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Scientists — with their flesh-eating robots and whatnot — are always out to get us. Popular Science turns up the fear factor by telling us about five experiments and projects currently underway that (if exaggerated and misunderstood) could destroy human civilization. One example is a “love drug” that could strongly influence the way someone feels about another:
In 2005, researchers in Switzerland gave 29 test subjects a sniff of the neuropeptide oxytocin, a.k.a. the “love drug,” known to play a role in developing trust and social attachment in mammals, before having them play a financial investment game. The result? Almost half of the trust-primed oxy sniffers handed all their francs to an anonymous partner. Now insiders say the military may be in the process of weaponizing oxytocin and similar compounds.
WHY, GOD, WHY? Lead researcher Michael Kosfeld, who conducted the study at the University of Zurich, says the true value of oxytocin may be in treating people with social-anxiety disorder or to help relieve some symptoms of autism and Asperger’s syndrome. But Jonathan Moreno, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense, believes such a drug could find a place in facilitating interrogations and negotiations, or in ending armed conflicts.
Now let’s go burn down the observatory so this will never happen again!
Link | Image: NASA
Sanjay Kulkarni of Cowbirds in Love comic nailed it: "Mad scientists" are actually just mad engineers! Check out Sanjay’s website for more webcomic goodness: Link
Xylocopa addresses a serious deficiency in mad science education today:
Like many of you, we are concerned about the state of science education in the public school system, especially in the lower grades. Specifically, we have noticed that there is absolutely no training in the K-6 grades that prepares students to become mad scientists. In this competitive 21st-century world, the need for mad scientists will only increase, but the lack of basic education in primary school leaves us concerned that there will be no future students capable of leading in this illustrious field.
Fortunately, we have a solution – a first step, if you will, along the path to mad science proficiency. We are pleased to announce the release of our Young Mad Scientist’s First Alphabet Blocks. These lovely blocks contain many carefully engraved illustrations of the equipment, training, and activities that a budding mad scientist will require, combined with a clever alphabetic introduction to the concept depicted.
T is for Tentacles, O is for Organs, H is for Henchmen.
Link via Popped Culture
