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Geologists press for recognition of Earth-changing ‘human epoch’

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A decade ago, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Paul Crutzen first suggested we were living in the “Anthropocene,” a new geological epoch in which humans had altered the planet. Now, in an article for Yale Environment 360, Crutzen and a coauthor explain why adopting this term could help transform the perception of our role as stewards of the Earth.

  • You can read that Yale Environment article here (published 24 Jan 2011)

(Oh and lest you wonder, he knows what he is on about. Paul J. Crutzen is an atmospheric chemist who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his research on ozone-depleting chemicals. From 1980 to 2000.)

Anyway, today’s UK Guardian also has an article all about this here. Here are a couple of extracts to tempt you into clicking on over there to read it all …

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An Interview with Julian Assang’s lawyer

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Jack of Kent, the famous legal blogger, had a brief (informal) telephone interview with his friend and fellow libel reform campaigner Mark Stephens as he was in a cab going to Wandsworth Prison to see his client Julian Assange,  then blogged about it all. It makes fasinating reading … here are some extracts … Mark … Read more

Catholics – What happens next?

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So the popes UK visit is done now and he is on his way back home. The Churches PR machine has declared victory and life will go on. But were any of the deep concerns addressed? Tragically no. Yes, he did indeed do the “I’m so terribly and deeply ashamed for the abuse” speech … … Read more

Science Stories in the news this week – 12 Sept

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Here is this weeks collection of science news stories that triggered my “Hey, that’s cool” detector. As always, if I’ve missed anything that is truly cool, then drop a comment and I’ll do an update that includes a hat tip you. In honor of the Pope’s visit to the UK, lets start with this one … Read more

Water on Mars – More evidence

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Click to see a larger image on the Guardian web site … From Today’s Guardian …click here … This image, provided by NASA, shows volcanic cones on Mars that are similar in size and shape to cones found in Iceland where hot lava has run over wet ground. The heat from the lava boils the … Read more

How Religion will rewire your brain

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Lets first of all start with a few words from George Dvorsky’s blog – Sentient Developments, where he wrote this great description of Diane’s TED talk (above)  … In this TED talk from 2009, cognitive deprogrammer Diane Benscoter talks about her efforts to help people leave cults. At the age of 17, Benscoter joined The … Read more