butterfly/kb
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull Requests Actions Packages Projects Releases Wiki Activity

Scrape wikipedia-science: 99 new, 1 updated, 101 total (kb-cron)

Browse Source
This commit is contained in:
turtle89431 2026-05-04 19:58:45 -07:00
parent 3aaed4a391
commit b0f0fc0553
15 changed files with 569 additions and 0 deletions
Show Stats Download Patch File Download Diff File Expand all files Collapse all files

BIN
_index.db
View File

Binary file not shown.

64
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Media_Centre-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
---
title: "Science Media Centre"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Media_Centre"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:35.967690+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
The Science Media Centre is a charitable company, first formed in 2002, two years after the United Kingdom House of Lords select committee on Science and Technology's third report on "Science and Society" in 2000.
This report stated that while science was generally reported accurately in the mass media, there was a need for the promotion of more expert information at times when science is under attack in the headlines, mentioning the public reaction to GM crops, in particular.
The Science Media Centre's purpose is to connect journalists with reliable and up-to-date sources of scientific information. It has also been criticised for bias and undeclared conflicts of interest.
== Functions ==
In order to promote more informed science in the media, the centre's main function is as a service to journalists, providing background briefings on current scientific issues and facilitating interviews with scientists. Comments are also sourced from scientists about breaking news stories, to provide an independent expert commentary on the news, so that press releases have some peer review. Independence means from the breaking news story, and scientists commenting are asked to declare any competing interests they have with their comment.
Its director is Fiona Fox who is a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party and a former contributor to its magazine Living Marxism.
== Aims ==
The SMC's stated aim is to "facilitate more scientists to engage with the media, in the hope that the public will have improved access to accurate, evidence-based scientific information about the stories of the day". More baldly, the philosophy is "the media will do science better when scientists do the media better".
== Structure ==
The setting up of the Science Media Centre was assisted by Susan Greenfield, the director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. While the centre was initially based in a specially refurbished wing of the Royal Institution, full independence was claimed from all funders and supporters. The SMC is now hosted by the Wellcome Trust.
The Science Media Centre is funded by over 60 organisations, with individual donations capped at £12,500 per annum. The SMC receives sponsorship from a range of funders including media organisations, universities, scientific and learned societies, the UK Research Councils, government bodies, Quangos, charities, private donors and corporate bodies. For an up-to-date list of funders, see [1].
As well as having a board of trustees, the SMC maintains an advisory board of science and media experts to consult on its strategy.
== Criticism ==
Criticism of the SMC relates to perceptions of independence: in respect of funding sources relating to industry with an interest in some science applications; in respect of scientists promoting specific views in favour of their own research in response to news stories; and, promoting science establishment concerns particularly in respect of funding for science. A 2013 article in Nature stated about the SMC, "Perhaps the biggest criticism of Fox and the SMC is that they push science too aggressively – acting more as a PR agency than as a source of accurate science information." In 2002, the year it was founded, Ronan Bennett and Alan Rusbridger described the SMC as a lobby group.
=== Specific cases ===
In 2023 three out of five scientists on a panel organised by the Science Media Centre which down-played the risks of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) were revealed either to have received financial support for research from UPF manufacturers or to hold key positions with organisations funded by UPF manufacturers. The Science Media Centre informed journalists of declarations of interests provided by the scientists, but this was not mentioned in news coverage. The BMJ reported this disagreement about industry-sponsored scientists further, with the SMC defending their policy of self-declaration of interests and a Times journalist saying it was "adolescent" to expect industry scientists never to comment on their findings, especially if there was generally a view that industry spending on research had economic value.
In 2024 the SMC's role in covering up the PACE trial scandal, one of the most concerning of the controversies related to ME/CFS, has led to them being accused of incompetence, bias, and complicity with government and big business interests, and consequently, amplifying the vilification of patients suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), some of whom died from the therapies the PACE trial culpably advocated as cures for their condition, namely, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and graded exercise therapy (GET).
== Other SMCs ==
During Professor Greenfield's term as Thinker in Residence in South Australia, a new Australian Science Media Centre was set up in Adelaide, Australia in August 2005.
Science media centres exist in other countries such as Japan; except for the relation between the Science Media Centre in UK and the Australian Science Media Centre, these centres are independent of each other.
The Science Media Centre of Canada was founded in 2008.
The New Zealand Science Media Centre was launched on 30 June 2008
The Science Media Center Germany was founded in 2015 with €1.5 million in seed money by Klaus Tschira, founder of the software company SAP SE.
== References ==
== External links ==
Science Media Centre
Australian SMC
Science Media Centre of Canada
Science Media Centre of New Zealand
Profile at SourceWatch
George Monbiot on Science Media Centre
Robin McKie, Lobby group 'led GM thriller critics', The Guardian, 2 June 2002
About the Science Media Centers & the Press, By Fiona Fox and Connie St. Louis 2013
=== Audio clips ===
Leading Edge March 2009
Leading Edge December 2008

24
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Media_Centre_of_Canada-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
---
title: "Science Media Centre of Canada"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Media_Centre_of_Canada"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:37.110811+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
The Science Media Centre of Canada (SMCC) is a non-profit organization that was formally opened on September 27, 2010. It has virtual offices.
The purpose of the Centre is to serve journalists with accurate information on scientific matters. The Centre has a Research Advisory Panel of 20 Canadian scientists who will make their expertise available in a simple and understandable manner. In order to secure objectivity, the Centre has an Editorial Advisory Committee of eight journalists. The Centre is bilingual.
== Goal ==
The ultimate goal of SMCC is an "increased public engagement with science issues through media coverage of science that is more informed, more accurate and more incisive."
== Other SMCs ==
Science Media Centres exist in other countries; UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Japan. The Science Media Centre of Canada is independent with respect to the other centres.
== External links ==
Science Media Centre of Canada

