What interests the general public in Chemistry?
January 15, 2011 6:37 PM Subscribe
What would you like to read about Chemistry (and maybe science in general) from a non-scientist POV?
I am a Chemistry graduate student, and I love sharing my love for Chemistry (and science) with everyone. I keep trying to start writing a blog about Chemistry (and maybe science in general?) for the general public. What would you like to see? Posts on general topics, current events, etc? Should I stick to just Chemistry or do all science in general? I was thinking just Chemistry to keep myself in a niche. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who can see themselves reading a blog like this.
I am a Chemistry graduate student, and I love sharing my love for Chemistry (and science) with everyone. I keep trying to start writing a blog about Chemistry (and maybe science in general?) for the general public. What would you like to see? Posts on general topics, current events, etc? Should I stick to just Chemistry or do all science in general? I was thinking just Chemistry to keep myself in a niche. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who can see themselves reading a blog like this.
I took a course in university that was all about the basic chemistry of food and drugs. We studied things like how vitamins work and how cold medications operate (and which ones to choose depending on the problem you have). Understanding how everyday things work is neat!
posted by analog at 6:43 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by analog at 6:43 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Should I stick to just Chemistry or do all science in general?
You've got a much better chance at having an interesting blog if you specialize. If I stumble across a General Science blog run by a single person, I am not particularly likely to keep reading it unless it is damn good. To do a worthwhile general science blog you need at least a few specialists. On the other hand, I'm much more likely to give a change to a chemistry blog written by a single chemistry-person. A single human being can hope to cover that domain much better than Science in general.
Also, I want videos of science experiments that look awesome. I'm talking about stuff blowing up, etc. You don't have to actually perform them, but a regular "I found this awesome-looking experiment on YouTube" is something I would subscribe for alone.
posted by griphus at 6:57 PM on January 15, 2011
You've got a much better chance at having an interesting blog if you specialize. If I stumble across a General Science blog run by a single person, I am not particularly likely to keep reading it unless it is damn good. To do a worthwhile general science blog you need at least a few specialists. On the other hand, I'm much more likely to give a change to a chemistry blog written by a single chemistry-person. A single human being can hope to cover that domain much better than Science in general.
Also, I want videos of science experiments that look awesome. I'm talking about stuff blowing up, etc. You don't have to actually perform them, but a regular "I found this awesome-looking experiment on YouTube" is something I would subscribe for alone.
posted by griphus at 6:57 PM on January 15, 2011
Yeah, stick with what you know, you're more likely to have better posts that way.
I love hearing how science evolves- like, what things did we USED to do or use, that have changed over time? How did they improve, what makes them different? ("We used to use this chemical, now we do this!").
Things that are non-intuitively complicated - that is, "Oh, we want to do X, which seems simple, but because of factors Y & Z, we actually have to do all these things first, to make sure X can even happen".
Common mistakes or problems in the field of chemistry!
Things where chemistry affects other fields that people don't expect. etc.
posted by yeloson at 7:09 PM on January 15, 2011
I love hearing how science evolves- like, what things did we USED to do or use, that have changed over time? How did they improve, what makes them different? ("We used to use this chemical, now we do this!").
Things that are non-intuitively complicated - that is, "Oh, we want to do X, which seems simple, but because of factors Y & Z, we actually have to do all these things first, to make sure X can even happen".
Common mistakes or problems in the field of chemistry!
Things where chemistry affects other fields that people don't expect. etc.
posted by yeloson at 7:09 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: For years I've wished for / fantasized about creating (though I'm unqualified) a web site explaining the ingredients in shampoos and conditioners and what they do. What am I missing if I use a basic, "natural" shampoo? Is there a reason it's so difficult to find unscented ones - do some of the chemicals naturally smell bad? Why is it so hard to find shampoos and conditioners with out alcohol in them, even though almost everybody who comments about hair care says to avoid them -- and does that mean any and all ingredients ending in -ol?
