The Scientific Method meets Stockholm Syndrome

Every fall, the science news world takes a moment to shift its focus to Sweden, as the Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics, and physiology or medicine are handed out. The actual awarding of the prizes, which happens in December, rarely attracts as much attention. The organizers are looking to change that a bit this year, however. The first-ever Nobel Week Dialog, a one-day meeting of past winners and subject matter experts, is timed to lead off the week's festivities.

Given that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the prize awarded to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins for the discovery of the structure of DNA, the inaugural dialog will be focused on that topic's modern descendants: the Genetic Revolution and its impact on society. And they've invited Ars to take part in the dialog.

So, this weekend, I'll be getting on a plane and heading for Stockholm. Part of my time there will be spent writing about the discussions that will be taking place at the Dialog itself. This will include coverage of some of the talks and panels that will be taking place in Stockholm; I'll also have the opportunity to interview some of the participants. (I'm currently trying to arrange a meeting with Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Svante Pääbo, the man who has helped lead the sequencing of the Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes.)