Travel Diary 13: Berkeley talk 6 Nov 2009 Well, yet again I have utterly utterly failed to embarrass my university by making an idiot of myself in public. In short, the talk (on the Essentialism Myth) to the Vertebrate Zoology crowd at Berkeley went very well I am told. I believe them because instead of sending me on my way surreptitiously, they bought me beer. Lunch with Chuck Crumly of UC Press, Brent Mishler of the Herbarium, and mein host Kevin Padian was lovely, if a little tipsy. I recognised some faces in the crowd, once I had got the computer working. Nick Matzke, once of NCSE and now a doctoral student, was there. Tonight I will take it easy, and tomorrow I meet a crew from talk.origins for pizza and a ferry ride. Then Sunday back home, at last! Administrative Evolution History Philosophy Science Species and systematics Species concept Systematics
Philosophy My Absent Career 13: Critical mass 17 Jan 202318 Jan 2023 Having taught critical reasoning and studied the usual logic for philosophy undergrads, I felt that I had a pretty good understanding of logic and reasoning, at least without getting into modal logics and other such aberrations. Not for the first or last time I mistook confidence for competence. Neil Thomason,… Read More
Biology Names and nomenclature in classification 17 Jul 2010 One of the main focuses in the literature, especially in biology, regarding classification is the problem of nomenclature, of names. Many treat classification as being all about names, an error that is akin to mistaking not the map for the territory, but the names on the map for the territory…. Read More
History Follies d’Air 30 Dec 2007 The New York Times has a long overdue article on the stupidity of airport security measures for those flying to, within or in markets affected by the United States post-9/11. Pointing out that the security screening at airports in no way reduces any threats (but screening luggage does considerably), and… Read More