# Science and Technology **URL:** https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/science-and-technology/7.md [Latest](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/categories.md) --- ## [About the Science and Technology category](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/about-the-science-and-technology-category/13)
**Author:** [@system](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/system)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/about-the-science-and-technology-category/13 "2021-06-01T15:55:59Z")
From discussion of the latest Hubble images to evolution and technological breakthroughs, related discussions can be found in this category. --- ## [If you're keeping score, the planet is losing](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/if-youre-keeping-score-the-planet-is-losing/12059)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/if-youre-keeping-score-the-planet-is-losing/12059 "2026-09-26T01:04:26Z")
All those predictions about how much time we had before it was to late, yep… --- ## [It's not Sci-Fi it's another take over of the commons](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/its-not-sci-fi-its-another-take-over-of-the-commons/12056)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2026, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/its-not-sci-fi-its-another-take-over-of-the-commons/12056 "2026-09-08T15:28:12Z")
I found this on a Facebook sci-fi page. The connection is the analogy to Soylent Green. What is too often called AI is really people, writing stuff, chatting. That is being digested and will eventually be owned and contr… --- ## [Why don't we stop global warming?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-dont-we-stop-global-warming/11958)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/why-dont-we-stop-global-warming/11958 "2026-09-02T09:20:04Z")
Because we didn’t have the money By that, I mean myself and most the planet don’t have enough money to buy politicians who make the rules that make them more money. Instead we get models that talk about people like th… --- ## [Dr. Mark Solms demystifies Chalmers "Hard Problem " of Consciousness.](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/dr-mark-solms-demystifies-chalmers-hard-problem-of-consciousness/7811)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/dr-mark-solms-demystifies-chalmers-hard-problem-of-consciousness/7811 "2026-08-15T22:44:21Z")
Lausten are you familiar with Dr. Mark Solms’ work? It’s weird that after nearly a year of searching out what I could about consciousness and chasing down tangents of the many lofty variations of the ideas smart people … --- ## [If atheism is true](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/if-atheism-is-true/5529)
**Author:** [@adonai888](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/adonai888)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/if-atheism-is-true/5529 "2026-08-15T18:48:28Z")
If atheism is true THEN: life comes from non-life rationality comes from non-rational processes morality from a-moral processes meaning from non-meaning values of life from no-values order from chaos complexity f… --- ## [Scientifically speaking; How would you define pseudoscience?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/scientifically-speaking-how-would-you-define-pseudoscience/6012)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/scientifically-speaking-how-would-you-define-pseudoscience/6012 "2026-07-26T08:34:20Z")
Interesting times at Ridgemont High. Here’s my decidedly unschooled personal thoughts - would love to hear from someone who’s actually studied this sort of thing. It seems to me serious science rests on some fundamenta… --- ## [Oppenheimer on democracy](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oppenheimer-on-democracy/12032)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/oppenheimer-on-democracy/12032 "2026-07-15T20:41:31Z")
Brian Cox paraphrased and mis-referenced Oppenheimer, but he did it beautifully. Brian said, “, The point of democracy is not to win, it’s to ensure that there’s a chance for the other side to win at some point in the fu… --- ## [How to Lie with Statistics 1954](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-to-lie-with-statistics-1954/12028)
**Author:** [@cutslikeaknife](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cutslikeaknife)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 5:03am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-to-lie-with-statistics-1954/12028 "2026-07-11T05:03:39Z")
How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff is not a typical statistics book. The purpose of this book is to teach readers how to interpret statistics. Huff provides countless examples of how statistics can be misused to … --- ## [Origins. A closer look at Earth's first half a billion years (Anton Petrov)](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/origins-a-closer-look-at-earths-first-half-a-billion-years-anton-petrov/12018)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/origins-a-closer-look-at-earths-first-half-a-billion-years-anton-petrov/12018 "2026-06-15T15:42:51Z")