83
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Party_(Australia)-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
---
title: "Science Party (Australia)"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Party_(Australia)"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:41.695139+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
The Science Party, formerly known as Future Party, is an Australian political party that was established on 2 July 2013. The founding leader, James Jansson, was studying for his doctorate at the Kirby Institute during the party's formation, with a focus on advancing Australian society through technical and long-term solutions. On 22 March 2016, the name was changed to The Science Party after registering with the Australian Electoral Commission. The Science Party has run candidates for the 2013, 2016 and 2019 federal elections, as well as several by-elections in between.
The party was de-registered on 12 January 2022 by the Australian Electoral Commission for failing to meet the increased registration requirement of 1,500 members. It later merged with other parties to become the Fusion Party.
== Political philosophy ==
The Science Party believes that technological development is a positive force in human affairs and values the cultural, economic and technological benefits of modernism. It believes in freedom of expression and has a positive view of the power of free markets and the benefits of high density cities. The party seeks to promote high quality science research and education.
=== Policies ===
Science Party policies include the following:
Opposition to unnecessary regulations of new technology
Opposition to government monitoring of data and criminalisation of journalism
Greater transparency and openness in government
Increased science research funding
New charter city including a university
Higher density residential development
High quality internet and internet freedom
Nuclear fusion and fission research
Emissions trading and renewable energy
Greater space research and industry
A higher quality education system
An Australian republic
Democratic reform to both houses of parliament
Simplified tax system
High-speed rail
Rapid approval for driverless cars
== Elections ==
=== Federal elections ===
==== 2013 federal election ====
The Science Party first ran in the 2013 federal election as The Future Party. The party ran two candidates for the senate in NSW, and one in the New South Wales seat of Kingsford Smith and another in the Queensland seat of Moreton The party has been involved in Glenn Druery's Minor Party Alliance, though it refused to engage in any large scale preference deal.
==== 2016 federal election ====
In the 2016 federal election, the Science Party fielded two candidates each for the senate in NSW and Tasmania and one in Victoria. To avoid being placed in the ungrouped column, the Victorian and NSW candidates shared the column with the candidate from the Australian Cyclists Party. Together, they received 0.22% of the vote in Australia; 0.41% in NSW, 0.33% in Victoria, and without a shared column in Tasmania, received 0.39% of the vote.
For the House of Representatives, ten candidates ran in NSW: Berowra (receiving 2.1% of votes), Cunningham (2.6%), Grayndler (1.3%), Greenway (1%), Kingsford Smith (2.2%), North Sydney(1.8%), Sydney (1.6%), Warringah (0.9%), Watson (1.9%) and Wentworth (1.2%).
==== 2019 federal election ====
In 2019, four candidates ran for senate in NSW, receiving 0.4% of the total vote. In the lower house, five candidates from NSW were put forward and the results were: Berowra (1.56% of votes), Grayndler: (2.73%), Kingsford Smith (1.69%), Sydney (3.42%), Watson (2.23%), as well as one from VIC (Mallee, 0.53%) and one from WA (Perth, 1.52%).
=== By-elections ===
2015 By-election: James Jansson ran under the title of The Future Party for North Sydney in NSW.
2017 and 2018 By-elections: The Science Party fielded Meow-Ludo Meow-Meow as a candidate in the 2017 New England by-election in response to the 2017–2018 Australian parliamentary eligibility crisis. He had previously been the Science Party candidate in the Division of Grayndler at the 2016 federal election. After subsequent resignations, the party fielded candidates in by-elections for the seats of Bennelong, Perth, Longman and Wentworth.
2020 By-election: James Jansson ran in Eden-Monaro (NSW) for the 2020 By-election, receiving 1.13% of the vote.
== Electoral results ==
== See also ==
Candidates of the 2013 Australian federal election
Candidates of the 2016 Australian federal election
Candidates of the 2019 Australian federal election
List of political parties in Australia
== References ==
== External links ==
Science Party Website
Science Party YouTube Channel
Science Party Twitter
Science Party Facebook

22
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Theatre_(Michigan_State_University)-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
---
title: "Science Theatre (Michigan State University)"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Theatre_(Michigan_State_University)"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:42.917202+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
Science Theatre is an undergraduate student-run science outreach organization at Michigan State University's East Lansing campus, performing science theatre. Science Theatre visits schools and events throughout Michigan performing interactive science demonstrations for K-12 students on-stage or up-close. Science Theatre performers are undergraduate and graduate student volunteers and all performances are made free of charge.
The group's performances consist of arrangements from its catalog of more than seventy demonstrations in biology, chemistry, and physics. Additionally, Science Theatre performs comprehensive shows in Astronomy, Environmental science, Pressure, the Periodic Table, Quantum Mechanics, and FRIB-related science.
Science Theatre was founded in April 1991 under a grant from the National Science Foundation and received the 1993 AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology. Science Theatre is a four-time winner of the Outreach Award from the Michigan State University Department of Physics and Astronomy.
== References ==
MSU Science Theatre Official Webpage
1993 AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology
2 February 2009 State News coverage
10 March 2009 Fox TV coverage
11 March 2009 Daily Press (Michigan) coverage
10 June 2009 Capital Gains Coverage

