Award-winning journalist + editor + author
The human brain is a supremely curious one. So I was naturally curious to read and review the new book by astrophysicist Mario Livio: Why? What Makes Us Curious for The Washington Post. Livio has the chops and the brilliance to dive into such a challenging topic, and his topics are wide-ranging (from the cultural to the …
Continue reading "Why ask ‘why?’ A review of Mario Livio’s WHY? in the Washington Post"
"An open mind is one primed for curiosity and engagement. And discovery."
This week I'm thrilled to be in the UK, talking microbes at the Thinking Digital Conference in Newcastle. I'll be discussing some of the futuristic applications we might soon have for altering our health through the microbiome--as well as some of the more ancient ways we might have been shaping our microbial profile. The talk …
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Octopuses are incredible hunters. They use their camouflage to hide from prey, masking their color, brightness, and even their texture in a constantly changing tapestry. So perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised that a show about animal hunters wanted to learn a little more about them. Earlier this year I met Remi Warren, host of …
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The octopus is an intelligent, curious, and clever multitasker. We two-armed humans often struggle to keep up with it. But the pace of octopus research is accelerating. And this has been a big year for octopus science. So to celebrate International Octopus Day, let's see what we have learned about these amazing animals--and what they are teaching …
Continue reading "The 8 Best Octopus Studies this Year–for World Octopus Day"
Dolphins can use their sonar to detect the difference between pieces of copper and aluminum. Their relatives were hoofed, wolf-like animals that returned to the oceans some 55 million years ago. They have brains that seemed better built for empathy than our own. In short, dolphins are fascinating subjects. So I was thrilled to be asked to …
Continue reading "My Review of “Voices In the Ocean” In The New York Times Book Review"
Most octopuses prefer the solitary life. Some have even been known to eat their mates. But a newly discovered species of octopus is disrupting this long-held model. The larger Pacific striped octopus (still so new to science it does not yet have a formal Latin name) was first spotted some 40 years ago. But its behavior, …
One chilly October evening, two weeks before the launch of Octopus! The Most Mysterious Creature In the Sea, I was honored to give a super-fun sneak peek of my book at Longmont's PechaKucha Night. So I am octoputletly honored to be asked back for The Best of PechaKucha Night this Friday night, July 24, at the Longmont Museum's …
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It's upon us. The octopus takeover--of Denver Comic Con. What: I'll be explaining why--and how--octopuses will definitely be taking over the world! Questions and book signing to follow How: Swing by Nerd Nite Denver's (daytime) panel When: Sunday, May 24, 12:10pm Where: Room 603, Colorado Convention Center Why: Superheros and cephalopods. What more could you want from …
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I confess that I cannot imagine running a marathon without my running mix on my iPod shuffle. And science actually has my back. I chatted recently with the guru of music and sports, Costas Karagrorghis for ESPN The Magazine for some more information on just why so many of us are hooked on music to get us …
Continue reading "How Music Boosts Athletic Performance — for ESPN The Magazine"
Katherine Harmon Courage 
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