Benjamin Franklin ventured out on a stormy day to fly a kite with a lightning rod and a key dangling on the end of the string. ... This famous myth is one of several tall tales in science history that Alberto Martinez, associate professor of history, examines in his new book *Science Secrets: The Truth about Darwin’s Finches, Einstein's Wife, and Other Myths*.
Alberto Martinez on the making of scientific myths: "Speculations evolve into alleged anecdotes that even lead to scholarly studies. Laypersons, scientists and history professors are all vulnerable to the charm of 'likely stories'." http://www.utexas.edu/know/2011/06/06/science_secrets/ Psychology (of course) is not immune from the dissemination of myths: http://www.snopes.com/science/skinner.asp Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=10895 or send a blank email to leave-10895-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
