Citizen Science

While reading Biopunk I've been able to explore the issue of "bio hackers" and "citizen science". Should the general public take science into their own hands and conduct their own experiments? This is an interesting question that is posed throughout Biopunk and thus, I wonder how I would respond to a situation of citizen science?

Supposed that I have come back from summer break to find that my roommate has set up a wetlab in our apartment in order to experiment with genetic material. My first response would be concern and serious doubt. While I advocate that everyone should try and educate themselves on some aspect of science, one cannot deny that areas like genetics require serious understanding of the scientific literature. Is it safe for someone with no background in genetics to suddenly start experimenting with genes? I do not think I would participate in my roommate's experiment because I tend to err on the side of caution and would not feel qualified to conduct such experiments. The situation would be different if I were being monitored by someone who has great expertise in the field of genetics. Not only could I safely (and correctly) conduct any experiments I want to, but I could be mentored in the field of genetics further, and perhaps I would learn much more than I would have on my own. Not only would I be getting the "hands on" expertise that is sometimes necessary for studying science, but I would also be taught by a professional who can impart far greater knowledge on me than just my own experimentation. 

The vast, dark universe...

Our universe and immense, and often times, very foreboding. I have always been fascinated by its mysterious abyss. I have always wanted to learn more about the galaxy, but I have also been intimidated by how to begin. However, that seemed to change a bit this past week. In class, we were assigned to take a look at the Galaxy Zoo project. I looked at images and was then asked to answer questions about the image. The questions asked seem to ask me to think deeper about the characteristics of what I was shown. I was not confident at first and seemed to stumble through, but as I went on, I became a little bit more confident in my abilities.

I really enjoyed this website because I feel that it is somewhat geared to a common person with little knowledge about the galaxy (like me). It simplified the images I was being shown as time went on. By doing so, it allowed me to tune in on the fine details of the images and therefore be able to gain greater knowledge over this area. I think websites like Galaxy Zoo are important because there should always be avenues for everyday people to be able to expand their knowledge on a subject. In a world where people are forever seen as becoming "dumber" and are only concerned with the latest happening on the "Real Housewives", perhaps the pubic should invest more time in developing sites that can help educate the public.

Fantasy vs. Science Fiction

When we started this unit on science fiction, I found myself wondering why we even had to talk about it in the first place. I have never been a huge fan of science fiction -- it has always seemed uninteresting and too "techy" for me. However, I have always been a fan of the fantasy genre. I grew up on Harry Potter, and while I despise the Twilight characters, I find the story to be an interesting read.

I do vehemently believe we live in an age where fantasy is more popular than science fiction. First and foremost, I believe that while science fiction can be seen as a "glimpse" of our future (an apocalyptic world overrun by technology), fantasy is pure imagination and magic. While many will woefully agree that there never was a Middle Earth inhabited by Hobbits, it is an escape to think of a world that is so different than the one we live in now. I see science fiction as a situation that could be real -- maybe our world will be like the battlegrounds of War of the Worlds or maybe technology will develop beyond its current capabilities like The Matrix.

Additionally, I believe that science fiction is geared toward men more so than girls. Fantasy tends to focus more on emotions than science fiction. Harry Potter appealed to both girls and boys because it had both thrilling action and profound love. Star Wars doesn't hold my interest for long because it doesn't have the things that I am interested in.

Furthermore, fantasy, and mythical creatures like Bigfoot, are more fun to speculate about. I believe that audience finds it intriguing to debate over whether the Yeti or Bigfoot exist. I do not believe science fiction has that appeal, because most of it is set in the future.

Thus, I believe we live in an age of fantasy, rather than an age of science fiction. To me, fantasy has so much more to offer its audience, and perhaps that is why it dominates over science fiction.