Look, I know it may seem frivolous, but most Americans use shampoo and/or conditioner every. single. day. and we have no idea what's in it. None. I only recently found out about propylene glycol being a common ingredient and something a lot of people have a sensitivity to.
Also, the main surfactants in there seem to all be permutations of a few major chemicals -- what's up with that? What are the effects of methylisothiapropylzolinone vs. methylethylisothiaproplyzolinone (I made up these words, but you get the idea - subtle variation)? Is there an easy way to look up this information myself for a particular label?
posted by amtho at 7:17 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Look, I know it may seem frivolous, but most Americans use shampoo and/or conditioner every. single. day. and we have no idea what's in it. None. I only recently found out about propylene glycol being a common ingredient and something a lot of people have a sensitivity to.
Also, the main surfactants in there seem to all be permutations of a few major chemicals -- what's up with that? What are the effects of methylisothiapropylzolinone vs. methylethylisothiaproplyzolinone (I made up these words, but you get the idea - subtle variation)? Is there an easy way to look up this information myself for a particular label?
posted by amtho at 7:17 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also - why does even pump hair spray give me a headache? Why is it almost never unscented?
And how about those deodorants? What's the biochemical interaction between the aluminum compound in them and a human sweat gland?
posted by amtho at 7:18 PM on January 15, 2011
And how about those deodorants? What's the biochemical interaction between the aluminum compound in them and a human sweat gland?
posted by amtho at 7:18 PM on January 15, 2011
People love danger, they love taboo. Explosives, poisons, radioactivity, corrosives, drugs, propellants, cryogens, horrible smells - basically, if it would have the SWAT team trying to look up the Fantastic Four's number to come deal with you, 'cuz they don't wanna, the public would love to read about it.
Actually, that would be awesome. The lab notebook of a supervillain! Only written by a real life chemist teaching real life chemical principals... I'd buy three copies, one for me, one for my nephew, and one for my buddy who digs that sort of stuff, too.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:04 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually, that would be awesome. The lab notebook of a supervillain! Only written by a real life chemist teaching real life chemical principals... I'd buy three copies, one for me, one for my nephew, and one for my buddy who digs that sort of stuff, too.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:04 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Errr... principles. But don't let that stop the supervillain from learning those Principals a thing or two about the true power of chemistry...
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:05 PM on January 15, 2011
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:05 PM on January 15, 2011
Response by poster: Great suggestions everyone! I'm really excited to get this going now. Any name ideas? Scientifics, Everyday Chemistry, or something else?
posted by stevechemist at 8:09 PM on January 15, 2011
posted by stevechemist at 8:09 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: Environmental chemistry - general information about why an oil spill is bad for mammals and birds, what dispersants are.
Food is great, cooking, alcohol, health. As with most anything, keep your audience in mind and write it for what they care about most (themselves is always a good bet, hence health).
The name should include chemistry. Better Living Through Chemistry is almost certainly taken, sadly, but Everyday Chemistry isn't bad.
posted by ldthomps at 8:31 PM on January 15, 2011
Food is great, cooking, alcohol, health. As with most anything, keep your audience in mind and write it for what they care about most (themselves is always a good bet, hence health).
The name should include chemistry. Better Living Through Chemistry is almost certainly taken, sadly, but Everyday Chemistry isn't bad.
posted by ldthomps at 8:31 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: Specific to chemistry is better than general science. But really? us non chemistry types are not going to slag you (or maybe even notice) if you push the limits beyond chemistry into other types of science every once in a while- especially if it's really cool.
Also, I like science as a process. Who does it? How do we know? How has that changed? What do scientists do? What do scientists disagree about or were wrong about? In particular how all of these relate to my day to day life. What are the things that we go about in our normal every day lives but never notice what a chemistry perspective would reveal?
I was stunned to find out that most of the ingredients in most moisturizers are only there because companies want to add water to extend the product and that this meant that emulsifiers and preservatives etc. were then required.
