Greetings and welcome to the blog, +/- Science!
‘+/- Science’ (i.e., 'Plus or Minus Science') is intended as a general interest science writing blog, although the content is colored by my own scientific interests—particularly geoscience, chemistry, biochemistry and the like—and it may occasionally include posts that do not have an obvious connection to science. (Although, in my opinion, connections to science, or at least the scientific method, can be found almost everywhere.)
Much of the beauty and (ahem) awesomeness of science lies in the satisfaction that comes from discovering the natural world for oneself. The goal of this blog is to add another voice—hopefully a clear, knowledgeable and interesting voice—to the community of individuals and organizations whose aim is to excite public interest in and improve understanding of all things science.
I settled on the name ‘+/- Science’ for two main reasons. First, it is an invitation to imagine how scientific research and discovery impacts our lives on a daily basis, and conversely, where we are headed if we minimize or neglect it. Second, it is an acknowledgement that uncertainty, or error, is indisputably and unavoidably a part of the scientific process. This error should neither be ignored nor exaggerated in the name of advancing agendas. Rather, it should be soundly weighed when making judgments based on the preponderance of scientific evidence available.
I hope you enjoy ‘+/- Science.’ Please feel free to comment and make suggestions if you’re so inclined, and, of course, tweet, post, email, and link any posts to your heart’s content. Participation is key.
Fun Facts about +/- Science:
Author: Tim Oleson
First Post: Allow myself to introduce...myself (19 January 2011)
Highest Rated Post (on the Awesomeness meter that is): Good news for Webb Space Telescope; Bad news for other scientists? (21 September 2011)
Most Commented On: An Abbreviated Numerical History of the Great New Madrid Earthquakes (6 February 2011)
Number of Times I've Used an Ellipsis in a Post Heading: 8 (and counting...)
Wallpaper: Sandstone cliff face in Canyon de Chelly National Park, northeastern Arizona
