I have a new story published on my Across the Universe blog over at The Guardian.

"The Paralympics opening ceremony placed science firmly at the centre of UK culture and enthroned Newton's apple. So, who cares if the story is not really true?

It's been a good week for science. Thanks to the Paralympics opening ceremony, a billion people around the world watched the UK put scientific achievement at the centre of our nation's cultural identity. In a science-inspired show, one of the most striking images was the representation of apples falling to the ground.

In popular myth, an apple fell on Newton's head and implanted the theory of gravity in his brain. It should go without saying that the truth is somewhat less Monty-Pythonesque. For one thing, Newton never said the apple hit him. ..."

You can read the full story here.