Eric Hamilton
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Eric Hamilton

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  • Blog/
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    • Academic Publications
    • Clips
    • Multimedia

Eric Hamilton

science writer

Blog

Eric Hamilton

  • Home/
  • Blog/
  • Publications and Clips/
    • Academic Publications
    • Clips
    • Multimedia
June 24, 2015

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June 24, 2015/
June 24, 2015/
  • Why my sources are (usually) happy ...
  • A Summer of Science Reporting
  • Home/
  • Blog/
  • Publications and Clips/
    • Academic Publications
    • Clips
    • Multimedia

Eric Hamilton

  • Eric Hamilton
    RT @UWMadScience: Tonight at 7 pm at Nomad World Pub in Madison, @hildug will be talking road salt and lakes for #scienceontapmadison… https://t.co/CCzErjopg3
    about a week ago
  • Eric Hamilton
    RT @UWMadScience: Tomorrow: -24 degrees at the South Pole, -29 in Madison. While @uw_icecube scientist Kathrin Mallot ran a half mara… https://t.co/PCYDTJMEdz
    about 2 weeks ago
  • Eric Hamilton
    It's been a big year here @UWMadison! https://t.co/xKK5apcMCX
    about a month ago
  • Science
    • Dec 12, 2015 Review: The Lives of a Cell Dec 12, 2015
    • Nov 12, 2015 Rewriting the fairy tale of science Nov 12, 2015
    • Sep 7, 2015 Ushering Science through the Media Sep 7, 2015
    • Sep 7, 2015 Why my sources are (usually) happy to talk to me Sep 7, 2015
    • Jun 1, 2015 A Summer of Science Reporting Jun 1, 2015
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Apr 16, 2015 Listening in on Plant Defenses Apr 16, 2015
    • Mar 1, 2015 Reaching Across the Gap with Curiosity Mar 1, 2015
    • Jan 31, 2015 Audio File #3: Getting Entangled in Invisibilia Jan 31, 2015
    • Jan 28, 2015 Keeping Spuds Safe--And Humans Too Jan 28, 2015
    • Dec 30, 2014 A Mathematical Explanation Why Valentine's Day Might Not Suck Dec 30, 2014
    • Nov 23, 2014 Biology, Everywhere Nov 23, 2014
    • Nov 10, 2014 Pollen in the Windy City Nov 10, 2014
    • Oct 22, 2014 Distilling the Discussion of Climate Change Oct 22, 2014
    • Sep 29, 2014 Narratives in Science Communication Sep 29, 2014
    • Sep 14, 2014 Climate Change and Midwest Agriculture Sep 14, 2014
    • Aug 24, 2014 Training Scientists as Members of Society Aug 24, 2014
    • Aug 2, 2014 The Spirit of Cosmos Aug 2, 2014
    • Mar 9, 2014 The Cosmos Mar 9, 2014
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
    • Aug 7, 2013 Sanity in Science Aug 7, 2013
    • Apr 21, 2013 Clinton Global Initative University Apr 21, 2013
    • Mar 12, 2013 Lindbergh HS Mar 12, 2013
    • Feb 19, 2013 Community Garden Summit Feb 19, 2013
    • Jan 27, 2013 Science in the Garden Jan 27, 2013
  • Plants
    • Sep 7, 2015 Ushering Science through the Media Sep 7, 2015
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Apr 16, 2015 Listening in on Plant Defenses Apr 16, 2015
    • Feb 21, 2015 Beer in the Garden Feb 21, 2015
    • Jan 28, 2015 Keeping Spuds Safe--And Humans Too Jan 28, 2015
    • Nov 10, 2014 Pollen in the Windy City Nov 10, 2014
