This Saturday I’ll be joining fellow Discover bloggers Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum, Discover editor-in-chief Corey Powell, along with luminaires like E.O. Wilson and Lawrence Krauss for “The Two Cultures In the 21st Century,” a daylong meeting at the New York Academy of Sciences (7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St., 40th floor). Chris and Sheril say the meeting is close to sold out, so if you want to join us, please register now.
It’s a weird time to have a meeting about science in the public sphere–a week, for example, in which Jenny McCarthy, doyenne of vaccination misinformation, gets her own Oprah-backed talk show. But I have to say I’ll be in high spirits at the meeting, because this past Saturday I had a great time in New York at an award gala hosted by SUNY Downstate Medical Center. I got to meet fellow award-winners, virologist Anthony Fauci and cardiologist Jeffrey Borer. And I also got to meet some very interesting guests, including some of the actors from the best television show ever made, the Sopranos. I was not going to leave the ballroom without shamelessly begging for photos, but I was startled to find that these guys wanted to take pictures with us. Here’s a shot of Fauci and me with Steven Schirripa, who played Bobbie Baccalieri.
Later in the evening, John Ventimiglia, who was marvelously tragic as Artie Bucco, came up to me and told me how he loves to read about science and asked me (me?) if he could take a picture of us. I suppose I shouldn’t say that it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. But here we are.
And if you two-cultures-mindset is not completely demolished by now, let me show you a picture you may not have ever expected to see: Anthony Fauci mugging with Paulie Walnuts (Tony Sirico) and Johnny Sack (Vince Curatola). Now I can believe anything’s possible.
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada