Women do physics – but you wouldn't know from 'Oppenheimer'

+ loneliness is a health hazard US Edition - Today's top story: Female physicists aren't represented in the media – and this lack of representation hurts the physics field [View in browser]( US Edition | 15 July 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer,” set for release July 21, portrays the development of the atomic bomb. But while many female physicists made headway in nuclear science and were a part of the Manhattan Project, the trailer doesn’t depict many women – and none of the women in it are doing physics. Turns out, “Oppenheimer” isn’t the only movie [to neglect representation]( of women in physics. When I spoke with two experts from the University of Pittsburgh, Carl Kurlander and Chandralekha Singh, they were hard-pressed to name even one example of popular media that appropriately represent female physicists. “Our intention is not to disparage the ‘Oppenheimer’ movie, but to point out that by not centering media attention on diverse voices – including those of women in physics – filmmakers perpetuate the status quo and stereotypes about who belongs in physics,” write Kurlander and Singh. “Additionally, young women continue to be deprived of exposure to role models who could inspire their academic and professional journeys.” This week we also liked articles about [tales of adventures at sea](, how [drugs have been part of spiritual life]( for thousands of years and why it’s fair for the government to [prosecute former President Donald Trump](. Mary Magnuson Assistant Science Editor Lise Meitner, in the front row, sits alongside many male colleagues at the Seventh Solvay Physics Conference in 1933. Corbin Historical via Getty Images [Female physicists aren’t represented in the media – and this lack of representation hurts the physics field]( Carl Kurlander, University of Pittsburgh; Chandralekha Singh, University of Pittsburgh The trailer for ‘Oppenheimer’ fails to include female physicists, which is indicative of a broader media trend that, if reversed, could lead to greater gender diversity in science. Novels about underwater adventures offer a glimpse at oceanic life. fotograzia via Getty Images [Classic literature still offers rich lessons about life in the deep blue sea]( Jonathan Bate, Arizona State University The recent tragedy of the Titan submersible bore striking parallels to one of the most widely read novels about life at sea. Getting high to get spiritual insight isn’t a new pursuit. bestdesigns/iStock via Getty Images [Drugs and religion have been a potent combination for millennia, from cannabis at ancient funerary sites to psychedelic retreats today]( Gary Laderman, Emory University A scholar of religion who is writing a book on sacred drugs explains how today’s ‘psychedelic renaissance’ reflects a millennia-long history of using intoxicants to seek insight and connection. - [Curing America’s loneliness epidemic would make us healthier, fitter and less likely to abuse drugs]( Clay Marsh, West Virginia University At least half of surveyed US adults experienced loneliness and social isolation. - [Why Trump’s prosecution for keeping secret documents is lawful, constitutional, precedented, nonpartisan and merited]( Dakota Rudesill, The Ohio State University A former national security staffer, now a scholar of secrecy law, says criticisms of Trump’s federal indictment for hoarding classified documents are unfounded. - [Corals are starting to bleach as global ocean temperatures hit record highs]( Ian Enochs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Water temperatures in the 90s off Florida in July are alarming, a NOAA coral scientist writes. Scientists in several North American countries have already spotted coral bleaching off their coasts. - [Hollywood on the picket line – 5 unsung films that put America’s union history on the silver screen]( - [Why a handwritten will found in Aretha Franklin’s couch got R‑E‑S‑P‑E‑C‑T from a jury]( - [3 ways Black people say their white co-workers and managers can support them and be an antidote to systemic racism]( - [Putting a price on exoskeleton assistance puts users in the driver’s seat of honing the tech]( - [Living near the fire – 500 million people worldwide have active volcanoes as neighbors]( - [Promising assisted reproductive technologies come with ethical, legal and social challenges – a developmental biologist and a bioethicist discuss IVF, abortion and the mice with two dads]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( A handwritten will by singer Aretha Franklin, signed "A. Franklin" with a smiley face, was ruled valid by a Michigan jury on July 11. Where was the will found? - A. On a croquet manual in her attic - B. On a cocktail napkin in a suitcase - C. On a notebook wedged in a couch - D. On the back of a painting of poker-playing dogs - [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Spoutible]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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