This week in science: 11/17 - 11/23

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November 17, 3:25 PM

by Christopher Langton, S.F. Science Examiner

 

That appears to be it for the rest of the week. If I've missed something, send me a note at: science.examiner@gmail.com.

Headlines first, followed by the details.

Monday, November 17th, 2008 7-9 PM
Physics for Future Presidents: The Nuclear Reaction
Richard Muller, UC Berkeley and LBL
Down to a Science
Atlas Cafe

Monday, November 17th, 7PM
Synthetic Biology Debate
Drew Endy vs. Jim Thomas
The Long Now Foundation
The Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center,
Pier 2 San Francisco (directions)

 Details (text from source)

Monday, November 17th, 2008 7-9 PM
Physics for Future Presidents: The Nuclear Reaction
Richard Muller, UC Berkeley and LBL
Down to a Science
Atlas Cafe

As we head into a new presidency, much of the debate has been centered on one word: Nuclear. Nuclear terrorism, nuclear power, nuclear proliferation, the mispronunciation of the word nuclear...all have been fervently discussed. But When it comes to the nuclear discussion, isn't the science a key component?

We'll discuss the difference between a Uranium bomb, a Plutonium bomb, and a Hydrogen bomb, the real dangers of nuclear waste, and the danger of radiation. Consider it a crash course on nuclear physics that the next president would appreciate.

Here are some nuggets to chew on:

• Of those killed in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks, less than 2% died of cancer induced by the radiation.

• 1 square mile of sunlight with current solar cells would provide as much peak power as a nuclear power plant.

• Plutonium is a thousand times less poisonous than botulism toxin, the active ingredient in botox.

• Purified uranium is hard to get, but easy to design into a bomb. Plutonium is relatively easy to get, but hard to make into a bomb. So different kinds of nuclear bombs are difficult to make, but for different reasons. Terrorists are unlikely to be able to make one; the bigger danger is that they could buy one.

Richard A. Muller is professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley (and my former physics teacher!). He is a past winner of the MacArthur Fellowship. He is the author of Physics for Future Presidents, based on his renowned course for non-science students.

Monday, November 17th, 7PM
Synthetic Biology Debate
Drew Endy vs. Jim Thomas
The Long Now Foundation
The Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center,
Pier 2 San Francisco (directions)

Synthetic biology will be one of the driving technological forces of this century.  By transforming the complexity and diversity of life into a technology malleable by man, it simultaneously offers some of science's highest hopes and gravest threats.  Like splitting the atom, synthetic biology holds a great wealth of power that must be wielded with care.

Drew Endy is a leading synthetic biologist while Jim Thomas is one of the field's leading critics.  Moderated by Stewart Brand, they will meet to discuss how the emerging and potentially revolutionary capabilities of synthetic biology can be utilized safely, equitably and openly.

The point of Long Now debates is not win-lose. The point is public clarity and deep understanding, leading to action graced with nuance and built-in adaptivity, with long-term responsibility in mind.  Please join us in this pursuit.

The Seminars About Long-term Thinking were started in 02003 to build a coherent, compelling body of ideas about long-term thinking, to help nudge civilization toward Long Now's goal of making long-term thinking automatic and common instead of difficult and rare.

Doors open 7:00pm, talk at 7:30pm lasting ~1.5 hours

$10 suggested donation

We recommend you arrive early; priority seating is available for Members of Long Now.

There will be a reception at The Long Now Museum & Store following the Seminar.


For more information contact:
Danielle Engelman
Community Development Director
danielle@longnow.org
415.561.6582 x1
 

Have an event you want listed here? Send an email to: science.examiner@gmail.com
 

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