The Last Word

3 – 7 February This week, Richard visits a museum that starts with a ship and ends at the universe. It’s not rocket science: Roberta explains again why, no, seriously, you need to put your phone away while you’re driving (you too, cyclists). Ann recounts the horrors of living in New Madrid, Missouri, a town […]

The Last Word

January 27 – 31 This week, Jessa explained who you can trust and who you can’t. Guest poster Ivan Amato showed us the refrigerator in Maryland that houses the biggest collection of frog skin secretions in the world. Helen found that a clean desk changes your behaviour. Thanks to Pete Seeger, Michelle says, a river […]

The Last Word

January 20 – 24 This week, Christie did us all the favour of dispensing with the notion that there are “best places to live.” Cassie had another go at “Three Cups of BS” Mortensen. Abstruse Goose and Ann contemplated why the best science is guaranteed to piss people off. I pondered whether everything isn’t a […]

Mustn’t Grumble

Looking for fun things to do around London? Here’s an idea: Find a Brit on a first date with an expat from New York. Your task could be challenging — Americans don’t know this but British people don’t go out on dates until they’re in a relationship — but there’s every chance some hapless Brit […]

The Last Word

January 13 – 17 This week, a modest proposal from Helen: Golden Globes, science writing edition. Cameron debated the merits of keeping a journal. Based on her observations on anemone, it’s a strong “yes please” from me. No big bang, ever? Guest poster Jeff Kanipe introduced us to Halton Arp, his galactic pathologies, and his […]

The Last Word

January 6 – 10 This week, Ann told the story of the first hero. She’s a girl, a Sumerian goddress, and she predates all the archetypes of what either heroes or girls should be. The internet told Christie where home is. Are you glad you don’t have to hear Christmas music for another year? Helen […]

The Last Word

23 – 27 December This week was LWON holiday review! (Translation: we give you the gift of some our favourite posts of 2013 and you give us the gift of a holiday. It’s like Gift of the Magi!) Richard explained why his dad really is older than the universe: and what that means for the […]

The last word

16 – 20 December This week, Erik reported on the state of science magazines in Mexico: aliens, conspiracy theories and Jesus in crisis. Note to self: move to Mexico. Michelle gave Bilbo Baggins a gender makeover. Cameron asked our esteemed readers for help with a head scratcher: why do the highest tides on winter fall […]