51
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Week_Ireland-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
---
title: "Science Week Ireland"
chunk: 1/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Week_Ireland"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:44.051606+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
Science Week Ireland is an annual week-long event in Ireland each November, celebrating science in our everyday lives. Science Week is an initiative of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) It is the largest science festival in the country, engaging tens of thousands of members of the general public in workshops, science shows, talks, laboratory demonstrations, science walks and other science-related events. Science Week is a collaboration of events involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout Ireland.
Science Week supports Science Foundation Ireland’s mission to catalyse, inspire and guide the best in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education and public engagement. The ultimate aim of this effort is that Ireland will have the most engaged and scientifically informed public by 2020 as outlined in Science Foundation Ireland’s strategy Agenda 2020. This also aligns to the national science innovation strategy, Innovation 2020.
== History ==
Over the years, Science Week Ireland has grown from a small pilot initiative to a large promotional and event engine to its current identity as a recognised vehicle for regional activity supported by a national promotional campaign. In 1995, a National Science week was organised by the Royal Dublin Society and a number of other organisations to inform the general public about science. The first Science Week organised by Forfás was held in 1996. If was run by Forfás on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation under the name 'Information Technology and Science Week'. The week aimed to raise general awareness of the benefits of science and information technology to people, young and old throughout society. In 1997 it was renamed Science Week. Professional bodies, voluntary groups, colleges, businesses and the public sector combined to organise 50 events countrywide. Events included conferences, lectures, interactive exhibitions, debates, and competitions for primary school students.
SFI took over Science Week from the Forfás Discover Science and Engineering programme in 2012. Science Week continued to grow and develop over the following years into what it represents today, a week-long celebration of STEM public engagement, enhancing the public’s interest in STEM and enabling them to see the relevance of STEM to their daily lives.
=== 1996 ===
In 1996, Forfás organised the first Information Technology and Science Week beginning on 25 November.
=== 1997 ===
Science week ran between 10 and 16 November, and was again organised by Forfás. It was launched by minister Noel Treacy in Galway. Events included answering scientific questions for school children and a Speakathon organised by the Irish Research Scientists' Association.
=== 1998 ===
Science Week 1998 ran from 1 to 8 November. Events included talks in public libraries and another Speakathon. Forfás sought feedback on the running of Science Week and it was also externally evaluated.
=== 2007 ===
Science Week 2007 took place between 11–18 November and the theme was "Surrounded by Science". The programme of events set out to illustrate that behind the everyday objects in our lives is a great inventor, scientist or engineer. This included a series of lectures which featured Craig Johnston, inventor of the Adidas Predator; Joe F. Edwards, Jr., former NASA astronaut; and Dr. Sheila Willis, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory.
2007 was the eleventh year of Science Week and saw an estimated 95,000 people attend lectures, exhibitions and workshops throughout the country.
=== 2008 ===
The 2008 Science Week took place between 11–16 November. The theme was 'Science – Shaping Our World' which celebrates the International Year of Planet Earth.
The guest lecturers include Professor Aubrey Manning, distinguished zoologist and broadcaster; Gerry Johnston, director of Special Effects Ireland; Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Associate Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stephen Attenborough of Virgin Galactic; and Patrick Collison, Irish Young Scientist of the Year winner 2005. These can be viewed on YouTube.
=== 2009 ===
Science Week 2009 took place between 8–15 November. The theme was 'Science – Inspiring Creativity and Innovation’, which links to the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. In the summer of 2009, DSE launched a Twitter account for the latest news on Science Week. A lecture series included speakers from the Tyndall National Institute, Cork and Sustainable Energy Ireland. These can be viewed on YouTube.
=== 2010 ===
Science Week 2010 ran from 7–14 November. Its theme was ‘Our Place in Space’, which explored the latest happenings in astronomy, Ireland’s role in the space industry, and the vital role played by science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in helping us to make sense of our universe.
=== 2011 ===
Science Week 2011 ran from 13–20 November. The theme was 'The Chemistry of Life', demonstrating the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives – from the atoms that are the building blocks of nature to the chemistry that creates lasting bonds between people.
=== 2012 ===
Science Week 2012 ran from 11–18 November. The theme was ‘Everyday Experimenting’, highlighting how we are all involved in science every day, carrying out scientific processes and experimenting, even when not aware of it.
=== 2013 ===
Science Week 2013 ran from 10–17 November. The theme was ‘Exploring the XTRA-Ordinary’, which called on the public to go ‘behind the scenes’ of everyday life and explore the extraordinary processes taking place in front of our eyes.
=== 2014 ===
An estimated 250,000 people took part in science festivals, demonstrations, seminars and tours across the country during the 19th annual national Science Week, which took place from 9–16 November 2014. The theme was ‘Power of Science’. Over 800 events took place across Ireland, including science festivals in Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Dublin, Cork, Waterford and the Midlands, aiming to "entertain, educate and enthral young and old alike with the power of science". Jamie Heaslip acted as a Science Week ambassador.

