Month: June 2025

STEAM Saturday – Cosmic Dawn and Birthday Tortoise

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STEAMSaturday

STEAM Saturday
Cosmic Dawn and Birthday Tortoise
June 28, 2025

In this edition, Japan crashes into the moon again, happy birthday to Goliath, and eyes on the Cosmic Dawn.

It’s been a while, hasn’t it? About a year. This is one of the series on Creative Criticality that takes a bit of work to research and assemble, and things have been a bit busy behind the scenes.

STEAMHeadlines

Scientific America – A Japanese Spacecraft Has Crash-Landed on the Moon—Again (June 6, 2025)
A Japanese spacecraft has probably crashed on the Moon, the second failed landing attempt for Tokyo-based private firm ispace.

NPR – Goliath the Galápagos tortoise celebrated his first Father’s Day and 135th birthday (June 17, 2025)
Goliath the tortoise had a big shellebration Sunday as he marked his first Father’s Day.

Space.com – Astronomers see the 1st stars dispel darkness 13 billion years ago at ‘Cosmic Dawn’ (June 11, 2025)
Astronomers have used ground-based telescopes for the first time to peer back 13 billion years in time to observe the universe when the first stars first lifted the cosmic darkness.

Live Science – GPT-4.5 is the first AI model to pass an authentic Turing test, scientists say (April 13, 2025)
Large language models (LLMs) are getting better at pretending to be human, with GPT-4.5 now resoundingly passing the Turing test.

Science.org – The Organ Farm (May 29, 2025)
Gene-edited pig kidneys are finally moving the long-stymied field of xenotransplantation forward.

Constellation Energy – Constellation to Launch Crane Clean Energy Center, Restoring Jobs and Carbon-Free Power to The Grid (Sept 20, 2024)
Constellation signs its largest-ever power purchase agreement with Microsoft, a deal that will restore TMI Unit 1 to service and keep it online for decades; add approximately 835 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the grid; create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs and deliver more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes.

World Nuclear News – NextEra initiates regulatory process to restart Duane Arnold (January 29, 2025)
NextEra Energy has filed a licensing change request for its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This marks the first step toward seeking approval to restart the plant, which was taken out of service in 2020.

Dr. Rossome – Facebook and Instagram Reel: Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism (June 6, 2025)
Dr. Ross Newman is an evidence-based pediatrician.

 

STEAMSci

Physics Girl – Hosted by Dianna Cowern, a science communicator and physics alumna from MIT, this show was part of PBS Digital Studios until 2020. She uses her platform to explore complex physics, astronomy, and science-related topics in simple terms.

Dr. Erin Explains the Universe – Dr. Erin Macdonald has a PhD in Astrophysics (University of Glasgow) and is a self-proclaimed N7 Slytherin from Starfleet Academy. Her series focuses on the science behind science fiction. In 2019 she was hired as the official science consultant for the ever-expanding Star Trek Universe and is currently working on all shows in development.
Dr. Erin Explains the Universe was suggested by Sue Kisenwether.

Kyle Hill – Kyle Hill is a science educator with degrees in civil and environmental engineering and science communication. He previously hosted the popular Because Science YouTube series, but now runs The Facility.

xkcd’s What If? – Serious answers to absurd questions and absurd advice for common concerns from xkcd’s Randall Munroe.

STEAMTech

Jerry Rig Everything – Zack Nelson has used his love of repairing, simple explanations, and brief tutorials to help millions of people with repairs of their own. Outside of YouTube, his ‘to-the-point’ style of teaching has created instructional and informational videos for manufacturers and factories around the world.

Mark Rober – An engineer and inventor, Mark Rober presents popular science concepts and do-it-yourself gadgets in easy-to-understand terms. He was previously a NASA engineer (where he worked on the Curiosity rover) and a product designer at Apple’s Special Projects Group (where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars). One of his best-known series involves the development of a glitter bomb to combat porch pirates and internet scammers.

STEAMEng

Practical Engineering – Grady Hillhouse is a civil engineer in San Antonio, Texas. His channel aims to increase exposure and interest in the field of engineering by highlighting the connection between the world around us and the energy, passion, and thought that goes into making it a nicer place to live.

Not Just Bikes – Stories of great urban planning and urban experiences from the Netherlands and beyond. There are a lot of reasons why Dutch cities are so great; it’s not just bikes.

Streetcraft – Blending urban design and visual storytelling to craft solutions & inspire conversations about change.

STEAMArt

Peter Brown (Shop Time) – Peter Brown is a geek with a full set of power tools, and he uses that knowledge to experiment, craft, and have fun.

Boylei Hobby Time – A hobbyist just trying to make fun things and inspire you to be creative.

Ali Spagnola – Musician. Comedian. Artist. Exceptional high fiver. Ali Spagnola is your internet best friend! You never know what her comedy and music videos might entail but you know they’ll always be outrageous, clever, and spread joy.

 

STEAMMath

8-bit Music Theory – This YouTuber loves music, video games, and analyzing and talking about music from video games. He promises that if you are a big nerd, you’ll love it too!

