The second World Science Festival kicked off at Lincoln Center in New York City last evening with a birthday tribute to Edward O. Wilson, everyone's favorite ant man, and science fans fron the culture world along with, presumably, science fans from the science world.

What do you think was the high point of E.O. Wilson's 80th birthday celebration?   "Happy Birthday" sung by 200 people in the lobby and the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir?    A politically incorrect tribute from Nobel laureate James Watson (more on that later)?    Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello or a new Philip Glass composition?   No, though that was all terrific.

A few weeks ago, the 13th annual Susan G. Komen Sacramento Race for the Cure was held.    The organization raises money primarily for breast health awareness, screening and support services and a much smaller amount for research so I am always uncertain what 'race for the cure' in their name means but that's marketing.   Raising money to do breast cancer screening doesn't have the sizzle of curing cancer, though most here will note that curing cancer in itself is deceptive.

This year, Science 2.0 did its part by buying t-shirts for a local team and we finally got some pictures.   Men in pink shirts that say "save second base"?   It's the perfect way to raise money.

If you have not yet heard, David Carradine, aged 72, was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on Wednesday, probably of a suicide (or perhaps something more INXS-related?).    I was in my den drinking a coffee, reading science and eating some Mini-Wheats when Mrs. Hank came in:

"Did you hear your buddy David Carradine died?"

I was shocked.   "No!  I didn't even know he was sick."

"They found him in a Bangkok hotel, so I don't think he was sick."