I would find this really interesting, but I don't really consider myself interested in chemistry. If you'd have asked me point blank- would you be interested in a chemistry blog? I'd have said no (my son on the other hand would beg for it). But reading this tells me that in fact I would be interested. Name your blog in a way that doesn't make it inaccessible.
posted by kch at 8:34 PM on January 15, 2011
Also, I like science as a process. Who does it? How do we know? How has that changed? What do scientists do? What do scientists disagree about or were wrong about? In particular how all of these relate to my day to day life. What are the things that we go about in our normal every day lives but never notice what a chemistry perspective would reveal?
I was stunned to find out that most of the ingredients in most moisturizers are only there because companies want to add water to extend the product and that this meant that emulsifiers and preservatives etc. were then required.
I would find this really interesting, but I don't really consider myself interested in chemistry. If you'd have asked me point blank- would you be interested in a chemistry blog? I'd have said no (my son on the other hand would beg for it). But reading this tells me that in fact I would be interested. Name your blog in a way that doesn't make it inaccessible.
posted by kch at 8:34 PM on January 15, 2011
Things that go boom, look cool, or glow. Look up 'The chemical battlefield', that type of thing is going to get peoples attention. I personally also like cloud chambers, though you need a bit of uranium or radium to make them look interesting.
posted by Canageek at 8:49 PM on January 15, 2011
posted by Canageek at 8:49 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: Write about chemistry mistakes. Why did the Hindenberg use hydrogen? Seriously, why? What are the possible advantages to make someone ignore the obvious explosive effects?
Write about chemistry from a perspective of sensations. We've all seen the Hindenberg film in black-and-white. But hydrogen burns bright, electric orange. That must have looked totally bizarre and unexpected to most people.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:54 PM on January 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Write about chemistry from a perspective of sensations. We've all seen the Hindenberg film in black-and-white. But hydrogen burns bright, electric orange. That must have looked totally bizarre and unexpected to most people.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:54 PM on January 15, 2011 [2 favorites]
Chemistry: beyond the glamour of the lab
The Chemist Next Door
Chemistry without studying
posted by amtho at 9:10 PM on January 15, 2011
The Chemist Next Door
Chemistry without studying
posted by amtho at 9:10 PM on January 15, 2011
The Local Chemist
posted by griphus at 9:16 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by griphus at 9:16 PM on January 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
Will think about titles. But I just thought about something specific I'd like to read on a blog such as yours. Using Newton's Law of Cooling (or something), I'd like you to tell me what is the earliest time I can get away with making my coffee in the morning and still have it be a lovely hot temperature when I get to work, considering all of the following:
-I get up at 05:30 and need to be at work by 07:30 - I can drive to work in 10 minutes
-I preheat this thermo mug by pouring hot water into it, and leave it that way until the coffee is ready
-I briefly add hot water to this coffee maker and pour it out;
-I rinse one of these filters with hot water and place it into the coffee maker;
-I fill this kettle about half way full (no exact measurement, sorry) and heat it on the stove;
-when the kettle whistles, I take it off the burner and grind some coffee (again, done with my eye, not sure of measurements), which takes about 30 seconds;
-then I pour water through the filter (I pour a bit of water in so the coffee can bloom, wait about 10 seconds, then go for it - I fill the coffee maker about 1/3 full);
-I pour out the hot water from the thermo mug and pour the coffee inside it (by the way, there is always extra coffee and hot water left over)
-I add one sugar cube and stir the coffee, and put on the lid to the mug.
I can measure the coffee and water the next time I do it if it'll help.