44
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Week_Ireland-1.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
---
title: "Science Week Ireland"
chunk: 2/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_Week_Ireland"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:44.051606+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
=== 2015 ===
2015 marked the 20th anniversary of Science Week, which took place from 8–15 November. The theme was ‘Science Week 2.0 Design Your Future’. It celebrated how science empowers ‘you’ to ‘Design Your Future’. Numerous events were held in every county, and regional festivals took place in Mayo, Sligo, Galway, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and the midlands.
=== 2016 ===
Science Week 2016 took place from 13–20 November. The theme was ‘Science Rising’ which looks at how science is key to our success – it is part of our past, an important part of our present and there is endless potential still to be realised. Science Week 2016 reached more people, all over Ireland, across a wider demographic than had been achieved before. Science Week 2016 saw 10 Regional Festivals across the country.
=== 2017 ===
Science Week 2017 ran nationwide from 12–19 November 2017. The theme was ‘Believe in Science’. More than 1180 events took place across Ireland. 12 regional science festivals took place in Cavan/Monaghan, Cork, Carlow, Festival of Farming and Food (Teagasc), Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, the Midlands, Sligo, Southeast and Tipperary.
A number of Science Foundation Ireland-funded Science Week events took place throughout the week, including events by the Ark Theatre, The British Council of Ireland, Dublinia, Dunsink Observatory, Foodoppi, Learnit Educational Solutions, the Science Gallery, ADAPT, The Rediscovery Centre and Wexford Co. Council. The Scintillating Science event with Dara O'Briain launched the beginning of Science Week in the National Concert Hall, and the Dublin Science Week Family Open Day at the Convention Centre Dublin was held at the end of the week.
During Science Week 2017, SFI launched the #StopAndAsk social media campaign which calls on people to ask questions about the world around them. Science Foundation Ireland, its partners and the science community answered a selection of these questions throughout the week.
=== 2018 ===
Science Week 2018 ran nationwide from 11–18 November 2018. The theme was a continuation of 2017 #BelieveInScience while also continuing the #StopAndAsk social media campaign.
In 2018 SFI funded 12 regional festivals in Cavan/Monaghan, Cork, Carlow, Festival of Farming and Food (Teagasc), Galway, Wexford, Limerick, Mayo, the Midlands, Sligo, Southeast and Tipperary and 15 funded events. The events varied between school visits, workshops and evening events and took place in venues across the country.
A show reel of some highlights of Science Week 2018 can be viewed on YouTube.
=== 2019 ===
Science Week 2019 will run from 10–16 November 2019.
== How to get involved ==
The SFI website outlines tips on how to get involved with Science Week in Ireland.
== See also ==
Science Week
== References ==
== External links ==
Forfás website
Science Week Ireland website
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation website
Information about Science Week on Discover-Science.ie
Science Week Ireland on X
Science.ie on X - Irish science news, events and links on Twitter

28
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
---
title: "Science in newly industrialized countries"
chunk: 1/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:34.792773+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
Scientific research is concentrated in the developed world, with only a marginal contribution from the rest of the world. Many newly industrialized countries have been trying to establish scientific institutions, but with limited success. There is an insufficient dedicated, inspired and motivated labor pool for science and insufficient investment in science education.
== The limited success of Newly Industrialized Countries ==
The reason that there have been so few scientists, who have made their mark globally, from most NIC's (Newly Industrialized Countries) is partly historical and partly social A true scientist is nurtured from the school upwards to scientific establishments. Only if there are inspired and dedicated school science teachers in abundance, there will be a sufficient number of inspired students who would like to take science as a career option and who may one day become a successful scientist.
== The common thread ==
A common thread can indeed be discerned in the state of science in many NICs. Thus although, most of the science establishments in the major NICs can be said to be doing fairly well, none of them have been as successful as the developed countries.
After the Second World War, a small technical elite arose in developing countries such as India, Pakistan, Brazil, and Iraq who had been educated as scientists in the industrialized world. They spearheaded the development of science in these countries, presuming that by pushing for Manhattan Project-type enterprises in nuclear power, electronics, pharmaceuticals, or space exploration they could leapfrog the dismally low level of development of science establishments in their countries. India, for example, started a nuclear energy program that mobilized thousands of technicians and cost hundreds of millions of dollars but had limited success. Though China, North Korea, India and Pakistan have been successful in deploying nuclear weapons and some of them e.g. China and India have launched fairly successful space programs, (for example, Chandrayaan I (Sanskrit चंद्रयान-1), which literally means "Moon Craft," is an unmanned lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation that hoped to land a motorised rover on the Moon in 2010 or 2011 as a part of its second Chandrayaan mission; Chang'e I, China's Moon probing project is proceeding in a well-organized way), the fact remains that most of the scientists responsible for these deeds had received their terminal education from some institution or university in US or Europe. In addition there have been hardly any Nobel laureates in science who have conducted the path-breaking research in a native science establishment.
== Science in Brazil ==
Brazilian science effectively began in the 19th century. Until then, Brazil was a poor colony, without universities, printing presses, libraries, museums, etc. This was perhaps a deliberate policy of the Portuguese colonial power, because they feared that the appearance of educated Brazilian classes would boost nationalism and aspirations toward political independence.
The first attempts of having a Brazilian science establishment were made around 1783, with the expedition of Portuguese naturalist Alexandre Rodrigues, who was sent by Portugal's prime minister, the Marquis of Pombal, to explore and identify Brazilian fauna, flora and geology. His collections, however, were lost to the French, when Napoleon invaded, and were transported to Paris by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. In 1772, the first learned society, the Sociedade Scientifica, was founded in Rio de Janeiro, but lasted only until 1794. Also, in 1797, the first botanic institute was founded in Salvador, Bahia. In the second and third decades of the twentieth century, the main universities in Brazil were organised from a set of existing medical, engineering and law schools. The University of Brazil dates from 1927, the University of São Paulo - today the largest in the Country - dates from 1934.
Today, Brazil has a well-developed organization of science and technology. Basic research in science is largely carried out in public universities and research centers and institutes, and some in private institutions, particularly in non-profit non-governmental organizations. More than 90% of funding for basic research comes from governmental sources.
Applied research, technology and engineering is also largely carried out in the university and research centers system, contrary-wise to more developed countries such as the United States, South Korea, Germany, Japan, etc. A significant trend is emerging lately. Companies such as Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and IBM have established large R&D&I centers in Brazil. One of the incentive factors for this, besides the relatively lower cost and high sophistication and skills of Brazilian technical manpower, has been the so-called Informatics Law, which exempts from certain taxes up to 5% of the gross revenue of high technology manufacturing companies in the fields of telecommunications, computers, digital electronics, etc. The Law has attracted annually more than 1,5 billion dollars of investment in Brazilian R&D&I. Multinational companies have also discovered that some products and technologies designed and developed by Brazilians are significantly competitive and are appreciated by other countries, such as automobiles, aircraft, software, fiber optics, electric appliances, and so on.
The challenges Brazilian science faces today are: to expand the system with quality, supporting the installed competence; transfer knowledge from the research sector to industry; embark on government action in strategic areas; enhance the assessment of existing programmes and commence innovative projects in areas of relevance for the Country. Furthermore, scientific dissemination plays a fundamental role in transforming the perception of the public at large of the importance of science in modern life. The government has undertaken to meet these challenges using institutional base and the operation of existing qualified scientists.
== Science in China ==

