Category Archives: general science

No chatbots please, we’re scientists

This story about backlash to an earth science specific chatbot at EGU seems to detail a lot of insider politicking that seems only obliquely related to the concerns over the use of Large Learning Models for scientific research and writing. … Continue reading

Categories: academic life, general science, geology, publication

Some thoughts on #WomenInScienceDay

Today is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day is designated by the UN because “Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls … Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, general science

Mammals March Madness and slight silliness from your bloggers

It’s time for Mammals March Madness, the tournament in which animals battle for supremacy based on their physiology and behavior, with a little bit of luck thrown in just as you would want in any competition. Note: This is a … Continue reading

Categories: bloggery, fossils, general science

Scenic Saturday: A Special Place and Time

A few weeks ago, on an afternoon in London, I took in the Thames and then headed a few miles down river to Greenwich and the Royal Observatory, a prime attraction for map nerds around the world. Unfortunately, my visit … Continue reading

Categories: by Anne, general science, photos

Drawing sharp boundaries in a fuzzy world

Humans are natural splitters. We have an innate tendency to look at the world and mentally sort everything into different categories, and grades, and entities: this is one thing, that is another; it was this, now it’s that. Our perception … Continue reading

Categories: general science, geology