Off to the wilds of Oxfordshire 14 May 2010 So, tomorrow I fly to Oxford (well, to Heathrow, and bus to Oxford) to this conference on religion and toleration. It looks to be an interesting conference, and I am commenting on a paper by one of my favourite anthropologist/psychologists, Ara Norenzayan from UBC. It includes such luminaries as Amartya Sen, Robin Dunbar (he of the number), and Patricia Churchland, to name a few. I get to comment for 5 minutes, which makes the carbon footprint of each word I utter something inexpressible. Many thanks to Steve Clarke for the invite. I’m travelling with my daughter as a 21st birthday present, to show her that the world is larger than her country town home (I think she may know this). We’ll meander around the south of England for a few days after the conference before coming home. Administrative Evolution Philosophy Politics Religion AdministrativeEvolutionPhilosophy
Creationism and Intelligent Design Dembski can’t weasel out of this one 19 Mar 2009 Ian Musgrave has a brilliant post showing that Dembski’s revisiting of the old creationist canard that Dawkins’ 1984 Weasel program, designed to show that random variation and selective retention can “evolve” a target phrase, in this case Shakespeare’s “Methinks it is a weasel” (oops; I nearly had my own mutation… Read More
Evolution Basic introduction to homology 20 Jan 2009 From Evolution: Education and Outreach comes a nice introduction to the concept of homology. Late note: OK, not so good. I saw only the cute pix, and presumed the author understood paraphyly. But as I didn’t have an entirely functional computer at the time I leapt in too soon. See… Read More
General Science Lucretius and the papal secretary 25 Feb 201927 Feb 2019 In 1417, during the Council of Constance that reunited the Catholic Church in the west, a papal secretary took advantage of the location in Germany to visit some libraries, while the papacy was vacant. He was hunting manuscripts, but not the newly written ones. Instead Gian Francesco Poggio was seeking… Read More
Please blow the good people of Oxford West and Abingdon a fat raspberry from me for their appalling decision last Thursday.
Sounds like a good mix for a trip. Hope you both enjoy you’re time here. Was rather taken with the title of Dominic Johnston’s talk. An interesting question.
Ah, Dave. I’m assuming we’re on Stovold’s fourth variation here, given the circus opening? Central laterals counting double and Finsbury Park wild? Inner Ring Road.
Oh, dear! Has anyone warned the good folks of southern England about the impending beer shortage? Have a great time!
To mark the occasion, I will refrain from burning heretics for at least a week. International rules, appendix II. Hollywood/Vine
Thank Robin Dunbar from me for one of the best popular science books ever The Trouble With Science. Theydon Bois
When we were children flying was still special enough to merit a mention. I, 1965 I traveled to the UK via a transport ship—do they still exist? But now it would only be noteworthy if you traveled by ship or dirigible or sub-orbital something-or-other. So, yeah, you traveled to Oxford. I always visit Ely cathedral when I’m in the area, due to a passion for the history.