Science is awesome, and we need it more than ever
I didn't become a scientist, but at least I'm writing about technology and science.
My childhood dream of becoming a scientist may not have come true, but at least I still love science and have built a career out of writing about technology and science.
In fact, on July 15, 2000, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology gave me a DOST Media Award in the Print Media category for my "valuable contributions to the popularization of science and technology through relevant, timely, and enterprising stories".
This was back when I was a science and technology reporter for the leading broadsheet in the Philippines, the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Dinosaurs and space
I’ve loved dinosaurs since I was a kid, and was fascinated with astronomy. “Cosmos” is one of my all-time favorite books and shows, and the late Carl Sagan one of my heroes.
“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.” These words of wisdom from Sagan during the very first episode of “Cosmos” have inspired me all my life. That show was one of the reasons I fell in love with science, and developed a lifelong belief in technology for good.
In fact, I’m proud that I became a member of The Planetary Society, the non-governmental and non-profit organization that he co-founded, whose current CEO is Bill Nye The Science Guy.
I joined The Planetary Society in 2018, and was ecstatic when LightSail 2 launched on June 25, 2019. This wasn’t just any spacecraft — this was one that I and thousands of other members and supporters around the world had contributed to making a reality.
This crowdfunded project to demonstrate the viability of solar sailing is a perfect example of how the organization is bringing space exploration to the grassroots and making ordinary people part of a global movement.
Quantum physics and jeepney rides
I’ve also been passionate about quantum physics since high school, and would have a blast talking about it with my friend and classmate Anthony.
We read books like “The Cosmic Code: Quantum Physics as the Language of Nature” by Heinz Pagels and “Other Worlds: Space, Superspace, and the Quantum Universe” by Paul Davies. We would geek out and discuss and debate quantum physics and other scientific theories even during our jeepney ride back home from our school, much to the consternation of our fellow passengers and sometimes even of the drivers.
That's why when I launched Digital Life Asia, I made sure that science would be one of the topics I would cover. I have a lifelong love affair with science, and I want to share this passion with others and encourage more people to embrace scientific knowledge.
If you love science like I do, head on over to Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell. Kurzgesagt is in a league of its own when it comes to creating informative, engaging and visually stunning “videos explaining things with optimistic nihilism”.
With the rise of anti-science sentiments and the epidemic of fact-resistant humans, it’s even more important to create engaging content about science and make scientific knowledge accessible to more people. Check out their Patreon page and consider becoming a patron to help Kurzgesagt continue making awesome science videos.
Science is awesome. I believe scientific knowledge is important now more than ever, to combat the gamut of anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, climate change deniers, flat Earthers, and so on. We have to defend science and help save lives.
Our future literally depends on it.
