Null Hypothesis: The Journal of Unlikely Science is an online satirical science website, which casts a wry eye over the world of science and technology. Dubbed "the Private Eye of science" by the Daily Telegraph, it was started in 2004 in Bristol University by three bored postgraduate students disillusioned by the grind of publishing papers in academia. The three behind the idea, David Hall, Andrew Impey and Mark Steer, all have biology backgrounds, although the website covers all topics from mathematics and chemistry to social science and philosophy.
The predominant focus of the website is to provide science information and entertainment in a light-hearted and non-exclusive way. To this end it publishes articles on latest science news, things which are strange but true, factual information and the occasional spoof story. The public is encouraged to contribute. Contributed articles have included why toast landing butter-side down is proof of a God; and whether bungee jumping makes your eyes pop out and if too many cooks do spoil the broth.
The team's solution to the global warming debate drew a good deal of media exposure in March 2007.
Mixed in with nuggets of the bizarre are current news stories from around the world, features on items in the news and commentary on day-to-day science.
The print version of the magazine ceased publication in May 2006, but it has continued online since then. The website includes information for teaching science, as well as jobs and an archive of past articles.
Famous quotes containing the words null, journal and/or science:
“A strong person makes the law and custom null before his own will.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The Journal is not essentially a confession, a story about oneself. It is a Memorial. What does the writer have to remember? Himself, who he is when he is not writing, when he is living his daily life, when he alive and real, and not dying and without truth.”
—Maurice Blanchot (b. 1907)
“We would be a lot safer if the Government would take its money out of science and put it into astrology and the reading of palms.... Only in superstition is there hope. If you want to become a friend of civilization, then become an enemy of the truth and a fanatic for harmless balderdash.”
—Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (b. 1922)