - Prehistoric Clothing & Collectibles - Dinosaur Art & More!

Remember the Alamosaurus: America's armored dinosaur titan

William Chaloner obituary

Fossilized Dinos Are Bones Turned to Stone—But Sometimes, Part of the Original Dino Survives

Original dinosaur claw sheath proteins preserved for 75 million years

2 Dome-Headed Dinosaurs the Size of German Shepherds Discovered

Dinosaur Metabolism and the Allometry of Maximum Growth Rate, by Nathan P. Myhrvold

After Dinosaur Extinction, Some Insects Recovered More Quickly

Fossilized Leaves Reveal How Earth Recovered After Mass Extinction

Palaeoart: drawing from the past - Science Borealis

Bird Beaks Are Cooler Than You Think — Literally

Hyainailourine and teratodontine cranial material from the late Eocene of Egypt and the application of parsimony and Bayesian methods to the phylogeny and biogeography of Hyaenodonta (Placentalia, Mammalia)

Giant extinct salmon fought with spike teeth during upriver spawning events

Snowmastodon Female Pathological Skull (Gaston Designs) - Video

Life Size Sansoriopterygids by KakureRyoshiX (DeviantArt)

Adopt the giant deep-sea isopod, Bathynomus giganteus, as the National Deep-sea Animal of the United States.

HUGE: First State Outlaws Orca Breeding And Performances

Why Do Whales Sing?

Narwhals can 'see' unlike any other animal on Earth

Narwhal echolocation beams may be the most directional of any species

RUSSIAN AQUARIUM IS A DEATH CAMP FOR MARINE MAMMALS

Whales in Mourning

Why the death of coral reefs could be devastating for millions of humans

A Gargantuan Octopus Rendered with Discarded Ballpoint Pens by Ray Cicin

Carnegie Museums plans to open its collection of preserved species

Even physicists are 'afraid' of mathematics

THE MOON IS NOT MAKING PEOPLE ACT WEIRD

The flea invasion that never happened

Predatory Bacteria Can Cannibalize Drug-Resistant Bugs

NASA has just released 2,540 gorgeous new photos of Mars

NASA: World's Largest Space Telescope Ready for Launch --"Can See a Bumblebee on the Moon"

100,000 - Stars An interactive 3D visualization of the stellar neighborhood, including over 100,000 nearby stars.

Hard work, little reward: Nature readers reveal working hours and research challenges

Donald Trump's US election win stuns scientists

They may not like it, but scientists must work with Donald Trump

What President Trump Means for NASA

Remains of Shackled Man Found in Etruscan Tomb

The Viking who colonised Vinland then battled over the Canadian coastline

Titanic Never Sank – says a conspiracy theorist, the sinking was staged by the ‘White Star’

Kong: Skull Island unleashes exclusive first look at the movie monster

New Skull Island Teaser Surfaces

Rare human-size Godzilla figure will tower over your life

“Star Trek Beyond”: 10 Questions Every Fan is Asking

Museums and Other Science-themed Attractions in Utah and the Salt Lake City area

As most (if not all) of my readers know, next week is the upcoming 2016 Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, and to my sweet, unending joy, it's being held in my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah.  (I was born and raised in California, but currently live in Utah, where there are far more dinosaurs.)

While we at the The Natural History Museum of Utah are ready for the grand visit of the world's paleontologists, I personally have been thinking about local sites that may be of interest to visiting paleontologists and other science professionals and enthusiasts.  On a larger scale, I've also been thinking for a while now about Salt Lake County/Utah as a whole when it comes to science-themed attractions: multiple museums, a zoo, an aquarium (soon to be two), an aviary, a planetarium, a botanical garden, beautiful mountains and wildlife, a salt lake (big surprise), and so much more.  (On a personal note, if the author ever goes missing, this compilation may also function as a "places to search" list.)

I've been wanting to create a rundown/list of local places that I, and others like me, enjoy, to help visitors find things to see, and to help locals discover new things to enjoy in their home state.  So, it seemed to me that a horde of visiting science enthusiasts coming all at once would be a good reason to compile my list!

I am quite sure this is probably incomplete, and if anyone knows of something I do not and therefore missed, please mention it in the comments.  I don't intend to do total reviews or anything, but I'll give a few comments here and there as I see fit.  I have visited most of these sites, but have not yet been able to visit all of them (like the time I tried to visit the BYU Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum only to find it closed for renovations).


