Essays, columns & reviews

Matthew C. Nisbet
Oct 07, 2023
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  • Nisbet, M.C. (2022, March/April). Hooked on Mindfulness: Hidden Design Tricks Make Meditation Apps Addictive. Skeptical Inquirer (46) 2.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2021, Nov-Dec). The Piltdown Hoax Revisited: History's Most Famous Scientific Fraud. Skeptical Inquirer, 45(6), 27-29.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2020, July-August). Confronting Radical Uncertainty: A More Contemplative Way of Life in Our Post-Pandemic World. Skeptical Inquirer, 44(4), 25-26.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2020, May-June). Tony Robbins Next Door: Personal Coaches Are the New High Priests of Self-Help. Skeptical Inquirer, 44(3), p. 24-25.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2020, March-April). The Mindful Climate Writer: Finding My Voice in a Culture of Extremes. Skeptical Inquirer, 44(2), 34+.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2020). Lessons from Canada’s Climate Wars. Issues in Science and Technology, 36(2), 27-29.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2020, Jan-Feb). Against Climate Change Tribalism: We Gamble with the Future by Dehumanizing Our Opponents. Skeptical Inquirer, 44(1), 26+.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019, Sept-Oct). Science and Society Beliefs across the Globe: A Study of Fifty-Four Countries Assesses Public Optimism and Reservations. Skeptical Inquirer, 43(5), 25+

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019). The Green New Dilemma. Issues in Science and Technology, 35(3), 29-31.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019). Climate Philanthropy and the Four Billion (Dollars, That Is). Issues in Science and Technology, 35(2), 34-36.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019, July-August). DNA Is Not Destiny: Challenging the Hype over Genetic Testing. Skeptical Inquirer, 43(4), 28+.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019). Mindfulness Inc. Issues in Science and Technology, 36(1), 33-35.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019, March-April). The Science of Why Yoga Quiets the Mind: Fitness Industry Hype Obscures Yoga's True Benefits. Skeptical Inquirer, 43(2), 40.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2019, Feb. 7). The Battle over Public Opinion on Climate Is Over. Scientific American (Online)

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019, July-Aug.). DNA Is Not Destiny: Challenging the Hype over Genetic Testing. Skeptical Inquirer, 43(4), 28+.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2019, Jan-Feb). Talking Science and Society at Church: Let's Put Aside Differences to Tackle Society's Biggest Challenges. Skeptical Inquirer, 43(1), 22+

  • Nisbet, M. (2018, March-April). Ambassadors for Science: Harnessing the Power of Opinion-Leaders across Communities. Skeptical Inquirer, 42(2), 30+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2018, Jan-Feb). Divided Expectations: Why We Need a New Dialogue about Science, Inequality, and Society. Skeptical Inquirer, 42(1), 18+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2018, Nov-Dec). The Ecomodernists: A New Way of Thinking about Climate Change and Human Progress. Skeptical Inquirer, 42(6), 20+.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2018). The Gene-Editing Conversation. American Scientist, 106(1), 15-19.

  • Nisbet, M. (2017, Sept-Oct). Evolution in the college classroom: Facilitating conversations about science and religion. Skeptical Inquirer, 41(5), 22+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2017, July-August). The March for Science: Partisan Protests Put Public Trust in Scientists at Risk. Skeptical Inquirer, 41(4), 18+.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2017). Ending the Crisis of Complacency in Science. American Scientist, 105(1), 18.

  • Nisbet, M. (2017, May-June). The mindfulness movement: How a Buddhist practice evolved into a scientific approach to life. Skeptical Inquirer, 41(3), 24+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2017, Jan-Feb). The superbug crisis: false beliefs about antibiotics are a global threat. Skeptical Inquirer, 41(1), 27+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, Nov-Dec). Winning the vaccine war: focus on community-based strategies and avoid denigrating parents. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(6), 27+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, Sept-Oct). The science literacy paradox: why really smart people are often the most biased in their opinions. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(5), 21+

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, July-August). Partisan pandemics: political divisions will affect American beliefs about the Zika threat. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(4), 22+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, May-June). Don't fear a Franken public: the surprising reasons why we should label genetically modified food. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(3), 18+

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2016, April 7). Will the health dangers of climate change get people to care? The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, March-April). Shifting the conversation about climate change: strategies to build public demand for action. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(2), 24+.

  • Nisbet, M. (2016, Jan/Feb). The X-Files effect? Research suggests we shouldn't worry so much over the hit TV series. Skeptical Inquirer, 40(1), 33+.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, Dec. 15). Paris deal could help narrow the US political divide on climate. New Scientist (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, Oct. 23). MIT rejects fossil fuel divestment but is still a leader on climate change. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, June 17). Pope’s Moral Mission on Global Warming to Shift US Climate Wars. New Scientist.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, June 16). Pope Francis climate advocate: reframing the debate. The Conversation US. (Online)

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, May 11). Ecomodernists Spark Rhetorical Heat. The Chronicle of Higher Education Review.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, May 4). A Call for Greater Diversity of Thought in Environmental Studies Courses. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, March 6). Inside America’s Science Lobby: What Motivates AAAS Members to Engage the Public? The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2015, Jan. 28). Universities in the Anthropocene: engaging students and communities. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C (2014, Dec. 9). Talking climate change in Lima: who is pushing for what. The Conversation US (Online)

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Nov. 19). Keystone falls short in Senate; cable news battle continues. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Nov. 12). Making change happen in G20 climate talks: Beijing pact not enough. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Nov. 5). Republican Charlie Baker’s win in liberal Massachusetts path forward on climate change. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Oct. 30). Fox News seeds climate doubts, but liberal media also distort. The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Oct. 21). Can people power drive action on climate change? The Conversation US (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2014, Oct. 6). Naomi Klein or Al Gore? Making Sense of Contrasting Views of Climate Change. The Conversation UK (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C.& Markowitz, E. (2014, Feb. 18). Beyond Partisanship in Biopolitics. The Scientist magazine.