18
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries-1.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
---
title: "Science in newly industrialized countries"
chunk: 2/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:34.792773+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
China was a world leader in science and technology until the early years of the Ming dynasty. Chinese discoveries and Chinese innovations such as papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder (the Four Great Inventions) contributed to the economic development in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe. A question that has been intriguing many historians studying China is the fact that China did not develop a scientific revolution and Chinese technology fell behind that of Europe. Many hypotheses have been proposed ranging from the cultural to the political and economic. has argued that China indeed had a scientific revolution in the 17th century and that we are still far from understanding the scientific revolutions of the West and China in all their political, economic and social ramifications. Some like John K. Fairbank are of the opinion that the Chinese political system was hostile to scientific progress.
Needham argued, and most scholars agreed, that cultural factors prevented these Chinese achievements from developing into what could be called "science". It was the religious and philosophical framework of the Chinese intellectuals which made them unable to believe in the ideas of laws of nature. More recent historians have questioned political and cultural explanations and have focused more on economic causes. Mark Elvin's high level equilibrium trap is one well-known example of this line of thought, as well as Kenneth Pomeranz' argument that resources from the New World made the crucial difference between European and Chinese development.
Thus, it was not that there was no order in nature for the Chinese, but rather that it was not an order ordained by a rational personal being, and hence there was no conviction that rational personal beings would be able to spell out in their lesser earthly languages the divine code of laws which he had decreed aforetime. The Taoists, indeed, would have scorned such an idea as being too naive for the subtlety and complexity of the universe as they intuited it. Similar grounds have been found for questioning much of the philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine, which, derived mainly from Taoist philosophy, reflects the classical Chinese belief that individual human experiences express causative principles effective in the environment at all scales. Because its theory predates use of the scientific method, it has received various criticisms based on scientific thinking. Even though there are physically verifiable anatomical or histological bases for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians, for instance skin conductance measurements show increases at the predicted points.
Today, science and technology establishment in the People's Republic of China is growing rapidly. Even as many Chinese scientists debate what institutional arrangements will be best for Chinese science, reforms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences continue. The average age of researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has dropped by nearly ten years between 1991 and 2003. However, many of them are educated in the United States and other foreign countries.
Chinese university undergraduate and graduate enrollments more than doubled from 1995 to 2005. The universities now have more cited PRC papers than CAS in the Science Citation Index. Some Chinese scientists say CAS is still ahead on overall quality of scientific work but that lead will only last five to ten years.
Several Chinese immigrants to the United States have also been awarded the Nobel Prize, including:, Samuel C. C. Ting, Chen Ning Yang, Tsung-Dao Lee, Daniel C. Tsui, and Gao Xingjian. Other overseas ethnic Chinese that have achieved success in sciences include Fields Medal recipient Shing-Tung Yau and Terence Tao, and Turing Award recipient Andrew Yao. Tsien Hsue-shen was a prominent scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, while Chien-Shiung Wu contributed to the Manhattan Project (some argue she never received the Nobel Prize unlike her colleagues Tsung-Dao Lee and Chen Ning Yang due to sexism by the selection committee). Others include Charles K. Kao, a pioneer in fiber optics technology, and Dr. David Ho, one of the first scientists to propose that AIDS was caused by a virus, thus subsequently developing combination antiretroviral therapy to combat it. Dr. Ho was named TIME magazine's 1996 Man of the Year. In 2015, Tu Youyou, a pharmaceutical chemist, became the first native Chinese scientist, born and educated and carried out research exclusively in the People's Republic of China, to receive the Nobel Prize in natural sciences.
== Science in India ==

28
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries-2.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
---
title: "Science in newly industrialized countries"
chunk: 3/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_in_newly_industrialized_countries"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:34.792773+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
The earliest applications of science in India took place in the context of medicine, metallurgy, construction technology (such as ship building, manufacture of cement and paints) and in textile production and dyeing. But in the process of understanding chemical processes, led to some theories about physical processes and the forces of nature that are today studied as specific topics within the fields of chemistry and physics.
Many mathematical concepts today were contributed by Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata.
There was really no place for scientists in the Indian caste system. Thus while there were/are castes for the learned brahmins, the warriors kshatriyas, the traders vaishyas and the menial workers shudras, maybe even the bureaucrats (the kayasths) there was/is hardly any formal place in the social hierarchy for a people who discover new knowledge or invent new devices based on the recently discovered knowledge, even though scientific temper has always been in India, in the form of logic, reasoning and method of acquiring knowledge. Its therefore no wonder that some Indians quickly learned to value science, especially those belonging to the privileged Brahmin caste during the British colonial rule that lasted over two centuries. Some Indians did succeed to achieve notable success and fame, examples include Satyendra Nath Bose, Meghnad Saha, Jagdish Chandra Bose and C. V. Raman even though they belonged to different castes. The science communication had begun with publication of a scientific journal, Asiatick Researches in 1788. Thereafter, the science communication in India has evolved in many facets. Following this, there has been a continuing development in the formation of scientific institutions and publication of scientific literature. Subsequently, scientific publications also started appearing in Indian languages by the end of eighteenth century. The publication of ancient scientific literature and textbooks at mass scale started in the beginning of nineteenth century. The scientific and technical terms, however, had been a great difficulty for a long time for popular science writing.
== See also ==
Science and technology in Iran
Science and technology in Pakistan
Science and technology in the Philippines
Science and technology in Turkey
== References ==
== External links ==
Raising the Level of Science in Developing Countries
Improving Science Literacy and Conservation in Developing Countries at the Wayback Machine (archived 2007-07-02)
Science in Indian subcontinent at the Wayback Machine (archived 2007-09-07)
Role of Education, Science and Technology in Developing Countries Archived 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
India science report at the Library of Congress Web Archives (archived 2005-10-07)