My personal favorite sites in Salt Lake County:

The Natural History Museum of Utah
I must be honest, as a volunteer of this truly wonderful institution, I may appear to be biased (here's a hint: everyone is), but to be entirely truthful, I become a volunteer because of my high regard for the NHMU, not vice-versa.  One of the most beautiful buildings you will ever see (inside as well as out), this treasure trove of natural history takes a localized approach to things, spans five floors, contains a beautiful Past Worlds (paleontology) gallery as well as galleries on life, geology, archaeology and anthropology, the Great Salt Lake, and a separate exhibit hall for travelling/special exhibits (currently, we have the AMNH's "The Power of Poison"), and is also the state repository for Utah fossils (that's where I come in: in the paleontology laboratory, paleontology collections, and when I can, excavation and prospecting for fossils in the field as well).  Also make sure to check out the lovely hiking trails nearby.  Most SVP attendees are already aware of this fine institution and will likely make it here if nowhere else, so I don't have to do much convincing, but to anyone else reading, it's a true gem and well worth a full day's time.  While you're there, do make sure to check out the windowed paleontology laboratory and the windowed paleontology collections, where you might spy yours truly hard at work.  The museum is associated with the University of Utah.

Hogle Zoo
While yet another zoo may not interest many (and depending on the zoo you have back home for visiting out-of-towners), for locals such as myself, the Hogle Zoo is a cherished place to see a wide array of animals.  Updates in recent years have been quite excellent, and at this point the zoo boasts animal habitats from Africa, Asia, the Arctic, and a favorite of mine is the small animal building (filled with birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and more).  I do miss their batcave, even though I had to stoop just to enter.  Their yearly wildlife art show is well worth seeing, as well.

Tracy Aviary
As a lover of birds (I mean, come on, isn't it obvious?  Dinosaurs!), one of my favorite places in the entire state is Tracy Aviary.  Nestled within the enormous Liberty Park (where the author may or may not have been sighted LARPing on multiple occasions), this lovely aviary is home to many different species of birds, and it's a joy to have an aviary in Salt Lake City, and it makes me feel spoiled since many cities have no aviaries at all.  Well worth your time to check out!

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Let's face it: being born and raised in California, I deeply love aquariums, and I've seen a lot of them.  Second to natural history museums, they're probably my favorite kind of science site.  The wondrous array of amazing animals, the blue colors of the water, the slow, steady swimming motions of the animals, the often delightful, mood-setting music...all a truly otherworldly delight to me.  To outside visitors, if you have an aquarium or aquarium(s) back home, this may not be at the top of your list to visit.  But, for me, as a local, I am truly beyond happy just to have an aquarium in the middle of what is largely a desert state.  Not only that, the Living Planet Aquarium opened its own building for the first time in 2014 and is now known as the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.  It's a truly beautiful place to visit, a massive improvement, and is a favorite study spot for me as well as an exciting place to see some of my favorite animals.  Life-size models of a whale shark, humpback whale mother and calf, a giant squid, manta rays, and exhibits featuring live penguins, deep-sea animals, sharks and many other marine creatures, and an Asian, Amazonian and Utah exhibit can all be found within the its walls.  (Disclosure: during the process of writing [literally after writing the above], the author accepted an offer from the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium for a volunteer position, so now I maintain two volunteer positions, the other being the aforementioned NHMU paleontology position.)

Red Butte Garden
Located directly next to the Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden is, in my honest opinion, one of Utah's true gems.  This botanical garden is very well maintained and is a botanist's dream, as well as the perfect place to go to unwind or reconnect with nature.  The grounds are breathtakingly beautiful, and with so many different spots to visit,  one can easily spend a day there.  My favorites are the water garden and the oak tunnel, the latter being something that cannot be missed, others may prefer the rose garden, the herb garden, the children's garden, the giant lizard statues, the waterfall, or any of the many other wonderful places found within the garden's boundaries.  It's a favorite spot of mine to spend time with friends, to go birding or naturalizing, to stroll about, or to calm my civilization-frayed self.  Also of note are the many different events the garden holds (including an amphitheatre where concerts are held), my personal favorite being their Bonsai show.  Truly, Red Butte Garden cannot be missed.  The garden is also associated with the University of Utah.

