I love this quote from 20th Century theoretical physicist Richard Feynman, and I’m glad that he was content to live with doubt. I wouldn’t be surprised if the human intellect eventually hits a wall when it comes to understanding things …
Uncertainty May Be a Permanent Condition, and We Need To Be OK with That Read More »
The claim: Japanese students from Osaka Public University engineered and piloted an innovative ‘flying cycle’ aircraft in 2019. Named Tsurugi, the pedal-powered plane achieved a notable flight distance of 19 km (11 mi) during the Yomiuri Television Birdman Rally. Hmmmm. …
Applying Common Sense in Analyzing Scientific Claims Read More »
This from right-wing TV anchor Candace Owens: ‘Listen. I’m not a flat-earther. I’m not a round-earther.’ Actually, what I am is, I am somebody who has left the cult of science. I have left the megachurch of science because what …
Here’s a short video that a reader sent me in which Neil deGrasse Tyson explains the importance of pure research, i.e., theoretical scientific research, normally in physics, performed without an eye towards the development of anything of purpose. He pointed …
When this guy says, “Change my mind,” the response of most of us is: Why? There’s a popular meme circulating that implores Christians to learn how to deal with atheists. Again: Why? The 8.1 billion inhabitants of this planet are …
I would add: Carbon dating has been used since the late 1940s to establish how long ago a member of a certain species lived and died. and There are trees living today that are far older than 4000 years. I …
I’m not sure I would say that this is the true horror of religion, but it’s certainly in the top five. If there is another public intellectual who has a better grasp on these issues than Sam Harris, I hope …
Neuroscientist and Author Sam Harris on Religion Read More »
Though I admire the author’s fierce independence, I urge caution. Yes, parents have the responsibility for their children’s health, but they’re also held accountable when they fail to apply a basic level of reason in these duties. In particular, there …
Question: Anti-vaxxers say that the COVID-19 is dangerous and, in particular, that it causes more fatalities than it prevents. They base this (false) claim on the (groundless) idea that the vaccine has been tested on too few individuals. In fact, …
If you’re looking for an explanation of Trumpism/MAGA, you need search no further than what George Bernard Shaw told us here. This, of course, is the double-edged sword of social media. It connects us to one another, and to true …