I'm asking this because sometimes I'm out and about between getting up and going to work, and it'd be nice to be able to make my coffee earlier and take it with me if it will stay hot enough until I get to work. I know that the target brewing temp for coffee is between 198-204 degrees fahrenheit (see here), and obviously my coffee isn't going to stay that hot, but I do like it pretty hot. It'd be interesting to hear that based upon my brewing method, the coffee will go down x number of degrees every 5 minutes or something like that.
thanks stevechemist! I'll look for your blog some time in the future.
posted by analog at 9:24 PM on January 15, 2011
-I get up at 05:30 and need to be at work by 07:30 - I can drive to work in 10 minutes
-I preheat this thermo mug by pouring hot water into it, and leave it that way until the coffee is ready
-I briefly add hot water to this coffee maker and pour it out;
-I rinse one of these filters with hot water and place it into the coffee maker;
-I fill this kettle about half way full (no exact measurement, sorry) and heat it on the stove;
-when the kettle whistles, I take it off the burner and grind some coffee (again, done with my eye, not sure of measurements), which takes about 30 seconds;
-then I pour water through the filter (I pour a bit of water in so the coffee can bloom, wait about 10 seconds, then go for it - I fill the coffee maker about 1/3 full);
-I pour out the hot water from the thermo mug and pour the coffee inside it (by the way, there is always extra coffee and hot water left over)
-I add one sugar cube and stir the coffee, and put on the lid to the mug.
I can measure the coffee and water the next time I do it if it'll help.
I'm asking this because sometimes I'm out and about between getting up and going to work, and it'd be nice to be able to make my coffee earlier and take it with me if it will stay hot enough until I get to work. I know that the target brewing temp for coffee is between 198-204 degrees fahrenheit (see here), and obviously my coffee isn't going to stay that hot, but I do like it pretty hot. It'd be interesting to hear that based upon my brewing method, the coffee will go down x number of degrees every 5 minutes or something like that.
thanks stevechemist! I'll look for your blog some time in the future.
posted by analog at 9:24 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: I have a scientific background but always hated chemistry as taught in hs/university.
As everybody else has said, specialization is great for a blog, but I wouldn't worry too much about treading on the toes of physics/biology/materials science/etc.
I'd be interested in reading about:
* description of really elegant (but accessible) experimental methodology ... "you've been told this is true - here's how the scientists figured it out"
* as everybody else has mentioned, explanations of things we run into everyday and take for granted. Current events too, but make sure you have a unique angle/qualification in this case.
* history of (and alternative uses of) various substances
You might want to check out the book "napopleon's buttons" for some inspiration. Rather than dealing with current events, it looks at how specific developments in chemistry affected history.
Please memail me with a link once you get this going!
posted by Metasyntactic at 9:50 PM on January 15, 2011
As everybody else has said, specialization is great for a blog, but I wouldn't worry too much about treading on the toes of physics/biology/materials science/etc.
I'd be interested in reading about:
* description of really elegant (but accessible) experimental methodology ... "you've been told this is true - here's how the scientists figured it out"
* as everybody else has mentioned, explanations of things we run into everyday and take for granted. Current events too, but make sure you have a unique angle/qualification in this case.
* history of (and alternative uses of) various substances
You might want to check out the book "napopleon's buttons" for some inspiration. Rather than dealing with current events, it looks at how specific developments in chemistry affected history.
Please memail me with a link once you get this going!
posted by Metasyntactic at 9:50 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: 1. What chemicals are in everyday things we have at home - different types of plastics, refrigerator, different paints, elements in computers, lcds, cd players, etc. How are they all made.
2. Add personal notes to coverage of news in chemistry, e.g. there's a video series about all chemical elements and when a chemistry professor was talking about one element, he mentioned that he really liked it because when he started working on it, he had a few quick and easy successes and he talked a bit about them. It's really great to add touches like that to keep material from being too dry.
posted by rainy at 9:58 PM on January 15, 2011
2. Add personal notes to coverage of news in chemistry, e.g. there's a video series about all chemical elements and when a chemistry professor was talking about one element, he mentioned that he really liked it because when he started working on it, he had a few quick and easy successes and he talked a bit about them. It's really great to add touches like that to keep material from being too dry.
posted by rainy at 9:58 PM on January 15, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for everyone's help! For those of you who are interested, you can find Everyday Chemistry at everydaychem.com. I'm interested in any feedback as well!
