Monthly Archives: September 2011
“Beating the little hater” (or, Jay Smooth kicks my lazy ass)
Jay Smooth of Ill Doctrine speaks truth about self-censorship, self-doubt, perfectionism, procrastination, and creativity: (Check out his YouTube channel and click around for more of his wit, honesty, compassionate politics — and his adorable cat.) I particularly like the last … Continue reading
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Biblical literalism — and religion without God
Two dramatically opposed approaches to faith: 1) Dale McGowan confronts the Biblical literalism of a Jehovah’s Witness and engages in the brilliant conversation I’ve always wanted to have: “Your friend is making a very common mistake,” she said. “He is … Continue reading
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“To make it worth defending”
Jennifer Ouellette recounts physicist Robert Rathburn Wilson’s testimony before Congress in 1969, on whether the government should support the multimillion-dollar particle accelerator that eventually became Fermilab: During the testimony of physicist Robert Rathburn Wilson — a veteran of the Manhattan … Continue reading
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Why government matters, cont’d: Elizabeth Warren on fair taxation
Elizabeth Warren debunks the accusation that a proportional tax on the rich amounts to class warfare, and gives a rousing defense of the social contract: Yes. It strikes me, once again, that it’s a Democrat who’s arguing for the importance … Continue reading
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Thriving on open questions, cont’d
Adam Frank makes the point that, when it comes right down to it — when you take away the special interests, the political posturing, and the calcified cultural and religious reflexes — we actually all do rely on science for … Continue reading
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“An invention that’s killing us”: The double-edged sword of modern time
Our daughter is waging a losing battle with time. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make that sound morbid. No, she’s fine and in good health. But she is discovering what most of us eventually learn — that in the … Continue reading
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Please be true: Beating cancer, and the speed of light
A couple of things to get excited about: 1) Doctors are exploring a new method of fighting cancer — by training the immune system to destroy it. So far, the results have been dramatic. And if these experimental treatments prove … Continue reading
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How many continents are there?
An excellent example of the imprecision of our language, and of how our definitions and categories tend to get fuzzy around the edges: Reality may literally be too complex for words. (via The Dish)
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Richard Dawkins on childhood, religion, and science
The New York Times has an excellent profile of Richard Dawkins — presumably on the occasion of the publication of his first children’s book, The Magic of Reality, now out in the UK and out soon in the US. A … Continue reading
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So what be humanism, me hearties?
Aarrrr! In honor o’ International Talk Like a Pirate Day, here be one o’ me old posts on humanism, done pirate-style. (A taste below.) Want t’see what me whole blog be like in pirate talk? Click ‘ere. An’ ye can … Continue reading
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