Category: Marine Biology

Dr. Abalone’s Address to the Society

by Dr Abalone • November 25, 2019 • 2 Comments

Whilst you all have been frolicking along the shores and diving in the sea, as is your way, I, Dr. Abalone, have been scouring the TVsphere for the perfect message for the youngsters of my favorite society, the Western Society of Naturalists. After extensive research I unleash upon you a slew of films so gripping, they win the piscatorial prize for perfection. Because only those that truly love the sea and live daily at its mercy, such as yourselves, can transcend self into a passion for protecting the planet .

Animal ethics, Environment, Marine Biology

Listen to the Children

by Dr Abalone • September 23, 2019 • 1 Comment

Listen to the planet, the scientists, and the children, and you will know a warmer world is happening, with all its associated consequences. Now we need action to stop the bleeding and future consequences of our carbon-based technology. We can do it, we are already are, but not fast enough to make a difference.

Life, Marine Biology, Science

Aim For The Moon: The Space Program That Inspired a Generation of Scientists

by Dr Abalone • July 20, 2019 • 0 Comments

My career, and my broad interests in science, were inspired by America’s race to the moon. Between 1961 and 1972, I grew up watching the space missions of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. The astronauts were my heroes and I loved the technology. As a kid, those were magical times and they taught me to believe in the impossible. I’ve been a scientist now for 40 years and it’s hard to underestimate the power of those heady days to inspire my career trajectory.

Environment, Life, Marine Biology, Philosophy

Sixteen Places that Honor our Connections to the Universe: the Earth, Moon, Mars Challenge

by Dr Abalone • April 22, 2019 • 3 Comments

Ventures into the depths of our oceans and space portray our rapidly changing future. And as we probe the unknowns, we should pause and bask in the glory of our universe and the beauty of our unspoiled places. Herein, I present 16 challenges across the planet and our solar neighbors.

Environment, Marine Biology, Philosophy

Enemies of the Planet: Earth Day redux

by Dr Abalone • December 29, 2018 • 5 Comments

We once lived in a world where, despite our great prosperity, skies were covered in brown smog, suds came into our sinks, trash carpeted our landscape, and poisons permeated our streets and our foods. But yet, despite insurmountable odds, we changed all of that. Now we are faced with a slow, insidious extermination of many key ecosystems and must take action to stop it.

Environment, Grinds, Life, Marine Biology, Science

Abalone: the Chase, the Lore, the Future

by Dr Abalone • September 3, 2018 • 4 Comments

Abalone are definitely one of the most exquisite things to eat from the sea. Their sublime flavor is both buttery and slightly salty and tastes like a cross between a scallop and calamari. But a big part of abalone is the culture of chasing, catching and eating wild abalone.

Environment, Life, Marine Biology, Philosophy, Science

Ocean Movies you Love to Hate: Endless Descent (aka The Rift) (1989)

by Dr Abalone • June 26, 2018 • 0 Comments

Most science fiction movies are based loosely on science. Usually, this means they make a few technical or impossible leaps to move the plot forward but generally adhere to the basic laws of science. But in most cases, filmmakers are forgiven for their science-defying sins as long as the story makes up for it. In contrast, Endless Descent (aka The Rift) seems to delight in making so many impossible and incredulous scientific leaps, that they grow to a level of absurdity that transcends the believable.

Animal ethics, Environment, Marine Biology, Science

Legend of the Killer Abalone

by Dr Abalone • May 31, 2018 • 0 Comments

There is a legend, spawned deep in the mysterious kelp forests of southern California, of the killer abalone. On extremely rare occasions, conditions align with a violation of the abalone code that triggers the rare spawn of the trio of terror in the abalone universe: the red, the black, and their offspring, the pink abalone. So it was during the El Niño of the early 1980s that such an event occurred, much to the detriment of all those involved and future world peace.

Life, Marine Biology, Philosophy

How to Become a Marine biologist: Landing a Tenure-Track Position

by Dr Abalone • March 26, 2018 • 1 Comment

Congratulations, you survived one of the most grueling intellectual rites of passage in modern society: you have your Ph.D.! Now what? Well, I’d like to say that the world lays before you, screaming for access to your higher intellect and many talents. But the reality is now you are faced with one of the toughest…