Two years ago on this date, I launched a blog called “Science Vs. Pseudoscience“, connected to a class I was teaching of the same name and concept. As you might guess, the focus of the original blog was more on skepticism: identifying and debunking pseudoscientific attitudes. Since my students were writing several essays during the semester, I thought I’d require a similar effort from myself—and get back into serious creative nonfiction writing at the same time. I had considered science writing many years ago, but didn’t really have time to pursue it while teaching and doing research.

I don’t write many posts anymore that are explicitly skeptical in outlook, not because I don’t think it’s important, but because I’d rather write about science if I can. Others are better at debunking, and have more patience for the fight. (I know a few of my readers want me to…