posted by stevechemist at 10:07 PM on January 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by stevechemist at 10:07 PM on January 15, 2011 [4 favorites]
Best answer: people always like a good story. i'd reccommend that you check out the particle explosion (mostly about physics...but they use atoms in chemistry too, dont they?) it did a very interesting job of telling the stories of the PEOPLE behind the discoveries, alternated with chapters on the particles themselves...an approach you might find interesting...also check out the bbc show "connections" ...relating unfamiliar conceps to more familiar ones is always good for making science more approachable...
and start small...you don't want to fall victim to tl;dr...three or four paragraphs with as many good links would be a good starting place...if your stories get longer, break them up with a 'more tommorow' or 'to be continued' it's a hackneyed trick, yes, but it will keep them coming back. and don't forget pictures...if you need a good illustrator, let me know...sounds like it could be a fun project...
also, second the idea of 'what the hell is this crap in my shampoo/twinkies/furniture polish/etc' but i wouldnt limit it to just that...
posted by sexyrobot at 11:04 PM on January 15, 2011
and start small...you don't want to fall victim to tl;dr...three or four paragraphs with as many good links would be a good starting place...if your stories get longer, break them up with a 'more tommorow' or 'to be continued' it's a hackneyed trick, yes, but it will keep them coming back. and don't forget pictures...if you need a good illustrator, let me know...sounds like it could be a fun project...
also, second the idea of 'what the hell is this crap in my shampoo/twinkies/furniture polish/etc' but i wouldnt limit it to just that...
posted by sexyrobot at 11:04 PM on January 15, 2011
Best answer: One thing I've long wanted to know as a non-chemist (specifically for a story I may write someday) is when diagramming the structure of a molecule, what is the simplest a diagram may be and still provide enough information for a sophisticated lab to produce the substance?
posted by wjm at 12:49 AM on January 16, 2011
posted by wjm at 12:49 AM on January 16, 2011
Best answer: Things I'd be interested in
-chemistry of every day news issues - alternative fuels, emissions testing for cars, pesticides
-chemistry myths, obviously a lot of things we think involving chemistry are wrong, like lather not being necessary for good soaps, and commonly incorrect beliefs featured on snopes, like teeth dissolving in coke.
-Just what do chemists DO anyway? What are considered to be interesting and ongoing problems in the world of chemistry?
-The natural vs. processed food health debate, is there any chemical difference between a natural versus artificially created substance? Are chemicals going to kill us all?
-Why the long and hard to pronounce names?
-If you could take the contribution to science of any famous chemist, what was the importance of their discovery beyond advancing their field, and how does that translate to what is happening today?
-If there are any interesting stories involving research, discoveries or famous figures (could be present day too) I'd be pretty interested in that too.
-baking and foods, with recipes
Please use lot of pictures! And a sense of humor.
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:30 AM on January 16, 2011
-chemistry of every day news issues - alternative fuels, emissions testing for cars, pesticides
-chemistry myths, obviously a lot of things we think involving chemistry are wrong, like lather not being necessary for good soaps, and commonly incorrect beliefs featured on snopes, like teeth dissolving in coke.
-Just what do chemists DO anyway? What are considered to be interesting and ongoing problems in the world of chemistry?
-The natural vs. processed food health debate, is there any chemical difference between a natural versus artificially created substance? Are chemicals going to kill us all?
-Why the long and hard to pronounce names?
-If you could take the contribution to science of any famous chemist, what was the importance of their discovery beyond advancing their field, and how does that translate to what is happening today?
-If there are any interesting stories involving research, discoveries or famous figures (could be present day too) I'd be pretty interested in that too.
-baking and foods, with recipes
Please use lot of pictures! And a sense of humor.
posted by everyday_naturalist at 1:30 AM on January 16, 2011
Best answer: Who will your site be aimed at? Some of the things people have listed might interest certain kinds of adult, but probably not kids, and vice versa.
As for me personally, some things I'd like to read about...
- Liquid metallic hydrogen. What? (You could explain the nature of liquids and metals, and how a substance that is "normally" a gas can end up liquid and metallic. Probably a whole series of articles explaining various ideas and examples.)