Clark Planetarium
The Clark Planetarium is another favorite Salt Lake City spot of mine.  I never had a planetarium back home in California, so I've indulged my astronomical interests countless times at the wonderful Clark Planetarium while living here.  I'm told by a small handful of those who have resided in Utah longer than I have that the former precursor Hayden Planetarium was superior, but this I cannot personally verify.  As it stands, the Clark Planetarium is a wonderful place, filled with exhibits on space exploration, the planets, physics, and more, and is highly recommended, especially for stargazers or astronomy buffs.  A highlight of the planetarium is the Hansen Dome Theater: no, not they're fine 3D theater featuring documentaries and other films, I mean their dome theater, where they often hold lectures and (my personal favorite) an excellent monthly star show.  This, in and of itself, is alone worth a visit (normal cost is $2.00 per person).  The Planetarium is currently undergoing massive renovations and is closed.  It reopens tomorrow, 10/21/2016, with its grand reopening falling on Saturday, 10/22/2016.  Exhibit-wise, I am unsure what remains and what has been removed, so we shall see.  I kind of hope they'll keep their photo dioramas though (where you can take a photo of yourself with the appearance of being on either Mars or the moon).  I do have enough faith in the Clark Planetarium to be very, very excited at what might be in store.

Edit 10/22/2016: Just visited today for their grand opening, and I am well pleased.  While the Mars/Moon photo op spots have been changed to Jupiter's moon Io, I am okay with this (especially if it can teach people something they don't know).  Other favorites also remain: the Foucault pendulum, the giant rotating Earth model, the ceiling planet models, the ISS model, etc.  Also, the new additions are interesting (the added gravity/orbit floor display was especially clever), and the carpet update is definitely appreciated (far less...how do we say this, childish?).  They weren't done renovating in the spot that appeared to be where the meteorites are going to be placed, and as long as those are put back on display (again, appears they will be), I am perfectly happy.  Check it out, people! 


Other Utah sites:

Museum of Ancient Life - Thanksgiving Point
Just south of Salt Lake County, this museum isn't a research institution, but with all its dozens of skeletal mounts and fossil casts, it's well worth a visit.  If you like dinosaurs or other prehistoric animals, this is a must-see (second of course to the NHMU).  Also of note, their formerly always-empty paleontology laboratory is now the only place you can see the famous Utahraptor quicksand block fossil being prepped (which is alone worth the visit).  It may not be much when compared to many of America's natural history museums, but it's still worth checking out if you get the opportunity to do so.  (Also, see Cabela's, below).

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
This world-famous site houses a visitor center/museum and nearby dinosaur fossils are still being excavated (yes, you can watch this).  It's a must-see for dinosaur enthusiasts, especially those interested in predator traps (such as the author, thanks to his time working at the George C. Page Museum in the Rancholabrea tar pits) or Jurassic dinosaurian fauna.

Dinosaur National Monument
Not much to be said about this world-famous site other than it's a true must-see!

USU Prehistoric Museum

BYU Museum of Paleontology
A small building located on the Brigham Young University "Cougar" aka Lavell Edwards Football Stadium parking lot, this museum is largely comprised of fossils collected by the late paleontologist Dr. Jim Jensen, and is worth a visit for that reason alone.  It contains some excellent fossils, but leaves more than a little to be desired in terms of presentation.

BYU Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

BYU Museum of Peoples and Cultures

Paleo Safari Moab Giants Tracks Museum and Dinosaur Trail

The Leonardo
This more recent museum has had difficulty finding their own theme: a combination of art and science, it has improved, but still needs a lot of work.  I only go when they have travelling exhibits, such as their current Flight exhibit (which is good).  In recent years they've also had a few exhibits on mummies, Body Worlds (and the wonderful animal equivalent), and more.

Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
To a true paleontology aficionado, I must admit that this park will leave you wanting, and may bring you frustration.  The park is a collection of alleged life-sized outdoor dinosaur statues, and while the idea is something I love, so many of the animals (mostly dinosaurs, but some other prehistoric animals are found) range from moderately to extremely inaccurate that it's a true disappointment and feels largely geared towards children.  A few of the dinosaurs are really good, though (such as Baryonyx or Utahraptor), but if you go, the best part of your visit will be the small museum, which includes a few skeletal mounts and other fossils and minerals, as well as a Jurassic Park style "electric" fence containing an animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex vs. a Triceratops adult and juvenile.  The small paleontology laboratory there is staffed by NHMU paleontology volunteers.

Ashton Gardens - Thanksgiving Point

Seaquest Interactive Aquarium
This aquarium will be in Layton, and is said to open sometime this Fall.