18
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_on_Tap-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
---
title: "Science on Tap"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_on_Tap"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:39.429064+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
Science on Tap is the social-cultural initiative of Yivsam Azgad, head of the Media Department and art curator of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
The project began in 2010, under the title "Beer, Science, and Fun", as a gesture to the city of Rehovot on its 120th anniversary. In this framework, some 35 scientists and graduate students went to bars and pubs in Rehovot to talk with the patrons about open questions in science and the newest advances on the forefront of global science. On the same night, research students went to the city center and led a “science comics” session for children in which they created their own science comics, inspired by the Nano Comics series put out by the Weizmann Institute of Science and edited by Yivsam Azgad.
This initiative was highly successful and was covered by the media in Israel and the world. The scientists, artists, and politicians posed a challenge to the organizers: To reproduce this success in Tel Aviv.
In response to the challenge, Azgad decided, with the support of the Weizmann Institute of Science president, Prof. Daniel Zajfman, to organize the event in Tel Aviv under a new name: Science on Tap. This event, preceded by a creative ad campaign, included the participation of 70 scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science speaking in different bars, all at the same time, with free entrance for all. The wild success of this venture led to a significant change in the entertainment culture in Tel Aviv in particular and in Israel in general. Dozens of similar projects, all with the “on Tap” format, (Doctors on Tap, Law on Tap, Knesset Members on Tap, Stock Market on Tap, etc.) were introduced. Similar events have also been put on in London, Boston, Panama City and other places around the world.
Science on Tap is an annual event in Tel Aviv and is conducted jointly by the Weizmann Institute of Science, Time Out Tel Aviv magazine, and often the Tel Aviv municipality. It remains the largest event of its kind.
== References ==

77
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_outreach-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
---
title: "Science outreach"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_outreach"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:40.555713+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
Science outreach, also called education and public outreach (EPO or E/PO) or simply public outreach, is an umbrella term for a variety of activities by research institutes, universities, and institutions such as science museums, aimed at promoting public awareness (and understanding) of science, including trust-building, and making informal contributions to science education.
== Scope and history ==
While there have always been individual scientists interested in educating the public, science outreach has recently become more organized. For example, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) now requires all of its projects to organize suitable outreach activities. Also working to inform the public are organizations such as Communicating Astronomy to the Public and the Washington Declaration on Communicating Astronomy to the Public that organize conferences for the public on science issues and make efforts to put outreach on a more general institutional footing.
Recently, an increasing number of projects have hired designated outreach scientists (part-time or full-time) that handle public relations for their project. There are also specialized outreach providers such as the Education branch of the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado and the Education and Public Outreach Group at Sonoma State University which offer to organize a project's outreach activities on a contractual basis.
In addition to outreach by research institutions, an important part of informal science education are outreach programs such as science museums and science festivals.
== Activities ==
Science outreach can take on a variety of forms.
=== Public talks, lectures, and discussions ===
Lectures are probably the oldest form of science outreach, dating back to the 1820s when Michael Faraday organized the first of the Royal Institution's Christmas Lectures.
Public talks can be part of a lecture series, given at a science festival or in cooperation with a special interest group such as a local astronomy club. Public presentations can have a variety of formats, including straightforward lecture formats with or without experimental demonstrations, guided live interviews, and discussions with several participants and a moderator. There are also less formal initiatives such as Café Scientifique, in which a café or bar is the venue for regular meetings involving guest scientists that come to talk about their work or take part in discussions with members of the public, and collaborations with museums
=== Visiting primary and secondary schools ===
School students and teachers are an important target group for science outreach. Outreach activities can include scientists visiting schools, giving talks at assemblies, discussions with students, or participation in events such as career fairs and science and technology camps. One organization that focuses on this kind of science outreach is Robogals. Many universities also have science outreach programs that are dedicated to building relationships between high school students, university scientists, and K–12 teachers. A few of the most prominent university science outreach programs include Carolina Science Outreach, the Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science, the Rockefeller University Science Outreach Program, the Present Your Ph.D. thesis to a 12-Year Old Outreach Project at University of Texas at Austin in Austin, Texas, the Present Your PhD graduate organization at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, the Discover STEM Polymer Day and Energy and U at the University of Minnesota, and the Stanford University Office of Science Outreach. Using Canada as an example, it has been estimated that with sufficient organization, every classroom from kindergarten through graduation could in practice receive a visit from one or more scientists annually with participation from only 10-15% of the scientific enterprise. Some examples of science outreach programs in Canada include: Let's Talk Science, Actua, The Chemical Institute of Canada, and Science Rendezvous.
=== Workshops and schools for teachers or students ===
Inviting groups of school students to a research institution for a workshop is another popular form of outreach. Formats range from a one-day visit to more involved week-long events such as Perimeter Institute's International Summer School for Young Physicists, a two-week-long program for a total of a hundred Canadian and international students from grade 11.
Another method of science outreach invites school teachers to participate in workshops where they are able to learn effective strategies to engage students in science. This approach was especially embraced by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) which held an annual "Space Educators" conference up until 2012 to provides teachers with access to resources to educate their students in space-related science.
=== Supporting science fairs and similar events ===
Besides organizing independent events, many outreach organizations sponsor existing events that promote sciences awareness. A notable examples are science fairs, public science events in which working scientists can participate both as judges and as sponsors of student projects.
=== Online aggregation of science activities, resources, and programs ===
The internet is a rich source of science activities, resources, and programs. For example, research laboratories often maintain educational outreach projects aimed at translating their science into something meaningful for the general public, often K–12 students, as an effort to increase research broader impacts required by funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF). These may include activities using fast-growing plants that exhibit distinctive mutants with unique phenotypes useful to teach K–12 students about both Mendelian and molecular genetics. Some institutions and organizations maintain large or small aggregations of their activity resources, outreach programs, upcoming events calendars, and partnering programs.
== Awards ==
A number of awards honor commitment to science outreach. Examples include:
Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology, American Association for the Advancement of Science
Descartes Prize for Excellence in Science Communication, European Commission
Michael Faraday Prize for communicating science to a UK audience (Royal Society)
Communicator award, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Synapse Mentorship Awards, often given for exceptional contributions to science outreach, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Nicholson Medal for Human Outreach, American Physical Society
Charles A. Black Award, for exemplary contributions to public understanding of food and agricultural science
Kalinga Prize for popularisation of science is an award given by UNESCO since 1952 for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people
== See also ==
List of Astronomy Outreach Resources in Europe
Science Communication Observatory
Science festival
Science museum
Scientific literacy
Physics Outreach
Popular science
Public science
== References ==
== External links ==
NASA Science

