The concept for the Theatre ZOO came one morning after a night of fitful dreaming. Though my initial intention centered on highlighting and promoting scientific inquiry, I quickly realized that a better way to introduce science to the general community was not through creating a site for science but rather by creating a site for a wide variety of interests with science in the center and capable of reaching out.  Hence, the Theatre ZOO will highlight many disciplines: art, humanities, politics, entertainment and religion.

It is through our various activities as a community that we have created our society, the nuances and influences from each sector contributing to the progression of our evolving identity.   Science does not live in a vacuum and its promotion can’t be through keeping it within the circle of people who are already interested. No meaningful discourse can be generated without actively exposing others to the many facets of the scientific community.

I believe in the pure forms of science, the dialog that arises through inquiry, experimentation and result reproduction. I also believe that, as in genetics, a homogeneous environment ultimately leads to something becoming ‘fixed’ and unchanging unless a new trait is introduced into the pool.  Also, science is pretty good at checking itself, but many aspects of this system are not understood by the general public and lead many to misinterpret or flat out disbelieve the information that scientists publicize. So how do we deal with this? I believe we do so by welcoming others to listen in and/or ask questions of those in the different fields. There are many good science writers, many with higher degrees in the sciences who speak from the inside track, who may be heard by few others than their peers. This won’t help, their works need to be read by those who don’t know the subjects. People need the opportunity to learn from more than headlines and emotional beliefs.

The non-science aspect of the Theatre ZOO has two specific tasks: to link non-science individuals to scientifically-minded people and to promote unincorporated talents. I hold a high respect for artists and thinkers of all stripes.  I want to help advocate unknown artists, designers and writers by creating a space for these individuals to showcase their endeavors. Unlike many social sites where one must specifically target a subject or follow a certain site, The Theatre ZOO will showcase as much as it can to all members on its site’s activity page and cloud tags.

Additionally, because there is an opportunity to create your own blog and import from outside blogging activity, this network is meant to go beyond 140 characters and status updates. I want full expression of one’s interests.

I want artwork, fashion design and stories.

I want commentary on politics and religion.

I want scientific musings from the lab and the field.

So, whatever your discipline, come join in, create your own blog and share your work and thoughts with others in the ZOO, learn something and make new connections.

And along the way…

Enjoy the Show!