    • Sep 14, 2014 Climate Change and Midwest Agriculture Sep 14, 2014
    • Mar 2, 2014 March Garden Plans Mar 2, 2014
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
    • May 11, 2013 Indoor/Outdoor Gardening May 11, 2013
    • Mar 12, 2013 Lindbergh HS Mar 12, 2013
    • Feb 19, 2013 Community Garden Summit Feb 19, 2013
    • Feb 13, 2013 Indoor Gardening Feb 13, 2013
    • Jan 27, 2013 Science in the Garden Jan 27, 2013
  • St. Louis
    • Apr 5, 2015 Visualizing Our Changing Cities Apr 5, 2015
    • Mar 29, 2015 Local Politics at Work: Celebrating Cycling in St. Louis Mar 29, 2015
    • Mar 15, 2015 Having an Impact: The Appeal of Mid-sized Cities to Millennials Mar 15, 2015
    • Mar 7, 2015 The Limits of the DOJ Ferguson Report in a Fractured Region Mar 7, 2015
    • Jan 13, 2015 A Divided St. Louis that Must Be Repaired Jan 13, 2015
    • Dec 14, 2014 Healing Through Art Dec 14, 2014
    • Aug 17, 2014 Reflections on Ferguson Aug 17, 2014
    • Aug 11, 2014 A Call for More Police Accountability Aug 11, 2014
    • Aug 10, 2014 Why I Bike Aug 10, 2014
    • Apr 28, 2014 Urban Part 2: Walkable Communities Apr 28, 2014
    • Apr 4, 2014 Cities, Population Density and White Flight Apr 4, 2014
    • Mar 25, 2014 Gentrification: Always a Dirty Word? Mar 25, 2014
    • Mar 16, 2014 Urban Media Mar 16, 2014
    • Jan 20, 2014 The Apotheosis of St. Louis Jan 20, 2014
  • Cities
    • Apr 5, 2015 Visualizing Our Changing Cities Apr 5, 2015
    • Mar 15, 2015 Having an Impact: The Appeal of Mid-sized Cities to Millennials Mar 15, 2015
    • Mar 7, 2015 The Limits of the DOJ Ferguson Report in a Fractured Region Mar 7, 2015
    • Aug 31, 2014 Audio File #1: Urban Cultures Aug 31, 2014
    • Apr 28, 2014 Urban Part 2: Walkable Communities Apr 28, 2014
    • Apr 4, 2014 Cities, Population Density and White Flight Apr 4, 2014
    • Mar 25, 2014 Gentrification: Always a Dirty Word? Mar 25, 2014
    • Mar 16, 2014 Urban Media Mar 16, 2014
    • Feb 20, 2014 Urban Income Inequality Feb 20, 2014
    • Jan 30, 2014 The Importance of Narrative Jan 30, 2014
    • Jan 20, 2014 The Apotheosis of St. Louis Jan 20, 2014
    • Jan 5, 2014 Urban, Part One: Urban Humanism Jan 5, 2014
  • Urban
    • Apr 5, 2015 Visualizing Our Changing Cities Apr 5, 2015
    • Mar 15, 2015 Having an Impact: The Appeal of Mid-sized Cities to Millennials Mar 15, 2015
    • Aug 31, 2014 Audio File #1: Urban Cultures Aug 31, 2014
    • Aug 10, 2014 Why I Bike Aug 10, 2014
    • Apr 28, 2014 Urban Part 2: Walkable Communities Apr 28, 2014
    • Apr 4, 2014 Cities, Population Density and White Flight Apr 4, 2014
    • Mar 25, 2014 Gentrification: Always a Dirty Word? Mar 25, 2014
    • Mar 16, 2014 Urban Media Mar 16, 2014
    • Feb 20, 2014 Urban Income Inequality Feb 20, 2014
    • Jan 30, 2014 The Importance of Narrative Jan 30, 2014
    • Jan 20, 2014 The Apotheosis of St. Louis Jan 20, 2014
    • Jan 5, 2014 Urban, Part One: Urban Humanism Jan 5, 2014
  • Media
    • Sep 7, 2015 Ushering Science through the Media Sep 7, 2015
    • Sep 7, 2015 Why my sources are (usually) happy to talk to me Sep 7, 2015
