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Day 234: Fun With RSS

This afternoon sees our fearless antagonist geeking out on geospatial feeds (tested in NewsGator, incidentally). Here are a few helpful ones:

Location Intelligence
Google Blog Search: gisuser
GISUser.com News Feed
GISCafe Headlines

As June 1 approaches, everyone around here is going to have at least one eye stuck to the TV/computer screen: National Hurricane Center / Tropical Prediction Center RSS Feeds

While searching for earth science image feeds, I discovered the Live Science RSS Feeds! Stories, headlines, blogs, amazing images, Skepchics, and more …

A study recently commissioned by Live Science finds that 60 million Americans in the 18-54 age group are scientifically curious.

More Americans are interested in science news and information than is commonly thought, a new study suggests. But not everyone wears the intrigue on their sleeves. In fact some people are downright silent about their scientific interests, perhaps not wanting to be perceived as nerds.

What exactly is wrong with being perceived as a nerd, I ask you? Some just don’t know what they’re missing.

… About 40 percent of [among the roughly 150 million Americans age 18-54], or 60 million people, were found to be “intellectually curious” about politics, the arts and science, all spending significant time with newspapers, related television channels and online media. Further study of the intellectually curious segment revealed three distinct groups.

Science with Passion (14 percent of the 18-54 group): This group contains the geeks and nerds. They don’t need to be prompted to share their love of science … Prime interests: nature, medicine and the environment. This group is 53 percent female.

Money, Success and Science (11 percent of the 18-54 group): These people are also very interested in science. But they’re unlikely to discuss it. Prime interest: technology. This group is 64 percent male.

Style with Science (15 percent of the 18-54 group): This high-income group follows science but would rather be throwing a party or out on the town than watching TV or having a quiet evening. Prime interests: technology, weather and nature. This group is 57 percent male.

Yes, the convenient pigeonholes of polls, what would we do without them? What about passionate scientists who like technology and throw sexy parties? I guess we have skipped over to the realm of the scientifically irredeemable.

3 comments… add one
  • Blair April 19, 2006, 2:20 PM

    Unfortunately the other 90 million have the vote.

  • Maitri April 19, 2006, 2:21 PM

    You had to stress that painful observation, didn’t you, Blair?

  • ashley April 19, 2006, 10:38 PM

    Thanks a lot…more GIS time wasters. At least in my job I get to call it “Research”.

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