Speaking of scientists, here's one getting in a kerfuffle with creationists.
His final paragraph is a very efficient description of the epistomological differences between creationists and scientists. The scientific approach is not inconsistent with religious faith. It's only inconsistent with a dedication to remaining ignorant.
The true tragedy of “creation science” is that it is an invitation to stop thinking. Instead of taking puzzling aspects of Nature as clues to something deeper, and mulling over the possible lessons we can learn from them in our quest to undertand the universe better and better, the creationist attitude just wants to say “God did it!” and declare victory. It’s a form of giving-up that could have been invoked thousands of times in the history of science, but thankfully was not. Instead, stubborn naturalistic investigators took seriously the clues they had, and used them to gradually uncover marvelous new features of the natural world. And that’s what we’ll continue to do.
Scully got there first: "Nothing happens in contradiction to nature. Only in contradiction to what we know of it." (She was a devoutly Catholic character, too.)
Someone just informed me I had glitter on me. I think my "I know. It's on purpose" was a bit terse, because he apologised. Still, I don't see why it's worth talking about.
Some people at krav remark on it, and the more seasoned others answer for me: "When doesn't she have glitter on?" Silly questions. Silly questioner.
Just got sent into a meeting with insufficient information. Which means I need to become more of a pain in the ass.
So hot: my cousin just called with an extra ticket for Shakespeare in the Park! That her sister and mother waited outside for seven hours to get! And now it will be MINE ALL MINE. It's not actually Shakespeare; it's Brecht. Starring MERYL STREEP. I am PSYCHED.
Awwww.... from a report on the Dixie Chicks in concert:
The Chicks sent out “White Trash Wedding” to Mel Gibson. “You know how it is,” Natalie said. “You get drunk, you say things … All our controversies probably would have gone away if I checked into rehab the next day.” One fan held up a sign that said, “I’m gay but I love Chicks.” “Aw, that’s sweet,” Natalie said. “I’m straight, but I love gay people!”
[link]
And IOGiantCreaturesAttackingEastCoastN, Massive Manatee Spotted In NYC's Hudson River...
OK, so it's not really attacking... yet.
Aww - I was at that concert. The Chicks were really good, but I swear, I wish people would go off script a bit more at these big shows.
I want a picture of the manatee! I love them!
I get to go to the Chicks soon! Yay.
I'm too late to wish Tom good luck, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Good Luck, Tom!
OMG, have people seen this local news broadcast about the "leprechaun"?
[link]
I'm dying. I just watched it once and made my officemate watch it immediately after.