I’ve just received word (along with dozens of others, it appears) that I’ve been selected as an SFN Neuroblogger for the 2009 conference next weekend (10/17-10/21)!  I’m extremely excited and honored to have this opportunity and look forward to sharing my thoughts on this year’s meeting with you all.  For those interested, I’ll also be tweeting, from @M_ostlyHarmless and hashtag #sfnthemef (and possibly #sfnthemeh, which is incidentally the worst hashtag ever).  If there’s anything in particular you’d like me to check out, especially for those not attending the meeting, feel free to let me know and I’ll do my best to cover it.

I look forward to seeing everyone (including the RIKEN 2009 Summer Program alums) in Chicago next weekend.  Until then, I’ll be locked away finishing my poster for the meeting (presentation 94.6, 1-5 pm on Sat at EE56).  If you’re around and interested in short duration perception, drop by.

Sorry for the severe lack of updates, the school year has been far busier than I anticipated. I’m writing this post from one of the hurricane shelters at Rice while waiting for the brunt of Ike to hit. I’m trying to keep friends, family, and coworkers updated about the conditions here and what’s going on in the center of everything. To see these updates, follow me on Twitter (http://Twitter.com/m_ostlyharmless). Anytime there’s a big change and I still have cell or Internet access I’ll post an update, hopefully with pictures. I was going to work on a few overdue science/tech posts, but my computer is less charged than I anticipated. Anyway, message me on Twitter with any comments, etc. For all those seriously affected by the storm, stay safe and keep dry. See y’all on the other side.

It seems that evolution has been in the news a lot lately (specifically, these articles in the New York Times). That’s all well and good, but I was truly shocked when I found this Wired blog post discussing how the Republican party chose a vice presidential candidate that supports the ‘debate’ between creationism and evolution.

Seriously?  Haven’t you guys screwed up enough over the last 8 years?  I’m fine with people holding their own beliefs, but I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to posit that there is an actual debate here.  You can compare the validity of evolution and creationism no more than you can compare the soundtracks of Indiana Jones and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (to be clear, the painting).  There is no place for this.

For those of you in the Houston area, there will be a panel on teaching evolution this school year at Rice University.  I encourage anyone passionate about this to check it out.  I’ll post more information (such as who will be present, when, where) as soon as it is publicly available.

If you’re interested in the topic, check out the first Carnival of Evolution.  It’s written by the author of Biochemical Soul, a nice blog on biology and related disciplines/topics.