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.
February 29, 2008
Category: climate
Even the travel writer, who actually walked on the tell-tale evidence himself, knew better than to equate the current weather conditions on the mountain with long-term trends in global temperature averages
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:58 PM • 24 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 27, 2008
Category: climate
The IPCC consensus is not particularly useful to those hoping to draw attention to the actual severity of the problem, but it's still useful in drawing attention to the existence of a consensus, which is very real.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:59 AM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 26, 2008
Category: medicine
Many of us here at ScienceBlogs like to point out that most"alternative" medicines are basically placebos masquerading as the genuine article.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:59 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
One of the most unambiguous denunciations of an entire body of scientific knowledge ever uttered by an American corporate executive.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:42 AM • 80 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 21, 2008
Category: ecology
The most important factor to consider is that bluefin tuna populations aren't doing particularly well.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:50 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Sci-culture
The Great White North is now less progressive on science and climate change than the Great Satan.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:43 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 20, 2008
Category: religiosity
According to the BBC, "an Israeli MP has blamed parliament's tolerance of gays for earthquakes that have rocked the Holy Land recently." Whoa....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 4:13 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
Significant progress remains before such a tax leads to more investment in clean alternatives.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 11:51 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 19, 2008
Category: climate
It's kind of like sneaking a climate change program through the back door of wildlife conservation
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 12:16 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 18, 2008
Category: climate
I see no reason not to start referring to the climate crisis instead of mere climate change or global warming
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:44 AM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 15, 2008
Category: climate
Yet another example of a politician putting the cart before the horse.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 3:18 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 13, 2008
Category: science culture
Some folks are pushing for the US Postal Service to issue a stamp or two bearing the image of the late great Carl Sagan. I say, if they can put out a Star Wars series, they can bloody well do...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 12:48 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
What I find fascinating are the authors' references to shortcomings in the IPCC reports, and their ability to generate their predictions anyway.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:52 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 11, 2008
Category: politics
Great. We have a date for the still-theoretical Science Debate 2008. Is its fate to remain in that unrealized state, or will it rise above the level of rhetorical bait, and actually engage the candidates in an exchange about the...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 10:29 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
We need a candidate for the White House who understands both the nature of the challenge of climate change and the opportunity it presents.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:46 AM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 8, 2008
Category: humor
Friday morning chuckle: The Science Channel asks William Shatner about scotched plans to get him into space:...
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:45 AM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 7, 2008
Category: cetacea
Whales hear through their jaws, right? Maybe not, if a new study is correct......
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 10:11 AM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: religiosity
At what point on the wide spectrum of belief in that for which there is no evidence do we grant the respect that Christians ask of rationalists?
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 7:52 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 6, 2008
Category: politics
The editors of Nature, that really important science journal, have weighed in on the wisdom of holding a presidential debate devoted exclusively to science policy. They aren't impressed with Science Debate 2008. There reasons are severalfold......
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 2:58 PM • 8 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: politics
I need help with this election thingy....
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 10:00 AM • 13 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
February 1, 2008
Category: politics
"The concept of free speech is non-existent at Environment Canada. They are manufacturing the message of science."
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 3:30 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: climate
It's not academic credentials and expertise that matter in the debate. It's the evidence.
Posted by James Hrynyshyn at 9:01 AM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
