Popular Science (December 2006)

Popular science is a bridge between scientific literature as a professional medium of scientific research, and the realms of popular political and cultural discourse. The goal of the genre is often to capture the methods and accuracy of science, while making the language more accessible. Many science-related controversies are discussed in popular science books and publications, such as the long-running debates over biological determinism and the biological components of intelligence, stirred by popular books such as The Mismeasure of Man and The Bell Curve.[1] The purpose of scientific literature is to inform and persuade peers as to the validity of observations and conclusions and the forensic efficacy of methods. Popular science attempts to inform and convince scientific outsiders (sometimes along with scientists in other fields) of the significance of data and conclusions and to celebrate the results. Statements in scientific literature are often qualified and tentative, emphasizing Contents 9 Features 43 Best of What’s New 2006 43 Home Tech 43 Gadgets 50 Aviation & Space 56 Recreation 64 Auto Tech 73 Home Entertainment 82 Engineering 86 General Innovation 94 Health 98 Computing 104 Best of What’s New: POPSCI Innovators 47 The Tool-Doctors Are on Call 47 Rapid Development 70 The Tailgating Architect 93 The Organ Farmer 103 DR. Nail VS. The Monster 108 Regulars 18 MEGAPIXELS 18 The Must-See Photos of The Month 18 Headlines 23 Energy 23 Bigger, Better, Faster 26 Odd Inventions 28 Shrinkage 32 Astronomy 33 What’s The Big Idea? 34 How 2.0 117 You Built What?! 117 Gray Matter 125 Use It Better 126 Ask A Geek 129 FYI 131 The sound of genius, fat planets, and the risks of turning wind into watts 131 Other Stuff 12 From The Editor 12 Letters 14 The Future Then 164