29
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_celebrity-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
---
title: "Scientific celebrity"
chunk: 1/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_celebrity"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:45.209760+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
A scientific celebrity, also known as a celebrity scientist or public scientist, is a scientist who has gained significant public attention, usually through the media. For the general public, scientific celebrities serve to represent science or a field of science. In some instances this can be self-serving in nature or can be at the behest of governmental or corporate interests or to promote the science involved.
With new scientific discoveries scientists come to be publicly known for their contributions. Although this type of recognition has become more common in recent times (coincidental with the rise of celebrity culture), the phenomenon is centuries old. Media attention to science became more pervasive beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s as the variety of media outlets increased and they gave greater attention to scientific progress. Scientific celebrities have had a significant role in the popularization of science.
== Historical examples ==
In the late 17th century and early 18th century, Isaac Newton became widely known in the United Kingdom and much of the western world after he published his theories of motion. Others, including Voltaire, promoted Newton's reputation; although Newton did not actively promote himself.
Charles Darwin pursued popularity among the general public following his 1859 publication of his book On the Origin of Species which explained his theory of evolution. This included distribution of mass-produced photographs of himself and his projects. He carefully selected interviews and public appearances. He responded to his mail with pre-printed responses. Darwin made available low cost editions of his book for reading by the general public. Statuettes of a chimpanzee contemplating a human skull became widely available following the rise of Darwin's fame.
== Modern examples ==
By 1919, shortly after Albert Einstein published his seminal work on the General Theory of Relativity, he became well known among the general public around the world. By then, experimental data appeared to support Einstein's theories, and this revolutionary new way of thinking of the physical world commanded significant public attention. Science historian Abraham Pais wrote, “Einstein, creator of some of the best science of all time, is himself a creation of the media in so far as he is and remains a public figure.” Einstein's rise to celebrity status is traceable to November 1919 as major news outlets such as The Times (of London) and The New York Times reported on the scientific breakthroughs. Einstein was at times uncomfortable with his celebrity status, as it compromised his privacy. However, he used his fame to advance social causes for which he had strong conviction, such as Zionism, nuclear disarmament, civil rights, and pacifism.
Astronomer Fred Hoyle rose to prominence by 1950, especially in the United Kingdom. He hosted a series of radio broadcasts by the BBC entitled, "The Nature of the Universe". Hoyle was for a time among the most popular broadcasters in the United Kingdom, and the book version of his radio broadcast was a bestseller.
In the latter part of the 20th century and early 21st century, cosmologist Stephen Hawking achieved celebrity status. This was initially through his research publications on black holes and other aspects of cosmology. In 1988, he published A Brief History of Time, which was a book that provided insight into cosmology for the general public. Hawking's celebrity status grew rapidly, and his involvement in popular culture was perpetuated through television and radio appearances, biographical books, and being the subject of a movie, The Theory of Everything. At times, Hawking suffered from public scrutiny of his private life.
Brian Cox, British physicist and science presenter, can be considered a living example of a scientific celebrity, as he has presented multiple scientific programs and appeared on different talk shows, such as The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and others.
Lists of notable English language popularizers of science and of science communicators are available.
== The Sagan Effect ==
Carl Sagan was an accomplished researcher in the field of planetary science by the time he published his 1977 book The Dragons of Eden, on the evolution of human intelligence, targeted for general, non-scientific audiences. With this book, Sagan earned the Pulitzer Prize and became famous. In 1980, Sagan hosted the television series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which cemented his status as a scientific celebrity. Time Magazine called Sagan "America's most effective salesman of science."
Sagan was a university professor at the time that he first achieved celebrity status. Influential academic peers perceived Sagan as a popularizer of science and not a serious scholar. He was denied academic tenure at Harvard University, despite his significant achievements as an independent researcher. (He later became a full professor at Cornell University.) Science historian Michael Shermer termed this the "Sagan Effect." This form of academic snobbery has applied to some other scientific celebrities, including Paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould. A 2016 discussion of the Sagan Effect indicated that the effect was continuing to persist at that time, even though it may be in decline as academic institutions have become more engaged in public outreach.

