Science writing I’d pay to read – April 2011
It’s time for April’s Science Writer Tip-Jar picks. For those new to this, here’s the low-down:
Throughout the blogosphere, people produce fantastic writing for free. That’s great, but I believe that good writers should get paid for good work. To set an example, I choose ten pieces every month that were written for free and I donate £3 to the author. There are no formal criteria other than I found them unusually interesting, enjoyable and/or important.
I also encourage readers to support these writers through two buttons on the sidebar. Any donations via “Support Science Writers” are evenly distributed to chosen ten at the end of the month. Donations via the “Support NERS” button go to me; I match a third of the total figure and send that to the chosen writers too.
So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the picks:
- Brian Switek for a wonderful series of posts on primate “grief”, the evolution of mammal ear bones from reptile jaws, the world’s oldest toothache, and why people should stop comparing every dino to T.rex.
- Al Dove for his post on beautifully told account of his own research, involving an amazing mob of 420 feeding whale sharks
- Jennifer Ouellette on the challenge of cryogenics, taking in zombie dogs, antifreeze proteins and, er, Demolition Man.
- Jeremy Yoder on meat-eating geraniums and other sorta-carnivorous plants.
- Craig McClain with a brilliant post drawing parallels between a 1st century Germanic chieftain and a baby coral.
- Christie Wilcox for her thorough critique of a CEO who shot an elephant and bragged about it
- Jonah Lehrer, who made making the psychological case for knowing more about wine
- Jennifer Frazer for a wonderful tribute to the legendary Tom Eisner and a cool tour through the chemical world of insects & plants, featuring bombardier beetles, bolas spiders and more.
- Maryn Mckenna for an eye-opening post on just how hard and expensive it is to stop an outbreak of measles, and the vivid cost of vaccine refusal
- Eric Michael Johnson for his discussion on the allure of gay cavemen and “third gender” people.
And for interest, the tip-jar initiative has raised US$350 over the last two months. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico