Brian, Meg, and I will all have March For Science posts later this week. In the meantime, here’s an open thread. What do you think of the March? Did you attend one, or speak at one? Have you seen any pieces on the March that you think are particularly worth reading? What do you think happens next, or should happen next? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Dynamic Ecology
Multa novit vulpes
Dynamic Ecology 
Hi Jeremy. Me and a few colleagues attended the satellite march in Grenoble. Unfortunately, ours was quite small and poorly organised, and the fact that it fell on the eve of the presidential elections in France was certainly not optimal (I think many may have refrained from marching because of this, despite the March For Science being apolitical to a certain degree). Nonetheless, I do not think it was “all for nothing”. Even if we were few, even if there was no media coverage, even if there weren’t a thousand voices shouting in the streets, I think every act has a consequence and makes a difference. For my part, just saying that I was going made at least 4 more people go and at least think about the causes of the march. That’s already something, no?
you’ve already linked to it before, but in case people didn’t read the Friday links last week, Terry’s reasoning on why he marched despite the lack of diversity was especially profound
One thing that struck me was how polite the march was. We had about 1,000 people in Brisbane, Australia, and everyone walked on the sidewalk. It was somewhat amusing to see the social anxiety on everyone’s faces, “Do we stop at the pedestrian crossing?”
Yes, our local march was very quiet and polite too. We all walked on the sidewalk, stopped at the pedestrian crossings, most of the marchers thanked the local police who were directing traffic for us, and overall it was exactly what you’d expect from a demographic that includes a lot of introverts and non-neurotypical people!
Via Twitter:
I had a tiny post about my mixed emotions about the march (and more thoughts brewing, to emerge at a later date): https://ambikamath.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/mixed-emotions-about-marching-for-science/
FYI, for readers here who are wondering why there might have been some folk feeling conflicted, I heartily recommend checking out the #marginsci hashtag both re: the march and well beyond – excellent treads (often with data) about the problems here.
(Will be posting my own reflections later – but don’t worry, I had a very punny sign!)
And p.s. The March for Science Boston *rocked* and hit all of the right notes, I thought, on some very complicated issues – both with respect to science in the world and getting our own house in order.
Kathy Barker, a former scientist and science writer, has an entire blog devoted to activism by scientists, “Scientists as Citizens,” on which she provides the following roundup of pieces for and against marching and being political: http://scientistsascitizens.org/2017/04/19/march/
Via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/mollybirdsci/status/856517305215451137
OK, so now Joe Citizen knows we have lots and lots of scientists… likely more than he ever thought possible. Perhaps too many?
Hi Jeremy (and Meg and Brian)!
Although marches aren’t really my thing, I think this particular one was great, and to see lots of people get together for the sake of science was awesome (I live in Denver and we got a good turnout). Not to express my political views, but scientific awareness will hopefully make a comeback if this keeps up! Long live knowledge.
On a sort of unrelated note, since we’re moving into the future and all with science, I have a few hypothetical questions for you all relating to ecology outside of Earth:
If there were a some sort of space colony, what would be an easy way to replenish food for humans and other animals, as well as plants?
How much oxygen would be needed to support an ideal environment in said colony?
What type of organisms could adapt best in the colony?
Thanks so much!
Benoit
Sorry, I don’t know anything about colonizing other planets. Personally, I think that possibility is so far in the future that it’s not worth much research right now.
I think you would have to better define what you mean by “space colony” to answer your other questions. In all likelihood though, the bigger challenges relating to establishing human life in space, or on other worlds, concern mental rather than biological health (see http://www.curbed.com/2013/6/6/10235572/a-look-back-at-arizonas-utterly-beautiful-biodome-failure).
Also bear in mind that the more artificial systems become for maintaining life, the less likely they can persist long-term.