40
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_celebrity-1.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
---
title: "Scientific celebrity"
chunk: 2/2
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_celebrity"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:45.209760+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
== Role of the media ==
The means of media reporting on science and the amount of science reporting have evolved significantly since science reporting first began, just as it has with journalism on most subjects. Early on, scientists gained the publicity necessary for celebrity status through traditional print media, including newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and mailings. The lecture circuit was another means, especially for self-promotion. By the middle of the 20th century, broadcast media such as television and radio and eventually cable television became important outlets. The rise of digital media enabled scientist to directly address the general public. Many other people have become known to the public as a result of media promotion. Heads of state, heads of governmental units and religious leaders have long received this type of media attention in representing interests other than their own. Scientific celebrity is similar, and C. Everett Koop is an example of a scientific celebrity who gain celebrity status through his work for a governmental agency, as Surgeon General of the United States.
A further form of scientific outreach in the digital age is TED Talks. Science is one of the basic themes of Ted Talks, and examples of scientific celebrities who have presented TED Talks include E.O. Wilson, Barry Schwartz, Richard Dawkins, Steven Pinker, Brian Greene, and Laura Boykin, among others.
A survey indicates that public acceptance of scientific concepts, particularly evolution, depends on the celebrity scientists who advocate it and on the other concepts that the celebrity advocates. Amy Unsworth and David Voas found that acceptance of evolution could decrease among some religious groups if it is advocated by a celebrity scientist who is perceived as having negative views of the religion, such as Richard Dawkins.
== Science by press release ==
At times, some scientists have inappropriately or prematurely publicized their research findings in the media, by press release or press conference. This has typically occurred when the findings have questionable scientific merit, and the scientists appeal directly to the general public. At times the host institution is complicit. This type of science by press release is seen as an example of pathological science. Cold fusion is an example of this behavior.
== Media celebrities ==
Some television presenters such as Richard Attenborough, Patrick Moore and David Attenborough have scientific qualifications, and some like Bill Nye have engineering qualifications, but these presenters are primarily known for their own presentations of scientific topics rather than their contributions to the advance of scientific knowledge. Some media outlets have science editors or science reporters who are specifically tasked with reporting on scientific developments. These people often do not have scientific training but rather are professional journalists, a notable example being Jules Bergman of ABC-TV in the United States.
Actor Alan Alda has taken up the cause of aiding scientists in communicating with the general public. His efforts are not limited to scientific celebrities and include scientists that are not well known. Alda's method emphasizes improvisational techniques.
Some celebrities are known for their roles in the media but not for their work in science, such as Mayim Bialik, one of the stars of the television show The Big Bang Theory, who has a PhD in neuroscience. Another example is actress Danica McKellar who has published original research in the field of mathematics. Another is comedian and science writer Kasha Patel.
== See also ==
Celebrity doctor
Science communication
Science communicators
Notable science journalists
Public awareness of science
Science by press conference
List of celebrities with advanced academic degrees
Sociology of scientific knowledge
== References ==
== Further reading ==
La Follette, Marcel Chotkowski. Science on American Television: A History. University of Chicago Press (December 21, 2012). ISBN 978-0226921990.
Fahy, Declan. The New Celebrity Scientists: Out of the Lab and into the Limelight. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (March 6, 2015). ISBN 978-1442233423.
Kennedy, David; Overholser, Geneva. Science and the Media. American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Media in Society Project. January 2010.
Martinez-Conde, Susana; Macknik, Stephen L.; Powell, Devin. "The Plight of the Celebrity Scientist". Scientific American, October 2016, pp. 64 – 67.

43
data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Science_Network-0.md Normal file
View File

@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
---
title: "The Science Network"
chunk: 1/1
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Science_Network"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T02:58:38.297566+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---
The Science Network (TSN) was a non-profit virtual forum dedicated to science and its impact on society. It was initially conceived in 2003 by Roger Bingham and Terry Sejnowski as a cable science TV network modeled on C-SPAN. TSN later became a global digital platform hosting videos of lectures from scientific meetings and long form one-on-one conversations with prominent scientists and communicators of science, including Neil deGrasse Tyson, V.S. Ramachandran, Helen S. Mayberg, and Barbara Landau. TSN has also sponsored and co-sponsored scientific forums, such as Stem cells: science, ethics and politics at the crossroads, held at the Salk Institute in 2004 and the Beyond Belief conference series.
== Beyond Belief conference series ==
TSN's signature series Beyond Belief was conceived to bring together a community of scientists, philosophers, scholars from the humanities, and social commentators. Speakers at these meetings have included Steven Weinberg, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Harry Kroto, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Stuart Kauffman. So far, the following three Beyond Belief conferences were organized:
=== 2006: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival ===
Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival, the first of The Science Network's annual Beyond Belief symposia, held from November 5 to November 7, 2006, was described by The New York Times, as "a free-for-all on science and religion," which seemed at times like "the founding convention for a political party built on a single plank: in a world dangerously charged with ideology, science needs to take on an evangelical role, vying with religion as teller of the greatest story ever told." According to participant Melvin Konner, however, the event came to resemble a "den of vipers” debating the issue, "Should we bash religion with a crowbar or only with a baseball bat?”
New Scientist summed up the topics to be discussed as a list of three questions:
Can science help us create a new rational narrative as poetic and powerful as those that have traditionally sustained societies?
Can we treat religion as a natural phenomenon?
Can we be good without God? And if not God, then what?
Speakers included physicists Steven Weinberg, Lawrence Krauss, Philosopher/author Sam Harris, biologist Joan Roughgarden, Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine, anthropologist Scott Atran and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
=== 2007: Enlightenment 2.0 ===
Beyond Belief: Enlightenment 2.0 was the second annual symposium and was held from 31 October to 2 November 2007 at the Frederic de Hoffmann Auditorium of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
The conference was released on a five-disc DVD series in 2007.
=== 2008: Candles in the Dark ===
Beyond Belief: Candles in the Dark was the third annual Beyond Belief symposium. This event was organized by The Science Network and held from 3 October to 6 October 2008 in San Diego, CA.
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
Beyond Belief: Science, Religion, Reason and Survival DVD Release on Internet Archive