Charles Cornell – Charles Cornell, a YouTuber and online content creator in the music education space, has a professional background as a jazz pianist and composer.

 

STEAMMulti

Mark Rober – An engineer and inventor, Mark Rober presents popular science concepts and do-it-yourself gadgets in easy-to-understand terms. He was previously a NASA engineer (where he worked on the Curiosity rover) and a product designer at Apple’s Special Projects Group (where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars). One of his best-known series involves the development of a glitter bomb to combat porch pirates and internet scammers.

Frank Howarth – A Portland, Oregon-based architect and woodworker, Frank Howarth uses stop-motion animation to demonstrate his design and building process for a variety of projects and art pieces.

Glen and Friends – Glen and Julie Powell of Toronto host this look into recipes from the Depression Era, including if those recipes still work or can be improved in the modern day. It’s a great look into history and how cooking is both science and art.

I Like To Make Stuff – Bob Clagett likes to make stuff, whether it be home renovations, fixing up a vintage car, or building an astromech droid.

Wendover Productions – Wendover Productions, run by filmmaker Sam Denby, is all about explaining how our world works. From travel, to economics, to geography, to marketing, and more, every video will leave you with a little better understanding of our world. Sam also runs the channel Half as Interesting.

 

If you have any suggestions for STEAM Saturday, please leave them below in the comments. If your suggestion is used, your name will be credited.

Disclaimers: Any sponsored content or advertising presented in videos and/or links highlighted in STEAM Saturday are not necessarily endorsed or supported by Creative Criticality. Pursue such content and offers at your own risk. The links and videos attached to this post were publicly available at the time of publication, but there is no guarantee of availability after publication.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope that something inspired you to get out there and explore the universe.

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STEAM Saturday is a celebration of curiosity and imagination through science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, the very building blocks of the universe around us.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue

Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue
June 20, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the fourth episode for 2025, the team gets sparkly, sultry, and spectacular with the sensational May Hemmer. The Glamour Geek Revue is Dragon Con’s premier burlesque extravaganza, and in this edition of the Dragon Con Report, May reviews past performances and teases the cosplay creativity and breathtaking routines you might see in this year’s show.

The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Peter David

Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
Peter David
June 16, 2025

Writer Peter David died on May 24, 2025.

I never met him personally, but his work was some of the best in the franchises I love. I have told the story many times about my introduction to science fiction through Lost in Space and Star Trek reruns. I fell away from Star Trek television in the late ’80s and early ’90s, but came around once again when my friend Ryan introduced me to Star Trek Generations at a small fan gathering in the mid-90s. Around the franchise’s 30th anniversary, after both of us received the Star Trek 30 Years collector’s edition book with my first map of the Trek galaxy, I started a deep dive catch-up through re-runs and the local library.

Among the first books I checked out was the hardcover of Imzadi. It was a wacky adventure full of time travel shenanigans, graced by a Keith Birdsong cover that showcased silver fox Admiral Riker. I soon pivoted to Q-Squared, which blew my young mind with the way Peter David wrote parallel universes. This is a novel I think about quite often. Vendetta followed soon after, and eventually I made it to I, Q, a tale amplified by the voice and experience of John de Lancie.

The first Star Trek book I bought was The Captain’s Daughter. It was an impulse purchase at my local Smith’s supermarket, driven by its role as a sequel to Star Trek Generations. With Captain Sulu on the cover and the promise of further tales of Demora Sulu and Captain Harriman, it was an easy spend for my hard-earned lawn mowing money. It maintains a special place in my heart because of that.

He developed a new series for the Star Trek novels as a spin-off from The Next Generation. Star Trek: New Frontier focused on the crew of the USS Excalibur, commanded by maverick Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. It was the first time that I saw an action figure from the novels – the captain was created from a Playmates DS9/Voyager male body, a generic-looking sword, and a custom-sculpted head – and the series ran for an impressive 21 novels, a handful of crossovers, several comics, and a few short stories in various anthologies. I have only read the first four books, but I liked what I saw and the entire series is on my To Read list.

Peter David even graced the Star Wars universe with an amazing one-off Infinities tale. In an eight-page comic published in Star Wars Tales 1, he crafted a “what if” scenario for R5-D4, the other droid on the Jawa sandcrawler in A New Hope. Long story short, R5-D4 was Force-sensitive in this story, and once he met Luke Skywalker at the Lars Homestead, he saw the future and how important R2-D2 was to the galaxy. In the end, he blows his own motivator and embraces his destiny.

Peter David’s bibliography is immense, and he is one of examples of a working writer. He doesn’t appear on best-selling fiction author lists, but he succeeded and he was loved because of his hustle and passion. His work stood out because he embraced his work, capturing the very essence of those universes with his own special enthusiastic flair. He published novels and comics, and spend decades in pop culture. I know him best from his Star Trek work, but I’m intrigued by his Marvel and DC Comics work as well, especially his time on Supergirl given my recent interest in that character. My friends speak highly of his tenure with Spider-Man.

