One of the lessons of history is that
— Will Durant
My new favorite website! Science comics by field naturalist Rosemary Mosco, who seems like a really awesome person and has made some really awesome nature comics. Hard to pick a favorite, since they’re all so great. I’ve spent the last few hours reading them all and then sending them to all of my friends. I love the combination of nature and art.
One of the biggest problems, to me, is that many people expect scientists to do all the public outreach for their research subjects. Some scientists are great at outreach, but we can’t expect them all to be interested in public relations, or to have the time for it! I think there should be more go-betweens — people called “science communicators” — who can help both sides. And art can play a part in making science clear to laypeople.”
– from an interview with Rosemary Mosco on The Birdist
This is exactly what I want to do (and what I’m currently applying to graduate school to do), only with words instead of art. Like with some of my animal poems. Yay for science communication!
One of my friends posted one of Rosemary’s comics on Facebook (bird sound mnemonics), which is how I have just now discovered this site. It’s fantastic! Check it out:
And in honor of the upcoming holiday season, here is a handy-dandy field guide you should probably print out and keep in your pocket for easy reference.
What messages do you try to focus on in your comics?
Hmm.
1. Nature is infinitely complicated.
2. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t also be funny and heartwarming.
3. So we should take care of it.
another excerpt from an interview with Speaking of Science.
Everglades National Park, Florida. 2009.
I have no doubt that one day I will be an old black vulture, my face a mass of wrinkles and sparse hair. I will sun myself along the boardwalk, and stare down anyone who gets too close. My walk, ungainly, slow, will take me along. I will pick apart dead things, old things, the decaying bits of conversation no one else wants. Those will be left for me, to have my way with. I will stare death in the face and not blink, I will circle it, be drawn to it, draw life from it.
It is how we gather, all of us, drawn together to bring life from death. To consume death, and become stronger because of it.
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
— Annie Dillard
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona.
Tales From A Wandering Albatross 