madame scientist's not-so-mad musings

Bringing fresh produce to poor communities!

How can you increase the collective intelligence of companies, or countries, or the whole world? A lofty goal, but this study attempts to evaluate collective intelligence of a group and concluded that (1) it is not correlated with the intelligence of its individuals and (2) a moderate amount of diversity (as in including women) works best.

Thanks to Jeffrey J Davis for giving me permission to post my third feminist blog of the day (he assured me that I had not yet crossed the one-track-mind threshold)! Disclaimer, I’ve not read the original research article (which I generally like to do), so I can’t critically evaluate. Food for thought, anyhow.

Originally shared by Ziona Etzion

As long as I’m wearing my feminist hat today, here is a promising story for getting more women in STEM fields. Although it seems to me that assembling a horsie from 4 triangles should not be particularly challenging to anybody.

Originally shared by Matt Kuenzel

In matriarchal societies where women receive equal education, there is no difference in spatial abilities between men and women.

Women can be just as good as men at spatial tasks—assuming, of course, they get the same education. According to a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, men and women in matriarchal societies where they receive equal education showed equal performance in spatial abilities. The findings suggest that better education in could narrow the gap between the sexes in engineering and technology careers, which require higher levels of spatial reasoning skills.

Why we can still talk philosophically about the weather.

Originally shared by Kenneth V. Smith

My son Justin has a featured article in today’s online NY Times — a special section on Hurricane Irene. He’s a philosophy professor, so some of the references are a bit obscure. I had never before thought about how the French language has “le temps” to mean both time and weather. That might sound simple, but it leads to some deep questions.

via Todd Settimo Warning, this is hypnotic!

Originally shared by Carlos Alves

Originally shared by Maya Walker

via Alan Truly Perfection in evolution!

Originally shared by Jessica Pierce

Second half of this is particularly good. Matt Schultz, don’t miss this!

I used to listen to this song when I was young, and I just found out that a G+ friend loves it too. To me, this has come a full Circle! Hope you enjoy this little gem.

Originally shared by Martha E Fay

Rajini Rao I just posted your lovely link to facebook, and here it is now for G+ to experience!

Heard that Wall Street flooded. Do they need another bail out?

Originally shared by Derya Unutmaz

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~Goethe