Peter David is one of my favorites in Star Trek fiction. I’ll remember his working writer wisdom (laced with rapier wit) from his article “Why Writers are Scum“:

If the artist is doing his job, then he’s seen. If the writer is doing his job, he’s not. The writer should be the invisible man. The writer hides behind the characters, melting into the background. The writer’s job is to make the characters take on lives of their own, to be real.

Peter David made my favorite characters real. He will be missed.

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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – We Don’t Do Kings Here

Michael Falkner1 Comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
We Don’t Do Kings Here
June 14, 2025

Today marks a series of demonstrations and protests across the United States. Known as the “No Kings” movement, it includes more than 1,500 cities and towns to oppose the current administration.

The concept of monarchy in the United States is not popular. In the Revolutionary era, an estimated fifteen to twenty percent of colonists were Loyalists in support of the British crown. As the country entered the Confederation period, Alexander Hamilton (among others) recommended crowning an American monarch. Hamilton even stated in a lengthy speech before the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that the United States should be led by an elective monarch who ruled for life unless impeached. His proposal was rejected in favor of the four-year term system that has survived to the modern day (though term limits came about in 1951).

In a poll conducted by YouGov in 2021, a mere five percent of Americans thought a monarchy in the United States would be a good thing, while 69 percent said it would be a bad thing. Two years later, YouGov found twelve percent favored the idea while 63 percent opposed it.

The concept of “no kings” in America goes all the way back to the Declaration of Independence. Fed up with the tyranny of King George III, the Second Continental Congress unanimously voted to adopt and issue the document on July 4, 1776. Contrary to the current President’s interpretation, the document isn’t “a declaration of unity and love and respect”. On the contrary, the Declaration of Independence is a list of grievances. Quite literally, it is well-crafted breakup letter including a list of things the colonists hated about the monarchy.

Among those grievances – the very reasons why the Continental Congress decided to “dissolve the political bands” that connected them to Great Britain – we can see many parallels to the 45th and 47th presidential administrations:

  • The colonial assemblies passed various laws for self-governance and the common good, which the King refused to acknowledge;
  • The King used his arbitrary will (read: executive orders) in place of legislative process to establish policy over the consent of the people;
  • The King opposed immigration because it would give the colonies too much power;
  • The King interfered with and improperly influenced the judiciary;
  • The King established a variety of new offices that harassed citizens, spent the treasury for their own good, and lined their own pockets;
  • The King used the military for domestic enforcement and oppression;
  • The King held mock trials in lieu of legitimate justice, including removing the benefit of jury trials;
  • The King used trade to punish people and imposed additional taxes without consent (tariffs, which are taxes on consumers);
  • The King transported citizens “beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended offenses;” 
  • The King “excited domestic insurrections among us;”

…and the list goes on.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The Declaration states “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The United States government under the Constitution was meant as a democratic republic. The power resides with the people, who elect representatives to govern on their behalf through free and fair elections. The government’s power is derived from the people, and elected officials are responsible to the people.

There is neither bloodline nor divine right to dictate who serves in government. The three separate and co-equal branches of government must operate together with checks and balances. One branch cannot ignore the another simply because it’s inconvenient to uphold the Constitution.

After all, those elected to represent and serve the people swear an oath:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

There is no absolute power.

There are no kings.

That is why the people march today.
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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – There’s a Reason…

Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
There’s a Reason…
June 11, 2025

The reimagined Battlestar Galactica was written as a post-9/11 allegory. Over four seasons, it told the story of a group of refugees seeking asylum from violence, oppression, and genocide. Their beacon of freedom, democracy, and opportunity – the shining city on the hill – was Earth.

These words are still relevant twenty years after they were spoken on our television screens.

 

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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Talking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the World

Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
Talking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the World
June 9, 2025

I was a guest recently on The Best Stuff in the World. It’s a podcast for people who like things!

This show is hosted by Kevin Cafferty, and like the tagline says, it’s all about celebrating all that is wonderful in the world, from music and movies to immersive theater and games.

On Episode 35, Kevin invited some top men – Kevin Eldridge of The Flopcast and me – to discuss Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is one of the most iconic adventure films of the last 45 years, brought to life by the team of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and John Williams. Swashbuckling archeologist Indiana Jones was played to perfection by Harrison Ford as he and Karen Allen’s Marion Ravenwood race to defeat the Nazis and find the mythic Ark of the Covenant.

The movie even has a monkey. Just watch out for bad dates.

Along the way, we also touched on the legacy of the Indiana Jones films, novels, video games, and more. You can listen to the episode on the show’s website.

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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 Kids

Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 Kids
June 6, 2025

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the third episode for 2025, the team talks about options for kids and family programming at Con. Dragon Con has a bit of a reputation from the last few decades of being geared for adults, but in reality it has a vibrant family atmosphere that has been amplified over the last few years. In this episode, the team talks with Jonathan McFarland from the Kids Track and author James Palmer. They share tips on how to navigate Dragon Con with kids and families, including what to see, where to go, and how to make the most of the weekend.

The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

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Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.