An irregular exploration of the struggle between the power of rational discourse and the scientific method on one hand, and the forces of superstition and dogma on the other.
James Hrynyshyn is a freelance science journalist based in western North Carolina, where he tries to put degrees in marine biology and journalism to good use.
The Demon-Haunted World:
Science as a Candle
in the Dark,
by Carl Sagan
(A
review)
The Doubter's Companion:
by John Ralston Saul (Excerpts)
Skeptic Magazine: www.skeptic.com
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal: www.csicop.org
A poem by Yehuda Amichai:
The
Place
Where We Are Right
The Meaning of the
Island of Doubt
By doubting we come to inquiry; and through inquiry we perceive truth.
--- Peter Abelard
Undisguised clarity is easily mistaken for arrogance.
-- Richard Dawkins
As for evolution, it happened. Deal with it.
-- Michael Shermer.
August 31, 2007
Category: climate
Naomi Oreskes, the researcher who could find not a single peer-reviewed climate science publication that disagreed with the consensus that humans are largely to blame for global warming, defends herself against a pathetic attempt to show that she was wrong....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 5:04 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
But I don't think we should be worrying about such distant futures. Our concern should be for those who will have to deal with the much close future, including possibly ourselves.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:25 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 29, 2007
Category: climate
Lomborg's real problem is not that he's too skeptical of climate change alarmism, but that he's too gullible when it comes to believing economic reports.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 3:19 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
The thawing of Arctic ice typically continues until mid-September, virtually ensuring that next summer's melt season will begin with a much-reduced base of what used to be called "permanent" ice.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:48 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 28, 2007
Category: politics
In the end, science does in our loyal correspondent.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:54 AM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 27, 2007
Category: climate
The climate change denial gang is so predictable. Even when the science as written, and as covered by reputable science journalists, makes it clear that the new evidence bolsters the general consensus, there are those who will give the findings...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:40 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 24, 2007
Category: pseudo-science
So Leonardo DiCaprio is picking up where Al Gore left off in the battle to keep Earth habitable. Is this a good thing?...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:53 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: science culture
The New York Times' Sandra Blakeslee reports today that a group of researchers has managed to induce the famous "out-of-body" feeling that sometimes accompanies near-death experiences. So goes another piece of evidence for the "soul." They employed virtual reality gear...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:03 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 23, 2007
Category: religiosity
The argument that atheists should try hard not to offend people of faith, lest we further polarize the two factions, assumes that the meek will inherit the earth, not the rhetorically courageous. But what historical evidence is there for this...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:10 PM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 22, 2007
Category: climate
It's the big question that bedevils climate science and politics: how close are these "tipping points" beyond which things get very bad very fast? Tim Lenton of the Laboratory for Global Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of East...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:37 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 21, 2007
Category: cetacea
Actually, burning it would probably be better than this. A barge overturned and dumped a loaded diesel truck in waters just metres from Robson Bight, one of those areas where the term "ecologically sensitive" just doesn't do seem to do...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:32 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 20, 2007
Category: religiosity
It's not the scientist's job to ignore "inconvenient" facts or sugar-coat the truth.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 11:20 AM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 16, 2007
Category: climate
Turns out what we don't know is perhaps the most frightening thing of all
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:26 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 15, 2007
Category: climate
I have to admit that I don't welcome the question, because it tends to lead to a drawn-out debate ... but I do have an answer.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:45 AM • 20 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 14, 2007
Category: religiosity
This approach to science -- turning your back on the culture, but embracing the benefits when it suits you -- reminds of those who refuse to vaccinate their children.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:47 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 10, 2007
Category: climate
How will Al Gore, James Hansen and all the other "enviromoonbats" recover from this embarrassing revelation? Probably without breaking a sweat, I would think.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:37 PM • 12 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
"The current negative sea ice anomalies almost guarantees a record Northern Hemisphere summer sea ice minimum this summer."
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:44 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 9, 2007
Category: climate
When they talk about dangerous climate change, I don't think this is what they had in mind....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:31 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: ecology
The South Nahanni River defies description. It is one of the most spectacular lengths of runnable river in the world. It lies in the southwestern corner of Canada's Northwest Territories and offers one of the more accessible wilderness adventures in...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 12:43 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: cetacea
First, the bad news: the current issue of Biology Letters reports the extinction of the baiji, or Yangtze River dolphin, in what amounts to the official publication of an earlier announcement that the species could no longer be found in...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:32 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 8, 2007
Category: climate
It is perhaps wise for non-religious campaigners to set aside their irreconcilable differences with those who irrationally oppose abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cells research
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 1:44 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 7, 2007
Category: politics
The real reason why so many academics opposed the war is it was a stupid idea. It's the same thing with climate change, or evolution or stem cells, or abstinence-only sex education.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 3:12 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 6, 2007
One of the best environment reporters, not just in Canada but anywhere, died last week at the age of 57. Dennis Bueckert, was one of the best, knowing what constituted a story of importance, like climate change, long before his...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:43 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
The inconvenient contradiction is not easily resolved.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 8:22 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 3, 2007
Category: biology
If this isn't a sign of the apocalypse, I don't know what is. Seven legs, double-gendered and bowel-challenged, according to the Herald-Sun. What a way to start your weekend. (Click for full size image.)...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:35 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
August 2, 2007
For those without tenure or some such secure financial and social bulwark against the bigotry so common among overzealous theists, announcing your apostastic or skeptical philosophy is not so easy.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:49 AM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