    • Jun 1, 2015 A Summer of Science Reporting Jun 1, 2015
    • Apr 26, 2015 Audio File #4: Civil, Civic Discussions Apr 26, 2015
    • Mar 1, 2015 Reaching Across the Gap with Curiosity Mar 1, 2015
    • Jan 31, 2015 Audio File #3: Getting Entangled in Invisibilia Jan 31, 2015
    • Oct 22, 2014 Distilling the Discussion of Climate Change Oct 22, 2014
    • Oct 13, 2014 Agreeing to Disagree Oct 13, 2014
    • Aug 2, 2014 The Spirit of Cosmos Aug 2, 2014
    • Mar 16, 2014 Urban Media Mar 16, 2014
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
  • Communication
    • Dec 12, 2015 Review: The Lives of a Cell Dec 12, 2015
    • Sep 7, 2015 Why my sources are (usually) happy to talk to me Sep 7, 2015
    • Jun 1, 2015 A Summer of Science Reporting Jun 1, 2015
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Apr 26, 2015 Audio File #4: Civil, Civic Discussions Apr 26, 2015
    • Mar 1, 2015 Reaching Across the Gap with Curiosity Mar 1, 2015
    • Oct 22, 2014 Distilling the Discussion of Climate Change Oct 22, 2014
    • Sep 29, 2014 Narratives in Science Communication Sep 29, 2014
  • Food
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Feb 21, 2015 Beer in the Garden Feb 21, 2015
    • Mar 2, 2014 March Garden Plans Mar 2, 2014
    • Feb 11, 2014 Labeling GMOs Feb 11, 2014
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
    • Feb 13, 2013 Indoor Gardening Feb 13, 2013
    • Jan 27, 2013 A (Rainy) Bloody Sunday Jan 27, 2013
  • GMO
    • Sep 7, 2015 Ushering Science through the Media Sep 7, 2015
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Feb 11, 2014 Labeling GMOs Feb 11, 2014
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
    • Mar 12, 2013 Lindbergh HS Mar 12, 2013
    • Feb 19, 2013 Community Garden Summit Feb 19, 2013
    • Jan 27, 2013 Science in the Garden Jan 27, 2013
  • Gardening
    • Feb 21, 2015 Beer in the Garden Feb 21, 2015
    • May 29, 2014 New Home, New Garden May 29, 2014
    • Mar 2, 2014 March Garden Plans Mar 2, 2014
    • May 11, 2013 Indoor/Outdoor Gardening May 11, 2013
    • Feb 19, 2013 Community Garden Summit Feb 19, 2013
    • Feb 13, 2013 Indoor Gardening Feb 13, 2013
    • Jan 27, 2013 Science in the Garden Jan 27, 2013
  • Audio
    • Apr 26, 2015 Audio File #4: Civil, Civic Discussions Apr 26, 2015
    • Mar 1, 2015 Reaching Across the Gap with Curiosity Mar 1, 2015
    • Jan 31, 2015 Audio File #3: Getting Entangled in Invisibilia Jan 31, 2015
    • Oct 13, 2014 Agreeing to Disagree Oct 13, 2014
    • Sep 21, 2014 Audio File #2: In the Dust of this Planet Sep 21, 2014
    • Aug 31, 2014 Audio File #1: Urban Cultures Aug 31, 2014
  • Ferguson
    • Mar 7, 2015 The Limits of the DOJ Ferguson Report in a Fractured Region Mar 7, 2015
    • Jan 13, 2015 A Divided St. Louis that Must Be Repaired Jan 13, 2015
    • Dec 14, 2014 Healing Through Art Dec 14, 2014
    • Aug 17, 2014 Reflections on Ferguson Aug 17, 2014
    • Aug 11, 2014 A Call for More Police Accountability Aug 11, 2014
  • Agriculture
    • May 10, 2015 Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs? May 10, 2015
    • Jan 28, 2015 Keeping Spuds Safe--And Humans Too Jan 28, 2015
