Will Gerber
Are mental illnesses ‘contagious’ and can they be prevented through herd immunity?
All posts by William Gerber
Will Gerber Research Question
Will Gerber
wrg1@geneseo.edu
INTD: Science Writing
11/7/16
Dr. Jessica Fenn
The United States holds 5 percent of the global human population, but 25 percent of the world’s prison population. Does our uniquely high prison population have an overall positive or negative impact on life in America?
The Heart of The Arctic, Appendix I
Will Gerber
11/7/16
INTD: Science Writing
Dr. Jessica Fenn
Appendix 1 of Ernest Shackleton’s The Heart of the Arctic focuses on the discovery of microscopic living organisms in Antarctica’s frozen lakes. At the time, in the early twentieth century, this was a novel discovery, as people were shocked to find out that life could exist in such a harsh climate.
I thought it was fascinating to read about this discovery from a primary source. Learning about life that can survive in such severe environments puts our human ego into perspective. While we do need to make radical changes to our ways of living in order to save the environment, there is nothing we can do to end life on earth. The Heart of the Arctic blends the arts and sciences with its illustrations, depicting a barren wasteland that is actually a thriving ecosystem.
The Physiological Benefits of Singing
The Physiological Benefits of Singing
By Will Gerber
The National Institute of Health released a synopsis of studies that show possible health benefits in singing. Disorders with potential to be treated through singing include stuttering, aphasia, autism, and Parkinson’s disease. Mostly, singing helps to alleviate the symptoms of these disorders by establishing strong neural connections between auditory and sensorimotor areas in the brain. In addition, the breathing control involved in singing is linked to positive cardio-physiological fitness. While singing won’t be able to cure anyone’s illness by itself, studies show that it can be a promising therapeutic strategy.
This article fascinated me because I never really thought about speaking and singing as different functions. I am happy to realize that researchers are looking into these kind of new, out-of-the-box ideas.
“Whisper of the Wild” Synopsis
Will Gerber
wrg1@geneseo.edu
INTD: Science Writing
“Whisper of the Wild” Synopsis
By: Will Gerber
In her article “Whisper of the Wild”, Kim Tingley details her experience collecting the sounds of the natural world in Denali National Park, Alaska. She discusses how human made noise disrupts animals’ lifestyles by disturbing their circadian rhythms and blocking out the sound of predators and prey. By recording the sounds of the natural world, soundscape ecologists hope to develop an understanding of what the world should sound like, the first step in fixing the problem.
This article was eye opening for me as I never understood how sound pollution actually worked, much less how alarming it is. The next time I am out in nature, I will be sure to listen for human sounds.
Land Divided, Coast United
Will Gerber About 150 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
Josie Glausiusz’ “Land Divided, Coast United”
By Will Gerber
In her article “Land Divided, Coast United,” Josie Glausiusz describes Gaza’s need for upgraded water treatment facilities. She illustrates the impact of Israel’s restrictions on what can and can’t be brought into the state. Israel restricts many of the materials needed to build an effective treatment facility out of fear that they could be used to build weapons to harm the country. Despite this, without effective water treatment capabilities, Gaza will end up polluting the same water source that Israelis pull from, endangering their own country.
This article disheartens me. Of course I am bothered by the conflict, but I’m saddened that the only probable resolution is one that directly benefits the oppressor. Rather than aiding Palestine for the welfare of the Palestinian people, Israel will be forced to allow them basic necessities to protect themselves. This reminds me of the pollution of the Grasse river in my hometown, Massena NY.
Neurological Impact of of Poverty on Depression
Will Gerber About 240 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
Neurological Impact of of Poverty on Depression
By Will Gerber
Quality public-facing science writing appeals to readers by maintaining the complexity of the topic it is discussing without flying over the readers’ heads. Susan Scutti’s article “Effects Of Poverty Impact Gene Expression In The Brain” does this exceptionally well. It provides enough background on the topic for the reader to understand without being overwhelmed, and explains the results of the study in a similar fashion. It begins at the top, with a quick synopsis of DNA’s role in protein production, how chemical tags can modify the amount of a protein produced, and seamlessly connects these to the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin’s role in depression.
Scutti does not get into too much detail about the experimental process, but rather affirms its validity by describing its population size and bias removal (132 white teenagers from differing socioeconomic statuses). When relaying the experiment’s results, she returns to her introductory science lesson about protein production; “Teens growing up in impoverished households accumulated, over the course of three years, greater quantities of the chemical tag SLC6A4, the depression linked gene.”
To wrap up the article, Scutti outlines the importance of this specific study and describes further research. In doing this she makes the reader look forward to new developments in the field.
http://www.medicaldaily.com/effects-poverty-gene-expression-major-depression-387656
Bruno Latour on the Greek Tree; So What?
Will Gerber About 150 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
Bruno Latour on the Greek Tree; So What?
By Will Gerber
Readers of the critically acclaimed essay “The Greek Tree Was Never Modern” may come out with a number of questions about its argument and significance. Primarily, skeptics may question my claim that individuals do not need a diverse understanding of the sciences in order for all of us to function well collectively. From youth, we are taught that more knowledge means more success, and more fulfillment. I however, would make the claim that an incomplete understanding of any given field can potentially be more damaging than none, as biased information is much more effective on uninformed people. We can’t count on everyone to stay up to date on every new piece of information, but we can count on people to critique new developments in their individual interests.
Bruno Latour on The Greek Tree
Will Gerber About 160 Words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
Bruno Latour on The Greek Tree
By Will Gerber
If Bruno Latour were to pass by Geneseo’s Greek Tree, he would presumably take silent note of it and continue on his way. However, if he were asked to speculate on it, he would most likely talk about a boundary-defying product of hard science, power struggles, and human discourse.
Trees are a natural showcase of biology. What makes this particular tree unique, however, is its function as a medium for fraternal organizations. With limited space on the tree, campus associations must compete to make their letters the most noticeable if they want the most recruits. This dual purpose blends the human and natural sciences to the point that the tree would not fit into either category.
We Were Never Modern
Will Gerber 150 words
10 MacVittie Circle
Geneseo, New York 14454
(315) 250-9687
We Have Never Been Modern
By Will Gerber
The first chapter of Bruno Latour’s We Have Never Been Modern is a commentary on ‘modern’ society’s attempt to categorize existence into rigid sciences. Latour criticizes the way we insist upon dividing the social and natural sciences into two absolutely fixed and completely separate matters. He claims that the two are entirely codependent and should be studied and discussed as such
The Greek Tree in the center of campus is a fitting illustration of Latour’s argument. One may see the tree through a natural lens, studying it as a biological specimen, or, through a social lens, regarding fraternal organizations’ effort to recruit them. However, few modern people would observe the entire picture, the way that we used the natural world to further our social causes.