Science writing I’d pay to read – December 2011
It’s time for December’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. There are two ways to help. 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:
- Kevin Zelnio for an imaginative series on evolution’s musical movements: adagio and allegro.
- Vaughan Bell for a beautiful post on the flowering of the unborn brain and how different cultures deal with grief and mourning
- Ilana Yurkiewicz with a thoughtful take on balancing a scientist’s curiosity with a medic’s compassion
- Edward Willett for a lovely, funny science-y take on the famous Christmas poem. “Twas the nocturnal time of the preceding day…”
- Chris Rowan for a beautifully realised post about 10 million feet upon the stair. This was published earlier this year but I only read it recently. It gets into the list because, hey, my list, my rules.
- Jonah Lehrer for a typically excellent piece about how seeing someone’s naked body changes how we think about their mind.
- Heather Pringle for a heartbreaking account of the ecological disaster at the Tambopata gold mine.
- Petra Boynton for challenging a horrible case of medical misconduct and journalistic malpractice.
- Erik Klemetti for a playful, funny post about the correct way to die when you fall into lava.
- Michael Holcombe for a wonderful account of why we can’t focus underwater, from a Christmas argument to the four-eyed fish.
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
- See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the worldSee how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world
Science
- NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. 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
- The benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggiesThe benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggies
- The island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secretThe island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secret
Travel
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains
- This Swedish overnight train takes you straight to the northern lightsThis Swedish overnight train takes you straight to the northern lights