    • Sep 14, 2014 Climate Change and Midwest Agriculture Sep 14, 2014
  • Education
    • Aug 24, 2014 Training Scientists as Members of Society Aug 24, 2014
    • Apr 21, 2013 Clinton Global Initative University Apr 21, 2013
    • Mar 12, 2013 Lindbergh HS Mar 12, 2013
  • Legal
    • Feb 11, 2014 Labeling GMOs Feb 11, 2014
    • Mar 5, 2013 Update to First Sale Doctrine Mar 5, 2013
    • Jan 29, 2013 Endangered First Sale Doctrine Jan 29, 2013
  • Outreach
    • Jun 1, 2015 A Summer of Science Reporting Jun 1, 2015
    • Feb 21, 2015 Beer in the Garden Feb 21, 2015
    • Mar 12, 2013 Lindbergh HS Mar 12, 2013
  • Spring
    • Mar 2, 2014 March Garden Plans Mar 2, 2014
    • May 11, 2013 Indoor/Outdoor Gardening May 11, 2013
    • Feb 13, 2013 Indoor Gardening Feb 13, 2013
  • Technology
    • Jan 15, 2014 The Changing and Static Nature of GMO Coverage Jan 15, 2014
    • Feb 23, 2013 Surface Feb 23, 2013
    • Feb 5, 2013 PC Convergence: Compromise or Destiny? Feb 5, 2013
  • Biking
    • Mar 29, 2015 Local Politics at Work: Celebrating Cycling in St. Louis Mar 29, 2015
    • Aug 10, 2014 Why I Bike Aug 10, 2014
  • Carriers
    • Mar 5, 2013 Update to First Sale Doctrine Mar 5, 2013
    • Jan 29, 2013 Endangered First Sale Doctrine Jan 29, 2013
  • Energy
    • Oct 22, 2014 Distilling the Discussion of Climate Change Oct 22, 2014
    • Oct 6, 2014 Towers of Illinois Oct 6, 2014
  • Microsoft
    • Feb 23, 2013 Surface Feb 23, 2013
    • Feb 5, 2013 PC Convergence: Compromise or Destiny? Feb 5, 2013
  • Mobile
    • Mar 5, 2013 Update to First Sale Doctrine Mar 5, 2013
    • Jan 29, 2013 Endangered First Sale Doctrine Jan 29, 2013
  • Seasons
    • Feb 14, 2015 Update: Valentine's Day Isn't Completely Terrible Feb 14, 2015
    • Dec 30, 2014 A Mathematical Explanation Why Valentine's Day Might Not Suck Dec 30, 2014
  • Tablets
    • Feb 23, 2013 Surface Feb 23, 2013
    • Feb 5, 2013 PC Convergence: Compromise or Destiny? Feb 5, 2013
  • Valentine's Day
    • Feb 14, 2015 Update: Valentine's Day Isn't Completely Terrible Feb 14, 2015
    • Dec 30, 2014 A Mathematical Explanation Why Valentine's Day Might Not Suck Dec 30, 2014
  • WUSTL
    • Apr 16, 2015 Listening in on Plant Defenses Apr 16, 2015
    • Mar 1, 2015 Reaching Across the Gap with Curiosity Mar 1, 2015
  • Apple
    • Feb 5, 2013 PC Convergence: Compromise or Destiny? Feb 5, 2013
  • Brewing
    • Feb 21, 2015 Beer in the Garden Feb 21, 2015
  • CGI
    • Apr 21, 2013 Clinton Global Initative University Apr 21, 2013
  • Clinton
    • Apr 21, 2013 Clinton Global Initative University Apr 21, 2013
  • Cocktails
    • Jan 27, 2013 A (Rainy) Bloody Sunday Jan 27, 2013
  • Laptops
    • Feb 5, 2013 PC Convergence: Compromise or Destiny? Feb 5, 2013
  • MMF
    • Jun 1, 2015 A Summer of Science Reporting Jun 1, 2015
  • Painting
    • Oct 14, 2015 Oh happy meat, Oh happy soul. Oct 14, 2015
  • Smartphones
    • Jan 29, 2013 Endangered First Sale Doctrine Jan 29, 2013
  • Surface
    • Feb 23, 2013 Surface Feb 23, 2013
Featured
What does it mean to have affordable housing?
Apr 28, 2018
What does it mean to have affordable housing?
Apr 28, 2018