Willow Park Zoo

Fort Douglas Military Museum

Hill Aerospace Museum

Big Water Visitor Center: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Small, so perhaps only worth checking out if you're nearby, but with some great dinosaur-themed items on display, including a beautiful mural.  The gift shop is also excellent.


Utah geographical sites:

The Great Salt Lake

Antelope Island State Park

Canyon Country Paleontology

Wasatch Hiker
Many wonderful trails in the beautiful Wasatch mountains are perfect for hikers or naturalists.  In my opinion, an at least brief visit to the mountains is an absolute must when visiting Utah.  Even a brief drive through Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons (see below) would at least be something.  (In the author's humble opinion, if you must choose, go for Big Cottonwood Canyon, unless you're interest is skiing.)

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Uinta Mountains
The Uintas are farther from Salt Lake, but still well worth the visit if you can make it.  Plan to spend a full day if you're driving through, far more if you choose to hike the many trails or do some naturalizing.  Breathtaking, and rather unique (for example, the range is the highest in the continental United States of America that runs east-west).

Utah National Parks

Utah State Parks


Stores:
(Note: most of the above contain excellent gift shops, my personal favorites being NHMU, Red Butte, Museum of Ancient Life, and Clark Planetarium.  The NHMU Cafe is also delicious.)

Natur
This small shop in the city of Midvale, Salt Lake County, is a personal favorite.  Filled with natural history items, from mounted insects and invertebrates, fossils, and gems, to extant-species bones, wet specimens, and other glorious oddities for the naturalist, this store is one of the greatest you can find in the entire state.  And if you commission a certain piece, you won't be disappointed (I have done so twice).  The owner, Jean-Michel Arrigona, is also one of the nicest people I have ever met.  Go there (or order online).  Buy things.  Tell him Spencer Bronte sent you.

Cabela's - Lehi, UT
Why would I mention an outdoor retail outfitter?  For one reason, and one reason only (aside from it being a good place to get birdwatching gear or camping gear for all those paleontology digs): Cabela's has a museum-quality collection of taxidermied animals, and a small freshwater fish aquarium.  In the center of the store is a "mountain" with North American mammals, and another separate room is devoted to even more North American mammals.  A small display of African mammals can also be found, and a small yet delightful freshwater aquarium is also present.  Near the mountain, kids and others interested (read: yours truly) will enjoy being able to feed fishes with a .25c/quarter vending machine, the only part of the experience that costs anything, as all of these exhibits are free to the public, no charge needed (although I am sure they would prefer you purchase something!).  Also, it's across the freeway from the Museum of Ancient Life (see above), so you can knock both of them out in one trip as well as fill your belly with an elk or bison burger.  Yum.

Eborn Books
Be fooled not, ye readers and bookish persons, by the LDS content on their webpage; while this bookstore does have a very large LDS section (it is Utah, after all), the store itself is massive and has just about every subject you can think of.  As a reader of nonfiction (mostly science and history) and some occasional fiction (usually sci-fi), this bookstore is a place I can often be found.  Their science section and their nature section both are pretty good, their history section is exhaustive, and everything else is impressive, too.  Even the simple experience of exploring the bookstore can be a fun time; it is so large you can literally get lost inside.  My favorite is the basement side-room where they keep their National Geographics.  I remember the first time I went down there, looking for a Dian Fossey issue...without the lights on, it was literally pitch black.  You could not see the hand in front of your face.  That's how massive this bookstore is.  I highly recommend a visit, but I do forewarn you, I personally cleaned out their paleontology section, and continually check their other science sections as well, so you may have to compete with me....

Weller Book Works
Similar to the above, but a little bit smaller, this bookstore is charming, warm, and inviting inside, and is well worth the visit for book lovers.  I personally enjoy their science and history sections (Don't miss the second floor!  Found a rare dinosaur paleontology book there once.), and especially appreciate their multi-book discount.  If you can, do check it out!

The King's English Bookshop
As above, another local independent bookshop.  I admit I have yet to have the chance to visit this one, but I hear good things about it.


That's just a basic list of what Spencer thinks a science and nature enthusiast would enjoy about Utah.  This list is in no way meant to be exhaustive, but it's at least a starting point.

Know of something you think should be on the list?  Comment below!


