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. Mostly regarding climate change, though.
James Hrynyshyn is a freelance science journalist and communications consultant based in western North Carolina, where he tries to put degrees in marine biology and journalism to good use.
Author's site: cyamid.netPenetrating so many secrets, we cease to believe in the unknowable. But there it sits nevertheless, calmly licking its chops.
--- H. L. Mencken
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.
"There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things
which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand.
Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving, and
tiny blasts of tinny trumpets, we have met the enemy, and not only may
he be ours, he may be us."
--Walt Kelly
This has nothing to do with climatology, or science in general, but I can't resist sharing it with you. From the instructions to our new DTV antenna, which until the Great Ice Storm of 2010 damaged its transformer-coaxial connection, brought...
Too precious not to pass along: Canadian Tourism Federation Welcome Video from Canadian Tourism Federation on Vimeo. In case there's any doubt. There is no "Canadian Tourism Federation."...
From the Center for American Progress, via Climate Progress: and from the comments to Joe Romm's post: Mark Shapiro says: August 18, 2009 at 11:01 am . . . "It would be great if the skeptics were right!" That's a...
And now for something completely different. Nothing to do with climate change, pseudoscience, religiosity or even Twitter. I post it here because I am a freelancer. And everyone who has ever freelanced, or used a freelancer, or thought about freelancing,...
Which of these recent developments raises your eyebrows the highest? Russia is planning a fleet of floating and submersible nuclear power stations to exploit Arctic oil and gas reserves, causing widespread alarm among environmentalists. (The Guardian, May 3, 2009) Gov....
This comment, posted to a Yahoo Finance forum by one dianasullivan1953 in response to a pointer to my recent post about the possible end of coal, was a great start to the day. I laughed for ages....
Why would I care what you're doing? The 140-character limit. Just another opportunity to interrupt real-world social interactions. Enabling attention-deficit disorder sufferers doesn't seem a like a particularly good idea these days. Gives NPR Weekend Edition host Scott Simon...
"Neuroscientists fear brain drain" (Globe and Mail, March 12, 2009) It's about research funding drying up in Canada, while Obama pours more into U.S. labs....
It's time for the Union of Concerned Scientists' annual scientific integrity editorial cartoon contest. See the candidates and vote for your favorite here. My favorite:...