As a kid my fascination began with learning about our Solar System and Earth and the rest of it, sitting on my Grandma’s lap going through 1940s-'50s encyclopedias. (reinforced by everything else going on in my world) Th… --- ## [A ray of hope in the darkness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-ray-of-hope-in-the-darkness/12011)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/a-ray-of-hope-in-the-darkness/12011 "2026-06-13T01:34:27Z")
Something good. --- ## [No really, we're dumber now](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/no-really-were-dumber-now/12004)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2026, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/no-really-were-dumber-now/12004 "2026-06-07T19:18:22Z")
This is a cut and paste from Facebook. I don’t think I’m violating copyrights. He’s saying, genetically, we’re going downhill. The counter argument is better nutrition and generally safer environments are countering the … --- ## [Mind in Life: Biology, Phenomenology, and the Sciences of Mind, Evan Thompson](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/mind-in-life-biology-phenomenology-and-the-sciences-of-mind-evan-thompson/11997)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/mind-in-life-biology-phenomenology-and-the-sciences-of-mind-evan-thompson/11997 "2026-05-30T03:27:54Z")
A new discovery for me, Evan Thompson. He’s relevant for anyone interested in the post “Hard Problem” approach to understanding our human aware consciousness and how it relates to all other living creatures of Earthly o… --- ## [The monster they created is right](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-monster-they-created-is-right/11623)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-monster-they-created-is-right/11623 "2026-05-30T03:13:22Z")
The people who are causing the problem are being told by their creation that they created the problem Grok is citing the IPCC and linking the deaths due to the floods to the cuts at NOAA. it’s saying that facts aren’t… --- ## [Stephen Pinker another Straw Men warrior](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/stephen-pinker-another-straw-men-warrior/6106)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2026, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/stephen-pinker-another-straw-men-warrior/6106 "2026-05-28T11:59:27Z")
Today I read another George Monbiot (3/9/18) article that’s fits into the category - if I only could have, That’s something I’d have been proud of writing, as opposed to most the other stuff out there which tends to hav… --- ## [Evolution explains our condition](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/evolution-explains-our-condition/11992)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/evolution-explains-our-condition/11992 "2026-05-24T11:56:37Z")
It’s often on the event of death that we find out about great people --- ## [The only thing we truly know](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-only-thing-we-truly-know/11988)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-only-thing-we-truly-know/11988 "2026-05-22T16:51:42Z")
I’m a long-time fan of Michael Pollan. He’s a science writer, so I think this belongs in this category. It’s a walk through many ideas on consciousness. Mark Solms is referenced (Felt Uncertainty section), as is Anil Set… --- ## [Too little and late](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/too-little-and-late/11963)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2026, 3:36am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/too-little-and-late/11963 "2026-05-02T03:36:55Z")
If this was the headline 50 years ago, we might have had a chance --- ## [What if normal now is not normal](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-if-normal-now-is-not-normal/11951)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/what-if-normal-now-is-not-normal/11951 "2026-04-20T01:24:45Z")
This question has been asked in many ways, but better history and understanding of ourselves sheds a different light on it. It’s intuitive that modern life requires different mental skills than early tribal life. So, h… --- ## [Sea Ice Extent Sinks to Record Lows at Both Poles - Feb/March 2017](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sea-ice-extent-sinks-to-record-lows-at-both-poles-feb-march-2017/5559)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev3](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/sea-ice-extent-sinks-to-record-lows-at-both-poles-feb-march-2017/5559 "2026-04-16T21:32:43Z")
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2017/sea-ice-extent-sinks-to-record-lows-at-both-poles Arctic sea ice appears to have reached on March 7 a record low wintertime maximum extent, according to scientists at NASA and th… --- ## [Striking comment from Greta](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/striking-comment-from-greta/11912)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/striking-comment-from-greta/11912 "2026-04-04T22:19:00Z")
