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
Administrative Travel Diary 12: Berkeley 5 Nov 2009 Today I had the pleasure of meeting my editor, Chuck Crumly, of University of California Press, who noted that my book is now an e-book. And cheaper than the printed version, too. Chuck, to no surprise from me, is an erudite and enthusiastic science fan, and Yet Another Nice Guy,… Read More
Administrative A new comment policy? 6 May 2011 From Barry Ritholz’s blog Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data, ability to repeat discredited memes, and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Also, be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor even implied. Any irrelevancies you… Read More
Philosophy On Templeton money 4 Jun 2010 I work on the naturalising of religion: that is, the philosophical implications of religion being an evolved and natural human phenomenon; I’m even writing a book about it. I would love to get a grant to support that work, and indeed as an academic I am required to seek grant… Read More