Spencer Bronte / Science, to a Student


P.S. Of course, due to topic relevance I've chosen not to list the many wonderful restaurants in Salt Lake's burgeoning foodie scene, some of the excellent local bars and pubs, the twice-annual Salt Lake Comic Con, the Lego Store at Fashion Place Mall, or Abravanel Hall (where the excellent Utah Symphony plays), the art museums, or even the world-class Cedar City Shakespeare Festival.  If interested in any of the above to help plan for your visit, please comment below and I'd be happy to try to help.

Sci-Bits #6

The Brazilian Titan

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PTEROSAURS.

Triassic "three-eyed" reptile discovered in Texas

Half of world's sea turtles have eaten plastic, study says

Scientists Solve The Mystery Of Why These Yellow Woodpeckers Got Red Wings

Chinese Company Seeks to Capture Orcas and Hundreds of Marine Mammals in Namibia

The history of “scientist”

THE PHYSICS OF LIGHTSABERS

UNDERSTANDING PRESSURE

Scientists claim to have discover what existed BEFORE the beginning of the universe

Ready Set Relaunch Party - Clark Planetarium

Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium unveils a hands-on makeover

Free Science: NASA Just Opened Its Entire Research Library to the Public

The sun is disappearing, and you have only 10 months to prepare

After 20 Years The First Photo From Jason Statham's 'Meg' Is Here

This 2000-year-old helmet was dredged from the bed of the River Thames close to Waterloo Bridge & one of only three Iron Age helmets found in England.

1066: Battle of Hastings anniversary marked 950 years on

As you may have seen, occasionally you might find some archaeology/history links, as well.

Sci-Bits #5

Did Plant-Eating Dinosaurs Really Only Eat Plants?

Oldest fossil of bird's voicebox gives new hint at soundscape of the Cretaceous

Dinosaurs did not twitter like birds... but they may have honked, say scientists

Exposed teeth in dinosaurs, sabre-tooths and everything else: thoughts for artists

Lythronax (CollectA) - Dinosaur Toy Blog (Discovered by my home museum, the Natural History Museum of Utah, and the only museum with this skeleton, I'm excited to see him in plastic form!)

Kosmoceratops (Age of the Dinosaurs by PNSO) - Dinosaur Toy Blog (Also discovered by my home museum, the Natural History Museum of Utah, I get to say hi to the holotype every weekend, same as above.  It never gets old!)

Milk Carton Woolly Mammoth - Everything Dinosaur

Two New Species of British Ichthyosaur Swim into View

Meet the Ancient Reptile that Gave Rise to Mammals

The Loneliness of Isauria. - Luis V. Rey Blog

Splitting Lumps - Dinosaur of the Week

Italian Style English Dinosaurs - Dinosaur of the Week

Proceratosaurus at the Museum - Dinosaur of the Week

How Scientists Can Engage the Public without Risking Their Careers

No, NASA Didn’t Change Your Astrological Sign

The Extraordinary Details of Tiny Creatures Captured with a Laser-Scanning Microscope by Igor Siwanowicz

How Octopuses and Squids Change Color

Chimps May Be Capable of Comprehending the Minds of Others

New Zealand Harvestmen: Please Help

Condor chick is the first raised in the wild in a century

Xavi Bou's photographs reveal flight paths of birds – in pictures (Will this finally put the whole "flying rod" balderdash to sleep?  Wishful thinking, I'll wager.)

Silkworms Spin Super-Silk after Eating Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

Autophagy, Illustrated

Would You Vote for Someone Who Thinks the Earth Is Flat?

Barack Obama: America will take the giant leap to Mars

Will Elon Musk Scuttle the Search for Life on Mars?

Depressed? Do What You Love

EXCLUSIVE: Yoda Solo Star Wars Comic & Movie Confirmed + Origins Backstory.

The Jewish Ritual That Led Nimoy to Create the Vulcan Salute

Shin Godzilla Reminds America That Japan Is Still Better At This

Godzilla anime film roars on to our screens in 2017

Also, I recently discovered Phil Plait has a wonderful rundown of astrology as well as the claimed Apollo moon "hoax," they're excellent, I highly recommend you check them out!

Sci-Bits #4

Time for some more science news!

