Archive for November, 2006
This is why I love the internet
Consider: By what means could this artist share his works 15 years ago? How many people would have seen it? The internet loves art!
Filed under culture, sites i like : Comments (0) : Nov 30th, 2006
Filler Post
I don’t have a fully thought out post for you, but I needed to throw something up to replace the [now outdated] Thanksgiving thing.
I will say this: Buy Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” for everyone on your Christmas list. It’s a really delightful look at religion & science and how they intersect. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish it before the public library needed it back, so I can’t give out a full report. But I will attest to the first half of the book. It’s good.
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Nov 27th, 2006
Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Nov 23rd, 2006
Science
I engaged in a wonderful debate over the weekend with some conservative friends and came to a bizarre rhetoric junction: I found myself arguing the merits of science. I found this bizarre because to me, it’s a non-issue. The pursuit of scientific exploration and discovery is one of the great functions of human civilization. To suggest that the benefit of science is debatable on the same level as, say, the benefit of tax cuts is totally backwards and wrong. Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority.
Science is one of the few places one can find Truth. It is not based on conjecture, opinion, hearsay, myth, or faith. Science is not politics. Science is not journalism. Science is certainly not religion. Science is built exclusively on truths that combine to make Truth.
One of the most important facets of science is the (aptly named) scientific method. The scientific method requires measurable, repeatable, documented observations that together prove or disprove a hypothesis. By following the scientific method, scientists can remove the human element from the end result. Any properly trained and equipped scientist could repeat an experiment to confirm some assertion. Before any scientific study is published, it must endure the scrutiny of peer review to ensure its merit.
I cannot stress this last point enough. Unlike politics, religion, journalism, etc., this ensures that the end result of the scientific method is entirely separated from the scientist. There is no room for spin, interpretation, bias, or opinion. This is why I capitalize Truth. Science is the closest thing to Truth that we will ever know.
A common counter-argument to the merits of science is that scientific Truth changes. That is, what was once considered Truth is now rejected as a flawed theory. To the contrary, the ability for science to correct prior errors makes it all the more powerful. The continuous search for Truth is what makes science so important.
Now the hook: the Bush administration has been very hostile towards science. They have cut funding at the EPA and NASA (among others) to the point where important studies cannot be done. They have stifled reports and attempted to discredit important findings by countering with opposing “studies”. Case in point: global warming. There are over one thousand peer reviewed studies in print that conclude that humans are drastically altering the composition of the earths atmosphere and, therefore, climate. There are zero peer reviewed studies that conclude otherwise.
Yet by finding a handful of scientists to go on national television and refute this conclusion, the Bush administration has convinced the American public that the issue is still up for debate. You might notice an important distinction: there may be plenty of scientists that think global warming is a myth. You will find exactly zero peer reviewed scientific studies that conclude the same. Unfortunately, most people are not familiar enough with science to understand this fundamental difference.
One final point: Does the federal government have any responsibility to fund science? In one sense, no. Nowhere in the Constitution of the United States is scientific funding mandated. Then again, neither is funding a standing army, which we seem unable to live without. If the intent of funding the military is to protect America from harm, then so too should be the intent of funding science. The threats may be different–global warming, toxic pollutants, food shortages–but the goal is the same: to protect America from harm.
It is absolutely critical that we citizens understand the power and value of science and that we demand it be funded by our government. We can’t afford not to.
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (1) : Nov 14th, 2006
That good ol’ second amendment
I had a personal first yesterday: firing a handgun. Brandon and I went to the local shooting range, handed over some cash and a driver’s license, and took care of 100 rounds and 4 targets. I am delighted by how easy it was to get a gun at the range–significantly less rigor than renting a DVD. While firing the gun, I also took time to mentally thank our founding fathers who drafted the all-important Second Amendment.
It is my firm belief that we would be better of if every man, woman, and [appropriately-aged] child knew how to safely handle a firearm. I sickens me whenever I read about a child killing himself or his friend by playing with a gun. Without exception, a gun belongs in a safe, with a trigger lock, and without any rounds in the chamber. Likewise, any gun is handled as though it is loaded. If more people were actually educated about firearms, I would hope that gun accidents would greatly diminish.
Unlike many of my gun-loving compatriots, I don’t want every Tom, Dick, and Harry to be allowed to carry their handgun around in public. Knowing how to use a gun and knowing when to use a gun are two very different skill sets. I would hate to live in a world where every purse-nabbing punk is liable to be gunned down. (i.e. the state of Florida).
This anti-conceal & carry exception is in keeping with the Framers’ intent. The Second Amendment provides the right to arm ourselves–to protect our rights against government intrusion. We are not granted the right to assume the role of judge, jury, and executioner for every dead-beat criminal on the street.
Takeaway: Do yourself a favor, go down to the local range, and learn to use a gun.
Filed under Uncategorized : Comments (0) : Nov 12th, 2006