The Guardian had an excerpt from Greta Thurnberg’s book. Included this Saving the world is voluntary. You could certainly argue against that statement from a moral point of view, but the fact remains: there are no law… --- ## [The spotted owl, now the rice whale](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-spotted-owl-now-the-rice-whale/11937)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/the-spotted-owl-now-the-rice-whale/11937 "2026-04-03T13:35:05Z")
The spotted owl was the symbol of capitalism vs environmentalism back in the day. The committee that could override the species protection act has not met since, well, until Trump. --- ## [AI will ruin everything but not the way you think it will](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ai-will-ruin-everything-but-not-the-way-you-think-it-will/11782)
**Author:** [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/ai-will-ruin-everything-but-not-the-way-you-think-it-will/11782 "2026-02-25T23:10:10Z")
Carrier is right a lot because he knows how to research. The link to a primer on that is within this article. This is shorter than most of his posts, and doesn’t bother with technical details because the details aren’t t… --- ## [How biology harnesses electricity to create consciousness | Nick Lane](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-biology-harnesses-electricity-to-create-consciousness-nick-lane/11859)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2026, 1:58am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/how-biology-harnesses-electricity-to-create-consciousness-nick-lane/11859 "2026-02-18T01:58:55Z")
Alright, my schedule is clear, time to get back to Nick Lane, I’ve done a lot of learning from this man over the years, having read, Oxygen: The Molecule that made the World; Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of E… --- ## [Considering Things Science Can Explain About Consciousness](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-things-science-can-explain-about-consciousness/11866)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/considering-things-science-can-explain-about-consciousness/11866 "2026-02-12T17:21:22Z")
This feels good, after all the distractions and roadblocks, etc - I’ve had the days to focus, pull it all together, and spell it out. I posted it at Medium.com, over there it can be listened to, while reading. But one … --- ## [Cousin flintstones](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/cousin-flintstones/11892)
**Author:** [@rasilon](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/rasilon)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/cousin-flintstones/11892 "2026-02-10T22:30:04Z")
I’ve heard it said that the Neanderthals may have disappeared by interbreeding with our homo sapiens ancestors. If so, then surely the Neanderthals are merely another ethnic group rather than another species? I mean diff… --- ## [Moltbook.com - "It's Over"?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/moltbook-com-its-over/11876)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/moltbook-com-its-over/11876 "2026-02-03T20:47:44Z")
Some are praying for a kill switch. The thoughtlessness of people who have absolutely no conception of what they are playing with. File under: “Maybe This Isn’t A Good Idea.” Matthew Berman Jan 30, 2026 … --- ## [Scientists say consciousness is far older—and more widespread—than we ever realized](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/scientists-say-consciousness-is-far-older-and-more-widespread-than-we-ever-realized/11871)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/scientists-say-consciousness-is-far-older-and-more-widespread-than-we-ever-realized/11871 "2026-01-26T17:21:33Z")
Study by Dr. Newen and Montemayor TIM MCMILLAN · NOVEMBER 26, 2025 … Other animals, such as birds, lacking a cerebral cortex, were thought to operate on instinct rather than introspection. Yet, in a pair of new st… --- ## [Have you heard of "Ocean Darkwaves"?](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/have-you-heard-of-ocean-darkwaves/11869)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2026, 4:43am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/have-you-heard-of-ocean-darkwaves/11869 "2026-01-24T04:43:39Z")
This one is for the cascading consequences section. Our newly published study introduces the phenomenon of “marine darkwaves”: sudden, intense episodes of underwater darkness that can last from days to months and push … --- ## [Philip Ball on biology's biggest mistake](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/philip-ball-on-biologys-biggest-mistake/11863)
**Author:** [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/philip-ball-on-biologys-biggest-mistake/11863 "2026-01-21T16:12:22Z")
I’ve been vaguely familiar with Phillip Ball through various article over the years, so when this video came up I clicked it out of curiosity and it was fascinating. We don’t even know what genes are | Phi… [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/c/science-and-technology/7.md?page=1)