Could We Make Conferences Less Sucky?

This post first ran on June 16, 2011. It’s on my mind, because this week I’m at the Aspen Ideas Festival, which is also at the Aspen Institute and is similar in form to the Environment Forum I discuss in the post. *** I’m not a big fan of conferences. I loathe spending vast stretches […]

Spring Break

Oh spring — a time for renewal. I’m finally (mostly) home from book tour, and I’ve been taking a little break from the grind to breathe in and focus my attention on things that replenish my creative energy and make me feel connected and fully present in my place.  Perhaps the most soul-nourishing thing I’ve […]

We Need More Than A Tweet

It just happened again. My Twitter mentions blew up, because someone posted a tweet soliciting names of favorite female science writers after most of the students in a science communication class couldn’t come up with a single one. I have no doubt that the tweet was well-intentioned, but all I could think is, oh no, […]

Winter Theme Week: Why Is Falling So Funny?

This week, we’re celebrating the holiday by looking at some favorite wintry posts. On Feb 26, 2013, Christie considered why falling [for example, in the snow] is so funny. The other morning while we were walking our dogs, my husband slipped on some snow and fell down in front of me. One moment he was […]

Outdoors After Dark

This post originally ran on November 11, 2014. It’s 6 am on an early November morning, and I am tiptoeing up a juniper hillside with a rifle slung over my shoulder. I’m following Adam, my friend and guide, when suddenly he stops. “Listen.” It’s still completely dark, except for the sea of stars above us, […]