#scio13

Breaking Bio Episode 17

In this episode, Morgan, Rafael and I talk about the reasons we move where we do, why you don't want a blood transfusion in Akron, and Morgan reports on Science Online (#scio13).

Duration: 29:50

ScioMusicVideo2013

Just a quick and silly reminder that scientists can be fun, in the form of a music video put together by all the science writers and communicators who I hung out with at ScienceOnline back in January. During the three day conference, Carin Bondar was walking around and having people dance out this bit and that . . . and this is what came out the other side.

Yep . . . a Gangnam Style remix featuring some of the best bloggers and science folks on the internet. You've been warned.

I think you'll be able to pick me out pretty easily. I'm the one doing pelvic thrusts in the elevator. You've been warned :) This science guy gets dooooown.

Man, I hope that scene never becomes a GIF . . . The GIF has been made. Thank you, internet. I think.

An interesting discussion is shaping up about this year's ScienceOnline.  I've been to two SciO's now, and I find that ScienceOnline has several different kinds of sessions.

Some of the sessions teach me how to do new stuff, and I learn how to be a better writer.  These are best described as a very open lecture; lots of back and forth between the experts and the audience. 

Some of the sessions are group therapy.  That is an important function of bringing a really diverse (geographically) group together to see that we all have stuff we struggle with. 

Some of the sessions are a brainstorming free-for all, with moderators basically guiding the discussion (which is Karen's preferred model.)

I think ALL of these are important, and what we really need is a clearer distinction of what we are going to get in each session, not a mandate for one official style.

There are lots of concurrent sessions--I was constantly frustrated that I couldn't go to everything. So, I don't really see what the problem is if different sessions are...you know. Different.

Why do we go to SciO? To learn, sure, but also to talk and to re-connect with friends that we may only see once a year. Or once every other year. Or never in meatspace.

It's exciting to feel like your brain is going to burst open because it's so full of ideas.  It's terrifying to be in a room with lots of people that are that smart and that talented. Pretty much everything I said about SciO last year is still true.

I am deep in personal drama (still unemployed, etc), so I haven't had the ability to fully process more about SciO other than I am geeked I got to go, happy our session went pretty well, and thrilled that many more insect bloggers joined me this year.

Awesome science people being awesome together! That's me hanging with Huffington Post Science's Cara Santa Maria and SciAm Blogs' Jason Goldman.

Just got back home from brain-melding with these two and a few hundred of the smartest people I've ever met at ScienceOnline 2013. They are the people who bring all the wonderful science to the internet and beyond, in word, sound and video.

I met far too many amazing people to name individually. My brain is full of ideas and inspiration for the new It's Okay To Be Smart YouTube channel from PBS Digital Studios and here on the blog. Thanks to everyone for making our first episode such an amazing success! Have you watched it yet?