If you’re looking to buy a house, you probably want to know how affordable homes are in your city. So what makes for an affordable housing market? Look to the average price — and the average income.

Apr 28, 2018
Idealism and Tech: Modern Dating
Dec 31, 2015
Idealism and Tech: Modern Dating
Dec 31, 2015

Dating — online or off — is frustrating and bewildering, a long and tearful journey to a great partner. While technology has absolutely transformed how we find potential dates, the most significant change is cultural. Instead of settling down with someone “good enough” we ask so much from our partners now that it’s only natural the search for them is arduous.

Dec 31, 2015
Review: The Lives of a Cell
Dec 12, 2015
Review: The Lives of a Cell
Dec 12, 2015
Dec 12, 2015
Nov 12, 2015
Rewriting the fairy tale of science
Nov 12, 2015

Nobel Prize-winner Marty Chalfie explains how science is really done through the story of one of the most important breakthroughs in modern biology: green fluorescent protein, GFP.

Nov 12, 2015
Oh happy meat, Oh happy soul.
Oct 14, 2015
Oh happy meat, Oh happy soul.
Oct 14, 2015

Re-reading a Vonnegut novel about abstract impressionism inspires my very first painting experience, mistakes and all. 

Oct 14, 2015
Sep 7, 2015
Ushering Science through the Media
Sep 7, 2015
Sep 7, 2015
Sep 7, 2015
Why my sources are (usually) happy to talk to me
Sep 7, 2015
Sep 7, 2015
A Summer of Science Reporting
Jun 1, 2015
A Summer of Science Reporting
Jun 1, 2015
Jun 1, 2015
Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs?
May 10, 2015
Can A 10,000-Year-Old GMO Change How We Think About GMOs?
May 10, 2015

Sweet potatoes are naturally transgenic. Does this change what natural and transgenic should mean?

May 10, 2015
Apr 26, 2015
Audio File #4: Civil, Civic Discussions
Apr 26, 2015

Our conversations about civic matters—economic policies, schooling systems, religion, science, and social institutions—are severely lacking in nuance and reasoned debate. Instead, what flourishes are simplistic arguments and ad hominem attacks. This trend is strengthened by a media environment where we can easily consume pieces tailored to our point of view, avoiding challenge and change.

 

On Being is a weekly public radio show hosted by Krista Tippett ostensibly about religion and spirituality, but now the host of a broader series of discussions called the Civil Conversations Project. I used to turn off On Being when it came on my radio Sunday afternoons, put off by the wispy quality, assuming it was a liberal echo chamber of feel-good, empty spirituality.

 

But as I would listen in snippets, or accidentally turn it on in the car, I found it to be a series of careful, respectful dialogues about difficult subjects, with religion, of course, among the trickiest.

 

So it did not altogether surprise me to find myself enchanted by arecent episode on gay marriage, which really became a window into how to have civil debates. An interview of David Blankenhorn and Jonathon Rauch—originally on opposite sides of the gay marriage debate, and now friends in agreement on many issues—the discussion covered David’s changed mind on gay marriage, but much more interestingly their process of what they called “achieving disagreement.”

 

For this post I really want to excerpt some longer segments that, I think, speak for themselves. I encourage listening to the full episode. To have two people agree about how to disagree, that are intellectually honest in their point of view and empathetic enough to consider the other side is tragically rare these days and models a better way to converse. I think we can learn from them how to continue to passionately disagree while remaining not just polite, but truly civil.

 

Following are minimally-edited excerpts.

Apr 26, 2015