When you think of dedicated amateur astronomers, David Levy is one of the most avid and encouraging observers out there. He embodies the true amateur, as in “one who loves” what he does and loves the stars and planets and comets (can’t forget the comets!). I’ve been a friend and fan of David’s for longer than I can remember; he’s done me several kind favors over the years, and in return, I’ve always supported his work and recommended his books to people.

Thus, it was with some trepidation that I opened an email today telling me that David had a stroke recently. He’s on the mend, and apparently he didn’t suffer serious damage, but will need some time to recover. David’s married to the wonderful and wise Wendee, who is busy caring for him as he gets better. Take a hop over to David’s site and read more about these two wonderful people, and David’s many contributions to astronomy.

I’ve been off attending yet another meeting the past couple of days. This one’s focused on science and its role in society. There are about 1,500 of us gathered in Boston to talk about issues in science communication and the ways that scientists, science writers and communicators, museum professionals, and others can communicate the complexities of science through the various forms of media that our society is used to seeing, hearing, and reading. One of the keynote speakers the first night was former vice-president Al Gore, who is probably one of the most intellectually diverse people I’ve heard speak in quite a while. As you might expect, he did talk about global warming, but it’s a subject he’s thoroughly researched, unlike some of the so-called “experts” out there who have politically motivated reasons to promote a one-sided (read: the current administration’s) view of the complex issues facing our environment. Mr. Gore gave a fascinating talk, was funny, human, and engaging. I wish we’d seen that side of him when he ran for president; we might not now be facing some of the dire issues we’re having to deal with in today’s toxic political environment.

I made it a point to meet with him afterwards to chat some more about some of the issues in science communication that he brought up; issues that I hadn’t really thought about since my days in graduate school when I studied the same subjects from an academic viewpoint. So, it was a little like going back to a grad school seminar with an engaging professor to discuss it all with. Talking with Mr. Gore was a great pleasure and I’m glad I had the chance to do so.

But, Al Gore was only one of many good speakers we’ve heard since the meeting began. There have been presentations on gaming to teach science, outreach from various public television web pages, issues in medical communication, blogging, vodcasting, the future of print media, and many, many others.

It has been refreshing to meet with science folk from all over the US—indeed, some have come from Canada, Mexico, Sweden and other countries. The overriding issues are really about how we as scientists and science communicators can do a better job of bringing science to the table in social and cultural situations. The “hallway” conversations are as interesting and informative as the scheduled speakers and panelists, and it’s been a privilege to attend.