Miriam was one of the first 10 people I followed on Twitter. I had just learned about the magic of twitter and online science communication from a friend at a graduate student. She suggested we all follow Miriam at Oyster’s Garter. I was skeptical at first because I thought I wouldn’t be interested in biological oceanography. But I was wrong, so very wrong. While I am still squicked out by the majority of beasties that dwell in the sea, I am now fascinated by them too. And if Miriam can reach out to a physical oceanography curmudgeon such as my self, then you know she is an amazing communicator.
But one of the most important lessons I learned from Miriam was that marine science communication doesn’t have to be dull. Science is fun, gross, perverted, messy, and utterly ridiculous at times. You can be factual and silly at the same time. Because seriously, the laws of physics apply to farts too.
Miriam has been a role-model for me as a science communicator and blogger. While I will definitely miss her silliness at DSN, I wish her the best in DC. And I am keeping all my tentacles crossed so that she comes back to blogging in a year.
If I contributed to the fart-on-a-plane-as-diffusion post, truly my mission upon the internets is complete. Thank you. :)