Device Interviews: Recent Episodes
Emily T. Griffiths
Device is a monthly book discussion with a science-based twist. In each episode, we discuss a story that uses science to drive the action of the plot and dissect it for scientific integrity. Frequently, authors incorporate scientific phenomena as a plot device in their fictional stories. This can create thrilling tension, progress the plot, and/or provide the foundation for a philosophical debate. Often a caricature of science is described; it isn't always realisitically plausible. In San Diego, we have top-class research institutions and innovative technology start-ups which can help us review various scientific plot devices critically. We'll discuss the alterations made, if any, for the sake of the story. How much was intentional hyperbole, willful manipulation, or perhaps ignorance? Were the alterations minor, and the device highlights a natural wonder? Or does it contribute to the public’s misunderstanding of science? In short, does it pay off?
Conversation between myself, indy game designer E McNeill, and co-producer Derrick Acosta! This interiew was featured in episode 5 of Device, Presence Mechanism.
Minecraft article (From NYT Mag, not Newsweek): https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.htmlCheck out www.emcneill.com to learn more about E’s VR and PC games!Mega64: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgc4xqIMDoiP4KOTFS21TJAwww.mega64.com
Dr. Michael Wall, curator of entomology and Vice President of Science and Conservation at the San Diego Natural History Museum, sits down with me to spread a little insect appreciation! This interview was recorded for episode 4 of Device, Ants Ants Revolution.
Information on the quino checkerspot butterfly:https://www.sdnhm.org/science/entomology/resources/quino-checkerspot-up-close/https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=5900https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwxPwwHF7o
San Diego bees!https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/sdut-environment-bee-diversity-james-hung-2014jun08-story.htmlhttps://sdnativebees.tumblr.com/https://ucnrs.org/foreign-bees-monopolize-southern-california-flower-resources/San Diego Natural History Museum’s Field Guide and insect ID:https://www.sdnhm.org/entoblog/http://archive.sdnhm.org/fieldguide/inverts/index.html
Full interview with David Holway from UCSD, Department of Biological Sciences. David was a guest on episode 4 of Device: Ants, Ants, Revolution.
HUGE CORRECTION. Repeatedly I refered to David as Dr. Holloway rather than his correct name, HOL-WAY. Apologies, David! Sometimes my mind and my mouth don’t have a clean line of communication between them.
Dr. HOLWAY’s website: http://holwaylab.com/
Morning Glories, Argentine ants, and pollinators: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0542.1
Papers about the Argentine ant:
How much human development supports the Argentine ant and displaces native species: https://www.life.illinois.edu/suarez/publications/HolwaySuarez2006BiolCon.pdf
Why the Argentine ant is so good at displacing other ants: http://www.life.illinois.edu/ib/453/Comm%20Ecol%20papers/Holway.pdf
The broader picture of ant invasions: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lori_Lach/publication/297345408_The_causes_and_consequences_of_ant_invasions/links/56e6aa4608aedb4cc8af6f25/The-causes-and-consequences-of-ant-invasions.pdf
Our interview with Lisa and Shane for the third episode of Device! Check out our full episode on Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Loom Moon
Full interview with Heidi Dewer, a marine biologist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center division of the National Marine Fisheries Service based in La Jolla.
Links:
Status review of the northeastern Pacific population of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) under the Endangered Species Act: https://swfsc.noaa.gov/publications/TM/SWFSC/NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-523.pdf
White Shark Cafe: www.whitesharkcafe.org
Full interview with Wendy Benchley, shark conservation advocate and widow of Jaws author, Peter Benchley.
Links: More about the Benchleys: http://www.peterbenchley.com/ Live from the White Shark Cafe, with Barbara Block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_HsAZrjDpg Voyage to the White Shark Cafe // Schmidt Ocean Institute: https://schmidtocean.org/cruise/voyage-white-shark-cafe/ Peter Benchley article in National Geographic: http://www.peterbenchley.com/sites/default/files/article-flipbooks/NatGeo_2000_April/files/assets/basic-html/page1.html
From Art Miller's lab at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Osinachi Ajoku (Osi), Elizabeth Drenkard (Liz), and Daniela Faggiani Dias (Dani) came in to speak with us.
Alex Tardy is a meterologist for the National Weather Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, office in San Diego. The office is an active office, meaning that there is always someone on duty to keep us updated about the weather.