Anyone catch tonight's episode of Cosmos?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Interesting bit on the cover up of the danger of leaded gasoline.

Not unlike many today who are trying to dismiss global warming.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That was so well done!

I was blown away.

We owe so much to that great scientist who did the research that showed the dangers of lead poisoning.

And indeed how similar to the idiots who try to dismiss climate change, or any other important topic.

K&R

[Vashta Nerada]

2. Unfortunately, "Cosmos" is on at the same time as "Game of Thrones".

I'll have to catch the replay later this week.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Yup, some folks will scream foul

And try to get the ref.

[Tikki]

4. We have been trying to look up the bios on all the scientist Dr. deGrasse Tyson mentions in...

all the COSMOS episodes.

Many we know about, but we can always learn more.

Tikki

[Archae]

5. There still are those who deny the dangers of lead paint.

Oh yeah.

The "Junk Science" (translation: Corporate anti-science) web site.

http://junkscience.com/2011/05/19/accounting-fraud-and-childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention/

Run by this guy:

http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2014/03/952-steve-milloy.html

[dipsydoodle]

9. Did removing lead from petrol spark a decline in crime?

Working away in his laboratory in 1921, Thomas Midgley wanted to fuel a brighter tomorrow. He created tetraethyl lead - a compound that would make car engines more efficient than ever.

But did the lead that we added to our petrol do something so much worse? Was it the cause of a decades-long crime wave that is only now abating as the poisonous element is removed from our environment?

For most of the 20th Century crime rose and rose and rose. Every time a new home secretary took office in the UK - or their equivalents in justice and interior ministries elsewhere - officials would show them graphs and mumble apologetically that there was nothing they could do to stop crime rising.

Then, about 20 years ago, the trend reversed - and all the broad measures of key crimes have been falling ever since.
Thomas Midgley at work Thomas Midgley, creator of tetraethyl lead

Offending has fallen in nations whose governments have implemented completely different policies to their neighbours.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27067615

[eShirl]

6. I tried

but Neil Degrasse Tyson's voice is so smooth and soothing, like a glass of warm milk... zzzz.... (was already exhausted from a big day)

luckily, I can finish watching it later today on Hulu

[JohnnyRingo]

7. I siphoned leaded gas when I was younger.

It was way different than today's unleaded blend. Neither is pleasing to the palate, but the leaded stuff will make you vomit immediately. It's uncontrollable.

Did I mention that I siphoned leaded gas when I was younger?

[eShirl]

8. during the Arab Oil Embargo I heard that ingesting 1/4 tsp of gasoline can kill you

[localroger]

10. It's been uneven, but this was one of the best

I think Cosmos has suffered a bit in its second incarnation from having too many resources. A couple of the episodes have just been all over the place, from sound waves to subatomic particles to supernovae with hardly any focus except the opportunity to show cool graphics. Carl Sagan had to carefully consider what he wanted to use to fill his time and how it fit together. This episode, linking the pure science of the age of the Earth and the crass denialists of global lead poisoning, was beautiful though.

[Takket]

11. It was no accident.......

That the episode parralleled the right wing funded "science" used as "evidence" by the right wing that climate change is occuring.

I admire what Tyson is doing to try to inspire the next generation to question everything and learn the truth from themselves, instead of just trusting what the right wing tells them.