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2011 World Science Festival Begins In NYC

Posted by samzenpus on from the get-your-science-on dept.

Velcroman1 writes "For the next five days, New Yorkers will be learning about science not from a PowerPoint presentation but by watching it firsthand. The World Science Festival is taking over New York City from June 1 to 5, bringing together scientists, celebrities, researchers and more to discuss the fascinating world of science. Celebrating its fourth year, the fledgling festival has turned into a seasoned veteran, attracting over 185,000 attendants last year, and the festival creators expect the numbers to be even more impressive this year."

11 of 19 comments (clear)

  1. This science thing will never catch on. by Kenja · · Score: 1

    Just a fad really.

    Naw, its actually quite refreshing to see such events. I can only barely remember school science fairs that had any meaning, much less something on a state wide level. A nation wide science exposition sounds kick ass. Hope it inspires kids to learn something and grow up to be science nerds.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:This science thing will never catch on. by c0lo · · Score: 4, Informative

      Just a fad really.

      To put the things in perspective:
      - Science Festival - New York - population: 19 mils+; easy access - attendance in 2010 <200.000
      - Woodstock Festival - Bethel, NY - population < 5000; on a dairy farm - attendance in 1969 approx 500.000

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
  2. Celebrities... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    In other words, this is nothing more than a "YAY! Science!" in the Teen Girl Squad voice.

    1. Re:Celebrities... by tqk · · Score: 1

      I was wondering why that word had to be there as well (Lindsay Lohan? Will Smith maybe?).

      Then again, Neil de Grasse-Tyson (sp?), Steven Hawking, the Bad Science guy, and Carolyn Porco (et al) are all "celebrities" in their own right.

      --
      "Tongue tied and twisted, just an Earth bound misfit ..." -- Pink Floyd.
    2. Re:Celebrities... by Infiniti2000 · · Score: 1

      But, if having a chance, however small, of meeting a celebrity (whoever that may be) will encourage one schmuck of a parent to bring their kids out and if even one of those kids learns something then it'll all be worth it. No matter how silly or hyped up this might seem to you, this event can only be a Good Thing (tm) in my opinion.

  3. Weather by RazzleFrog · · Score: 2

    If you're going tonight you might want to check the weather. Tornado and severe weather warning for the city tonight.

    1. Re:Weather by VortexCortex · · Score: 2

      Why not just combat it with science? Stopping a storm or a tornado is simple, you just assume it's frame of reference.

  4. How many protesters... by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

    ...will be gathered outside?

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:How many protesters... by RazzleFrog · · Score: 2

      The religious right doesn't have much of a grasp on NYC. I wouldn't expect too many protesters.

    2. Re:How many protesters... by ChromeAeonium · · Score: 4, Funny

      Anti-science protesters come just as much from the left as the right. The only difference is the flavor of anti-science. The right protests evolutionary and climate science, and the left protests medical and agricultural science. Lest we forget, it is typically the hippie dippy moonbats who are protesting, say, vaccines.

  5. OMG Julie Taymor by dcollins · · Score: 1

    One of the featured guests is Julie Taymor, participating in "Beautiful Minds", on the exploration of "What exactly is genius?"

    Hint: NOT JULIE TAYMOR.

    http://worldsciencefestival.com/participants/julie_taymor

    --
    We know where leadership by an anti-intellectual "strongman" who scapegoats minorities and likes boisterous rallies goes