Science


O’reilly

I had an unfortunate accident last night. On the way home from work, I was, as usual, scanning through the radio stations trying to avoid commercials and find scraps of good listening material.
Just a few minutes from home the station scan found O’reilly saying come back after the break to hear my interview with a scientist about intelligent design. It hooked me. Damn.
PZ Meyers accurately describes the person I was listening to:

I have never, in my entire 12 year career as a college instructor, ever had a student as stupid, as dense, as arrogant, as oblivious, as Bill O�Reilly. I have never had a conversation with a lay person about science that was as grossly wrong as this eructation of ignorance out of the mouth of Bill O�Reilly. And this man is a highly paid commentator on a nationally broadcast and popular program?
I am really impressed with Dr Michael Grant, though. He actually managed to sit through that and make civil and competent responses. I would have been shocked into silence, or would have simply left the room as soon as he said, �there are four seasons. That�s science.�

Read the rest.


Rebelling Against the Future

Not everyone rebels. It is just the vast majority of people who find learning painful.
Marvin Minsky, Closer to Truth # 210: How Does Technology Transform Society?

Closer to Truth is

a new cross-media genre presenting to broad public audiences “Knowledge Affairs” in which the fundamental questions of our times are explored by creative and thoughtful scientists, scholars and artists.

If you have a broadband connection watch Closer to Truth programs online. If not find them periodically on the Research Channel on your local cabel/satellite system.
1Show 210: How Does Technology Transform Society?

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