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Markowitz, E. (2014, Feb. 19). Opinions about Scientific Advances Blur Party/Political Lines. The Conversation UK.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2013, Nov. 26). A New Model for Climate Advocacy. Ensia magazine.

  • Nisbet, M.C., Townsend, A., Koomey, J. & Cole, J. (2013, Aug. 1). Google’s Troubling Alliance with Senator James Inhofe. New York Times.com.

  • Fahy, D. & Nisbet, M.C. (2013, July). Opinion: Debating Bioethics Publicly. The Scientist, pp 20-21.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2013, June 21). How to Win People's Hearts and Minds for GM Farming. New Scientist.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2013, April/May). The Opponent: How Bill McKibben Changed Environmental Politics and Took on the Oil Patch. Policy Options (Canada), pp 29-41.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2013, Feb. 25). Climate Activists, Wonks and Superheroes. Ensia (Online).

  • Nisbet, MC. (2013, Feb. 10). Rethinking Our Moral Vocabulary on Climate Change: Efforts to Combat Climate Change May Be Most Effective When They Are Localized and Personalized. Ensia (Online).

  • Nisbet, M. C., & Scheufele, D. A. (2012). The Polarization Paradox: Why Hyperpartisanship Strengthens Conservatism and Undermines Liberalism. Breakthrough Journal, 3, 55-69

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Scheufele, D.A. (2012, July 23). Scientists’ Intuitive Failures. The Scientist.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2012, May 25). Squaring the Genetically Modified Crop Circle. New Scientist.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2011, Spring.) Beyond the Blame Game. Momentum.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2010, April 1). Scientifiques, gardez voitre sang-froid. Slate.fr (France) (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2010, March 18). Chill out: Climate scientists are getting a little too angry for their own good. Slate (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C., Brossard, D. & Scheufele, D.A. (2009, Sept. 16). Science Needs a Storyline. Columbia Journalism Review (Online).

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2009, May-June). Repower America? Science communication and the Obama presidency. Skeptical Inquirer, 33(3), 22+

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2009, March). Science Communication in the Obama Era. Science & People, 19 (UK).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2009, Jan. 14). ''Ispiriamoci ad Al Gore profeta illuministà' Come nascono i modelli alternativi della divulgazione. La Stampa (Italy), pg. 20.

  • Nisbet, M. C. (2008, Sept-Oct.) Ben Stein's trojan horse: mobilizing the state House and local news agenda. Skeptical Inquirer, 32(5), 16+.

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Scheufele, D.A. (2007, Oct.) The Future of Public Engagement. The Scientist, 21, 10, 38-44. [Cover article]

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Mooney, C. (2007, April 15). Thanks for the Facts. Now Sell Them. Sunday Outlook. Washington Post, B3.

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2006, Sept.) Intelligent Design in the U.S. and Abroad. Foreign Policy (Spanish edition).

  • Mooney, C. & Nisbet, M.C. (2006, Aug 3). The next big storm? Can scientists and journalists work together to improve coverage of the hurricane-climate change controversy? Skeptical Inquirer (Online).

  • Nisbet, M.C. (2006). Review: The Evolution of Key Mass Communication Concepts: Honoring Jack M.McLeod. Mass Communication & Society, 9, (3) 367-372.

  • Mooney, C. & Nisbet, M.C. (2005). When Coverage of Evolution Shifts to the Political and Opinion Pages, the Scientific Context Falls Away, Unraveling Darwin. Columbia Journalism Review, Sept-Oct 31-39. [Cover article]

  • Nisbet, M.C. & Nisbet, E.C. (2005). Evolution and Intelligent Design: Understanding Public Opinion. Geotimes, 58, (8), 28-33.

  • Nisbet, M. (2001, March). Introducing Italy's Version of Harry Houdini. Skeptical Inquirer, 25(2), 43.

  • Nisbet, M. (2000, July 28). The best case for PSI? Skeptical Inquirer (online).

  • Nisbet, M., & Genoni, T. (1999, March-April). Perspectives on the media from Hollywood and academia. Skeptical Inquirer, 23(2), 5+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1999, May-June). Scientists, physicians gather in Philadelphia for the 'Science Meets Alternative Medicine' conference. Skeptical Inquirer, 23(3), 5+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1998, Nov-Dec). Alternative medicine, impact threats, abrupt climate change, and efficient energy. Skeptical Inquirer, 22(6), 8+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1998, Aug 05). The truth is out there, but infatuated “X-Files” fans simply don’t want to hear it. Buffalo News.

  • Nickell, J., & Nisbet, M. (1998, Nov-Dec). Myth and mystery in southern climates. Skeptical Inquirer, 22(6), 13+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1998, May-June). Psychic telephone networks profit on yearning, gullibility. Skeptical Inquirer, 22(3), 5+.

  • Nickell, J. & Nisbet, M. (1998, July-August). CSICOP compiles top ten paranormal hoaxes. Skeptical Inquirer, 22(4), 14+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1998, September-October). New polls points to increase in paranormal belief. Skeptical Inquirer, 22(5), 9+.

  • Nisbet, M. (1996, Oct. 15). Even GOP faithful unhappy with party as it juggles tobacco money and health. Buffalo News.

  • Nisbet, M. (1998, Nov 07). Why are we pushing witchcraft on teen-age girls instead of science and math? Buffalo News.

  • Nisbet, M. (1997, Oct 4). Diana and Mother Teresa may make good folk legends, but the truth is more complex. Buffalo News.