Your Senses - What Life is Like Without Sight

 An interesting perspective about life in our cities from an architect who lost his sight after surgery.
This talk highlights the interconnectedness of our senses.  Check out:Life without Sight

Ethics and Integrity in Publication

Last week in COMM79 we discussed how a student in Ireland used Wikipedia to trick journalists who work for internationally respected newspapers. We then considered how the rapid transmission of information puts pressure on media outlets and discussed examples of recent retractions of news stories.

 

Though errors and retractions in daily newspapers happen on a regular basis, you might be surprised to learn that retractions of scientific research articles in peer reviewed journals are also quite common. Retraction Watch is a popular blog created by two American medical reporters who track the retraction of scientific papers. Many of the featured retractions happen to be in the life sciences. Though the content of research publications is supposed to be subject to a high level of quality control, Retraction Watch notes the considerable number of errors, misstatements and instances of plagiarism that still sneak through.

 

This week we considered Chris Spence’s resignation from his position as the Director of the Toronto District School Board after clear evidence of Spence’s widespread plagiarism was brought to light. During class discussion, we speculated as to what ramifications the charges of plagiarism might have for Spence’s PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at U of T. As Kristin Rushowy reports in a recent follow-up article in the Toronto Star, there is significant evidence that Spence plagiarized in his PhD dissertation and charges are currently under investigation by the University of Toronto. Rushowy states that Spence could lose his degree if found guilty.

 Devon

When Science and Art Meet

A fascinating look at how science and art can be combined to excite both the senses and the mind. See some incredible photographs of sound, hydrophobic fluid and combustion!

                           

* But where are his lab coat and safety glasses???

Assisted Suicide - A Controversial Issue

Last year an ALS patient from British Columbia challenged the laws against assisted suicide.  Find out about recent developments surrounding this controversial issue here:  Assisted Suicide Ban

Food For Thought

Question:  Besides being big sports stars, what do LeBron Jame, Peyton Manning, Serena Williams and Sidney Crosby all have in common?

Answer:  They are all featured in product endorsements for foods and drinks of questionable nutritional value.

Are these stars sending mixed messages to our kids?  Check out this link  Junk Food Ads .  It's "food for thought".

Want to Have a Better Memory??

In this TED talk Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do  Science writer Josh Foer describes the secret to astounding feats of memorization and tells the story of how he accidentally won the US memory championship. 

You will be able to relate elements of this talk to your discussions of memory in psychology!

You might find this approach to improving memory useful as you study for upcoming quizzes and tests!

(You can thank Devon)

Is Sasquatch a Human Hybrid???

Have researchers actually proven that Bigfoot exists?
Check out this link  Is Bigfoot Real?  - have your critical thinking skills ready!