Technology has led to amazing advances in science, and humanity being what it is, people are as creative as ever. Here are some of my favorite creative works from scientists & science-minded people.
XKCD by Randall Munroe
The classic nerdy comic strip.
I was going to link to my favorites. But that would’ve taken too much time. Suffice it to say some of my most-loved comics are the ones with Schrödinger, third amendment rights, and testing how long it takes before grad students realize you’re not an expert in their field. And oh so many more.
Neuroscience Art by Dana Simmons
She studies Autism Spectrum Disorder and takes striking, colorful photographs of human neurons. According to her bio, “Her goal is to use science-art to promote curiosity about science and the natural world.”
A Capella Science by Tim Blais
Who would have thought that the microbe that gave us
Tim Blais, Crispr-Cas9 (Bring Me a Gene)
Cas9
S. pyogenes
The source of strep and flesh-eating disease
Housed this marvellous machine
Sung to the tune of “Mr. Sandman,” this piece is absolute genius. I’m also partial to the Sheeran-inspired Molecular Shape of You, and nothing beats the entropy-defying artistry of the music video for Entropic Time (a Billy Joel parody).
Elemental haikus by Mary Soon Lee
You will definitely want to check out this brilliant periodic table, an evocative haiku memorializing each element. Have fun browsing, and be sure to include a look at Silicon and Sodium.
The Poetry of Science by Sam Illingworth
This is a blog with poems written about scientific papers. What’s more, he’s also behind a new journal – Consilience – for publishing science-themed poems from poets of all backgrounds.
The visual representation of these imaginary numbers results in infinitely complex fractals. Math is an incredibly beautiful subject and if you don’t believe me look these up.
Bonus: Also, James Clerk Maxwell Wrote Poetry – Who Knew?
Then, I said, “These haughty schools
James Clerk Maxwell, from Lines written under the conviction that it is not wise to read Mathematics in November after one’s fire is out
Boast that by their formal rules
They produce more learned fools
Than could be well expected.
Learned fools they are indeed,
Learned in the books they read;
Fools whene’er they come to need
Wisdom, too long neglected.
It’s kinda nice to know that even a giant like Maxwell realized there is such a time as too late when it comes to reading mathematics, and could distract himself by writing lighthearted poems instead.
- What are your favorite websites, YouTube channels, and artistic outputs from scientists today (or of yesteryear?)
- What’s your go-to creative outlet after a day of unruly experiments?
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