Not Exactly Rocket Science

About me and this blog

Who are you?

This blog is an outlet for my love of science and of writing. After leaving university with degree in hand, I made an abortive foray into research before realising that I much prefer to talk about science than to actually do it. I started the blog after realising that I like (a) science, (b) writing, and (c) the Internet, and thus, there was a fairly good chance that I would like (d) writing about science on the Internet.

What's the blog about?

This a news site - I cover breaking scientific discoveries in any field that interests me including animal behaviour, environmental science, psychology, neuroscience, evolution, genetics, molecular biology, medicine and more. The "rules" are as follows:

• Everything is written with a educated but non-scientific audience in mind. Regardless of their previous knowledge of science, should be able to rock up and find something they will enjoy.
• I only ever write from primary research papers, and never from press releases or news stories. Everything you read here is original. No churnalism allowed.
• I have to understand the science to a reasonable degree. If I can't actually comprehend the work myself, I have no place explaining it to someone else.
• I only write about things that excite me. I try to avoid sensationalism - if something sounds enthusiastic, it's because I'm genuinely excited about it.

If you want more details, try this post on why I blog and this one on what I think science's rightful place is.

My position is that science can be complicated, it should never have to be impenetrably so. It is a sad situation that new discoveries are all too often shrouded behind veils of jargon, elitism, confusion, sensationalism and inaccuracy. That hurts the perception of science, especially at a time where scientific knowledge is paramount. More than ever, the fundamental concepts that underlie evolution, global warming, vaccinations, cancer and more, are necessary for understanding the world around us, and making informed decisions about our lives.

This blog is my small attempt to celebrate the wonder of science and above all else, to make it as interesting and fun to any reader as it is to me.

What else do you do?

As well as blogging, I'm also a freelance science writer. After nabbing three consecutive runner-up prizes in the Daily Telegraph's Science Writer Awards, I finally won the competition in 2007 and have since written for Nature, Nature Network, New Scientist, the Economist and the Daily Telegraph.

Disclaimer: I currently work as an information officer at Cancer Research UK, where I get to keep up-to-date with new scientific research, write about it and get paid for my trouble. Sweet. The content, views and opinions in this blog in no way reflect those of Cancer Research UK.

How can I get in touch?

You can contact me at edyong209 AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk. By the way, if you're emailing for David Attenborough's contact details (happens with ridiculous frequency), sorry, I don't give them out.

What's the deal with comments?

The usual rules - you're free to comment or to express dissenting opinions. But keep it relevant and civil. Most people here are a friendly, knowledgeable bunch. Don't be inane, unless it's really funny ;-) I entirely reserve the right to kill your comments or your ability to leave them at my discretion, although I have *very* rarely done so. I may also deface your comment if you're being wilfully disruptive.