Allosaurus Died From Stegosaur Spike to the Crotch, Wyoming Fossil Shows

Vivaron haydeni, the Triassic Ghost Ranch predator

New Dinosaur Named for Ability to Evade Predators

The Natural History Museum And Google Just Released 300,000 Digital Specimens Online

A massive wall at Cal Orcko in southern Bolivia reveals more than 5,000 dinosaur footsteps

Hippo Teeth Reveal Africa's Changing Plant Life

Shark leaps out of water near surfers

Rare frog goes extinct, despite Atlanta’s rescue efforts

Photographer Nicky Bay Documents Mirror Spiders Adjusting their Silver Plates to Appear More Reflective

Pangolin, The 'Artichoke With Legs,' Earns Top Trade Protection

It’s Official: We’re Going to Mars

NASA to Hold Media Call on Evidence of Surprising Activity on Europa

Breakthrough Quantum Cat Experiment Captured on Camera

Mongol ship sent by Genghis Khan’s grandson to invade Japan before it was destroyed by ‘kamikaze’ typhoon is discovered underwater after 700 YEARS

Statistics Show Firefly is the Most Beloved Short-Lived Series

"Darmok" Turns 25 Today

SDCC 2016: There's More Star Trek Coming to TV Than You Think


Oh, and you might notice some science fiction stories.  Take this as the official word from the author: you're going to start seeing more sci-fi-related material here, because that shiny frakking stuff makes you live long and prosper and those are the stories we're looking for!

Sci-Bits #3

Hello, everyone!

Hopefully not everyone left in my absence!  I sincerely apologize for being away, but I have been extremely busy.  I know that a lot of these are going to be somewhat outdated, but I couldn't bring myself to delete the articles, links and news reports I had found, so here is a Sci-Bits running from January to now (or at least, ones I have located within that timeframe).  That should put me back on schedule!

This is the amazing design for NASA’s Star Trek-style space ship, the IXS Enterprise

Chemistry supports the identification of gender-specific reproductive tissue in Tyrannosaurus rex

Pregnant T. Rex Fossil Found With Possible DNA

One of Britain’s Largest Ichthyosaurs Goes on Display

Stegosaurus bite strength revealed

Digging Up Our Prehistoric Past: New Horned Dinosaur Discovered In Southern Utah

Inside a Paleontologist's Field Kit

Power Tools of the Trade: Paleontology

Monster Mystery Solved

Girls Dig Dinosaurs: Why Women are the Future of Palaeontology

PHOTOS: Triceratops Battle Scars Found on Skull

The odd little reptiles of the Triassic forests: Longisquama

Fossil Hotbed Reveals New, Scary Flying Reptile

Saga of the Spinosaurus: A Dinosaur-Sized Mystery

The horniest dinosaurs were the sexiest, scientists claim

Giant Siberian unicorn may have existed at the same time as humans, fossil find hints

New Species Of Extinct Reptile Found In Arizona’s Petrified Forest

How Mark Norell, a Paleontologist, Spends His Sundays

Mary Anning (1799-1847): The Princess of Paleontology

How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?

Mysterious Jurassic sea monster unveiled

The Dinosaurs of Crystal Palace: Among the Most Accurate Renditions of Prehistoric Life Ever Made, by Darren Naish

Ice Age Death Trap Yields an Unexpected Carnivore, by Brian Switek

North American Mammoths May Have Been a Single Species, by Brian Switek

Armored dinosaur was a fish-eating turtle-mimic

Bird wings trapped in amber are a fossil first from the age of dinosaurs

Newly discovered flesh eating dinosaur roamed Earth 95 million years ago and was size of double decker bus

Killer Bite of the Otter Bear

Late Triassic too hot for dinosaurs

New Bird Lineage From Early Cretaceous Period

Bizarre, Giant Birds Once Ruled the Skies

T. rex's Oddball Vegetarian Cousin Discovered

Ask Fuzzy: Fossils leave death clues

How to raise a dinosaur? Tiny fossil may tell us

Early armored dino from Texas lacked cousin’s club-tail weapon, but had a nose for danger

A New Brazilian Titanosaur (Most Likely)

Famous paleontologist retires after 34 years

Famed paleontologist Horner says he was pushed out of museum, Krauss questions leadership

If Dung Beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) Arose in Association with Dinosaurs, Did They Also Suffer a Mass Co-Extinction at the K-Pg Boundary?

Women in Paleontology: A Celebration of Female Field Scientists

Vintage Dinosaur Art: Predatory Dinosaurs of the World - Part 1

A new face for Dorudon – archeocetes with stubbly beards

A large-clawed theropod (Dinosauria: Tetanurae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Australia and the Gondwanan origin of megaraptorid theropods

Scientists Recover an Abundance of Fossils and Geologic Data from Antarctica

Off to the Field!