- Lesser known elements and their uses. (There are a lot of elements we've all come across just as names in the periodic table, but have no real idea what their properties or uses might be.)
- Acidity and the body. (Why are there strong acids in the body? What exactly s an acid anyway? How is acidity regulated in the body?)
- Desert Island chemistry. If you were stuck on a desert island or other remote place, what are some interesting and useful things to know about chemistry? Without all the apparatus of modern industrial civilization, what useful things might you be able to find or make for yourself?
- Chemistry in fiction. Anything from poisons in murder mysteries to potions in Harry Potter.
posted by philipy at 8:22 AM on January 16, 2011
As for me personally, some things I'd like to read about...
- Liquid metallic hydrogen. What? (You could explain the nature of liquids and metals, and how a substance that is "normally" a gas can end up liquid and metallic. Probably a whole series of articles explaining various ideas and examples.)
- Lesser known elements and their uses. (There are a lot of elements we've all come across just as names in the periodic table, but have no real idea what their properties or uses might be.)
- Acidity and the body. (Why are there strong acids in the body? What exactly s an acid anyway? How is acidity regulated in the body?)
- Desert Island chemistry. If you were stuck on a desert island or other remote place, what are some interesting and useful things to know about chemistry? Without all the apparatus of modern industrial civilization, what useful things might you be able to find or make for yourself?
- Chemistry in fiction. Anything from poisons in murder mysteries to potions in Harry Potter.
posted by philipy at 8:22 AM on January 16, 2011
Best answer: A lecturer once mentioned in passing, that a compound - sadly, I forget it's name, used to be in liquid form at room temperature. Then, for reasons that no one understood, it began to appear in solid form at room temperature, apparently everywhere at once.
I now wonder if this was true. By the time I started wondering about this, I could not remember the name of the compound and so can't research this myself. Point here is, if strange things like this do happen naturally, I would love to read more about this, and why this should be.
posted by w.fugawe at 9:36 AM on January 16, 2011
I now wonder if this was true. By the time I started wondering about this, I could not remember the name of the compound and so can't research this myself. Point here is, if strange things like this do happen naturally, I would love to read more about this, and why this should be.
posted by w.fugawe at 9:36 AM on January 16, 2011
Response by poster: I have made my first post! Any feedback would be great! Everyday Chemistry
posted by stevechemist at 7:00 PM on January 16, 2011
posted by stevechemist at 7:00 PM on January 16, 2011
Do you want feedback here, or on the blog?
I guess my main feedback is to re-iterate my earlier question: Who is this aimed at?
I think your language is likely to be intimidating for the non-scientist. Can you throw around phrases like "thermal decomposition" or do you need to be explaining "how heat breaks chemicals down"? Can you take for granted that people are comfortable talking about "acids", "bases" and "salts" with no further explanation?
As it stands, the article is probably more intelligible to people who understand chemistry and want to hear how it applies to cooking than it is to cooks who are intrigued to know about the chemistry involved. And it's clearly not for kids at all, who are probably neither knowledgeable about cooking nor chemistry.
This may all be fine depending on your intended audience, but it's worth thinking about.
posted by philipy at 8:31 AM on January 17, 2011
I guess my main feedback is to re-iterate my earlier question: Who is this aimed at?
I think your language is likely to be intimidating for the non-scientist. Can you throw around phrases like "thermal decomposition" or do you need to be explaining "how heat breaks chemicals down"? Can you take for granted that people are comfortable talking about "acids", "bases" and "salts" with no further explanation?
As it stands, the article is probably more intelligible to people who understand chemistry and want to hear how it applies to cooking than it is to cooks who are intrigued to know about the chemistry involved. And it's clearly not for kids at all, who are probably neither knowledgeable about cooking nor chemistry.
This may all be fine depending on your intended audience, but it's worth thinking about.
posted by philipy at 8:31 AM on January 17, 2011
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posted by vincele at 6:43 PM on January 15, 2011