Neurodiversity blogger subpoenaed in "vaccine-autism link" lawsuit

Kathleen Seidel, of Neurodiversity Blog, has been subpoenaed by the plaintiffs' lawyer in a lawsuit claiming that vaccines caused autism. It appears that this subpoena may be retributive action from the lawyer for the plaintiffs, whom Seidel criticized a few weeks ago.

She has since filed a motion to quash the subpoena because she is uninvolved in the Sykes v. Bayer case other than as an independent blogger who has discussed issues related to neurobiology and autism.

This action has many potential impacts for the medical and legal arenas, and opens up the possibility of harassment and undue barriers for bloggers if they can be required to produce the amount of paperwork required in a subpoena at the drop of a hat by a bitter lawyer who perpetuates fraud.

More from:

* Pure Pedantry

* Pharyngula

Tooting our own horn . . .

Our friends at RH* Reality Check just posted that they've named this blog--along with several others--"Excellent."

Thanks to RH Reality Check, and congratulations to WBP and to the blog contributors!

....*that's for Reproductive Health

Live Streaming Video from the NC Science Blog Conference

Alas, I could not attend the North Carolina Science Blogging Conference because of a conflict, but I am so pleased to see that I can attend virtually at the this web site. As fellow blogger Jennifer Ouellette says on her blog, "Blogging can be a somewhat isolated activity. Sure, there's comments and linkages and fostering online conversations and such, but generally I just plug along, cranking out my two or three posts a week on whatever topic captures my whimsy that day. Honestly? Sometimes I forget that I'm not blogging in a void. Today was a nice reminder that I'm part of a large, vibrant community that is changing the face of science, science journalism, science education, and science communication in some very exciting ways."

So far, the sessions are very informative and interesting -- check it out! What science blogger do you know who has cocktail recipes on their blog, like this one?:

The Black Hole
So called because after one of these, you have already passed the event horizon of inebriation.
1 oz. Kahlua
1 oz. vodka.
.5 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec.
.5 oz. dark rum
.5 oz. Amaretto
Pour into an old-fashioned glass over (scant) ice. Stir gently.
Watch time slow.

Next year, I have to go this!