Ancient Egyptians Collected Fossils, by Adrienne Mayor

The First Image Ever of a Hydrogen Atom's Orbital Structure

Juno Images Provide an Unprecedented View of Jupiter

Philae Found!

Jupiter, the (Surprising and Weird) King of the Planets, by Phil Plait

Newly discovered microbe does something textbooks say is impossible: it lives without mitochondria
80 Percent of Young Environmental Scientists Could Use More Natural History Training

What is the Highest Place on Earth?

Ming The Clam Was The World's Oldest Animal

A Single Drop of Seawater, Magnified 25 Times

Scientists Discover 'Remarkable Little Octopod,' Possibly New Species

How to Raise a Genius: Lessons from a 45-Year Study of Supersmart Children

South Koreans kick off efforts to clone extinct Siberian cave lions

Alien Interpreters: How Linguists Would Talk to Extraterrestrials

Transparent Aluminum Now A Reality

What’s It Like to Get a Ph.D. in Science?

Zoologists hunting Tasmanian tiger declare 'no doubt' species still alive

Male Gorillas Often Sing, Hum While Eating 

"Living dinosaur" moth discovered in Australia

A Great White Shark Got Caught Napping on Camera for the First Time Ever

How A Geologist Designed The Perfect App For The Window Seat

Researchers capture and tag rare adult speartooth sharks for first time

Meet The Closest Living Relative To The Extinct Dodo Bird With Incredibly Colorful Iridescent Feathers

Carnegie Museum's new 'Pterosaurs' exhibit wows with size, speed, diversity

How to survive extinction: live fast, die young

Creepy New Fossil Shows the Dawn of Spiders

Researchers Find Erect Daddy Longlegs Penis Preserved in Amber for the First Time Ever

Spinosaurus aegyptiacus All Yestered

Irish scientist's fossil study to reveal colours of dinosaurs

Fossil Friday – sloth ulna

Giant alligator roams golf course in Florida

Coelacanth, the Famous "Living Fossil" Fish, Gets Endangered Species Act Protection

Identification of animals and plants is an essential skill set

Found: A Giant Coral Reef at the Mouth of the Amazon River

First Audio Recordings From the Bottom of the Mariana Trench are Nightmare Fuel

Why These Museum Ads With Will Ferrell Make Me Really, Really Mad

Video! The sea slug that looks and swims like a fish

Japan Kills 200 Pregnant Minke Whales

‘Rollie Pollies’ Remove Heavy Metals From Soil, Stabilize Growing Conditions, & More

Mysterious Chimpanzee Behavior May Be Evidence of "Sacred" Rituals

Researchers Find Fish That Walks the Way Land Vertebrates Do

This Is How Soon You'd Die Around The Solar System

Scientists discover how to 'upload knowledge to your brain'

How Ancient Coral Revealed the Changing Length of a Year

Bringing EM Back

Rare Amber-Entombed Lizards Preserved in Amazing Detail

Funding Freeze Hits Natural History Museum Collections

Japan’s Lost Black Hole Satellite Just Reappeared and Nobody Knows What Happened to It

Where the Whale Things Are

Manta rays are first fish to recognise themselves in a mirror

Why watching comb jellies poop has stunned evolutionary biologists

Our Natural History, Endangered

Scientists gear up to drill into 'ground zero' of the impact that killed the dinosaurs

 Little Critters that tell a BIG Story: Benthic Foraminifera and the Gulf Oil Spill

The White House Wants To Use Science Fiction To Settle The Solar System

Bats Beat Ebola with Hypervigilant Immunity

This Indonesian Volcano Just Erupted Electric Blue Lava!

Man-Made Earthquake Hotspot Revealed: Oklahoma

Divers' unique perspectives on reefs supports science

Scientists want to bring 24 animals back from extinction (Dodos make the list... but dinosaur DNA is so old, Jurassic Park isn't an option)

What Hiking Does To The Brain Is Pretty Amazing

Too much sleep could kill you, claims study

'Suicide by LION': Man strips naked and jumps into a Chilean zoo's enclosure in a bid to feed himself to a big cat - and only survives in a grave condition after two beasts mauling him were SHOT DEAD

Project Broadtail: A Citizen Science Project

Stop ‘Defending’ Music Education

Top 75 Spaceships in movies and TV

Here's to hoping I get around to posting more!