Let 'em play!

My most recent piece for Scientific American MIND is about the importance of spontaneous free play for kids -- and what might happen as a result of its demise. Parents and schools are letting kids play less and less these days, and this could have implications for the social and emotional health of generations to come. (If you get the chance to peek at the print version, do -- the pictures of kids and animals playing are heart-melting!)

I also talked about this piece (and a few others I've recently written) on New Hampshire Public Radio's Word of Mouth a few weeks ago. You can listen to the segment here.

I know, I know...

I haven't posted in SO LONG. Mostly because I've been so busy and feel bad just posting links to my new stories. But some people have been asking me to do that anyway, so.... I'll try posting some links to my most recent stories and maybe -- just maybe -- occasionally write up a blog post or two.

Most recently, Popular Mechanics has come out with my feature on 20 Biotech Breakthroughs that Will Change Medicine. Included among them are rocket-powered prostheses, contact lenses that can diagnose glaucoma, spit tests for cancer, and pills that tell you when you've taken them.

You can read the whole story here, or check out their March issue (where the art is much better!).