melissabarton’s Recent Comments

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  Well...

  My mom pointed out to me that the wheels have been turning on this for years (thanks to Clinton, and before him Teddy Roosevelt), and it would have essentially happened anyway next year.  Bush bumping the monumentizing up to this year is probably a big 'ol PR move to boost his flagging ratings.

  I'm happy about it anyway, though.  It's a truly stunning and valuable place that will be fully protected one year earlier--and more permanently--now.

  http://rosettastone.wordpress.com

  On Credit where credit is due posted 3 years, 5 months ago 6 Responses

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  This is a surprise?

  Supposedly one of the early Arctic expeditions didn't go very well because they wore wool--but the answer was layered furs (like the locals), not then-non-existant synthetics.

  Synthetic long underwear is bulkier, less warm, and retains body odor more than silk long underwear.  It's also more expensive.  Honestly, I've never heard outdoors people arguing against natural fibers, just against cotton, because it dries slowly and doesn't insulate well.  I thought everyone knew that silk and wool were some of the best insulators (in the case of wool, even with a ridiculous amount of water absorption as well).

  http://rosettastone.wordpress.com

  On Wool and silk pass the test posted 3 years, 5 months ago 5 Responses

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  Don't lose stuff, add stuff

  I don't want to see less climate coverage, but I would definitely like more coverage of other issues, especially

  *Ecology
  *Biodiversity issues
  *Tourism and the environment (especially "ecotourism," good and bad)
  *Habitat encroachment/destruction
  *Natural resource management (the NPS is in trouble right now, for example)
  *Environmental education

  (I have my biases, but of course there are other less-covered environmental topics out there.)

  I like the idea of having departments and trying for an approximate (but not rigid) balance between topics.

  I also agree with others that the tone as it is works great.  I'm all for guest bloggers, but I don't think more would be vital to the success of the Gristmill.

  http://rosettastone.wordpress.com

  On Help Grist and Gristmill improve posted 3 years, 5 months ago 27 Responses

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  Um.

  Geothermal energy from fission in the Earth's core doesn't run out, no.  Uranium deposits in the Earth's crust don't either--provided we don't go mining them at a non-renewable rate, which we already are (just as with oil).  They're not the same thing just because they both involve radioactivity.

  For the record, I'm not anti-nuclear; I just don't buy that nuclear energy alone will save us.  I do like geothermal, but there are some distinct problems with it, which is why so few countries hae made it work to date.

  http://rosettastone.wordpress.com

  On No nukes is good nukes posted 3 years, 5 months ago 62 Responses

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  I (mostly) agree

  As a scientist, I do believe that we're not doing well with basic science education in this country, and I'd like to see that change.  But it's unfair to put the burden of criticism of very complex topics entirely on the public.

  I saw a fair amount of "Well, you should have KNOWN to be critical of the Washington Post and read the REAL CDC recommendations!" floating around the blogosphere around the "Forever Pregnant" article.  Yeah, it would be nice if people read the original recommendation--but how many people know where to find CDC reports (I didn't--I followed someone else's link), and how many people have the technical knowledge or even the basic reading level to wade through your average medical report or scientific paper?

  I do think it's important not to be too credulous, but the burden of accuracy should lie on the shoulders of scientists, teachers, and the media, not the public.

  I don't agree that getting an education is expensive, though.  A formal education is, but public libraries are free and much of the U.S. has access to the internet and numerous credible sources here.  Time and knowing how to start is more of an issue than access for most people, I think, but I am a strong-proponent of self-education.

  http://rosettastone.wordpress.com

  On Getting accurate information: Public or private responsibility? posted 3 years, 5 months ago 6 Responses