Month: February 2015

RIP, Leonard Nimoy

As a Star Trek fan, I’m saddened to hear that the person I’ve always seen as the face of that franchise is gone. But I take consolation from the fact that he did live long and prosper.

Whatever

He passed away today at 83.Here’s the New York Times obituary. Doubt there are many people in the world who were so plainly and simply admired as he was, and is.

And rather than to be entirely sad about the end of a life lived well and prosperously, here’s a couple of music videos for you.

Rest in peace, Leonard Nimoy. We are, will always be, your friends.

View original post

Shoulder update, hopefully the last

Just a quick follow up on my previous shoulder update post on my recent shoulder pain struggles.  The second doctor thought the surgery recommendation was premature.  He recommended conservative treatment, including a cortisone shot and physical therapy exercises, followed by a second shot in a month or two, if needed.  Only if problems persisted after that would he … Continue reading Shoulder update, hopefully the last →

A close pass by a red dwarf star, and a note on interplanetary and interstellar distances

First, in case you haven't heard: 70,000 Years Ago, Another Star Flew by the Edge of the Solar System | RealClearScience. According to an international team of astronomers, about 70,000 years ago a red dwarf star -- nicknamed "Scholz’s star" for the astronomer who discovered it -- passed by our solar system just 0.8 light years … Continue reading A close pass by a red dwarf star, and a note on interplanetary and interstellar distances →

Twelve Angry Philosophers – Existential Comics

Click through for full version. continued at Twelve Angry Philosophers - Existential Comics. I think the final panels in the full version represent the end result of most philosophical debates.  Not that we shouldn't have those debates, but we should be conscious of the fact that many philosophical problems have no authoritative answer.  Some, and this … Continue reading Twelve Angry Philosophers – Existential Comics →

Religion, the Axial Age, and theoretic culture

I recently read the late Robert Bellah's 'Religion in Human Evolution: From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age.'  Although the title of the book seems to narrow it to just religion, in ancient societies, religion was just about everything, so the book ended up being about the development of cultures, which isn't too surprising given … Continue reading Religion, the Axial Age, and theoretic culture →

Zombies discussing philosophical zombies

Click through for full sized version, and philosophical explanation if you're not familiar with David Chalmer's and Daniel Dennett's positions on philosophical zombies. Philosophy Humans - Existential Comics. I can't say I've ever been too impressed with the idea of a philosophical zombie.  I could see maybe a zombie existing that behaves identically to a … Continue reading Zombies discussing philosophical zombies →

Steven Weinberg’s new book on the history of science

Jerry Coyne has a post up discussing Steven Weinberg's new book on the history of science, including an exclusive excerpt: Steven Weinberg’s new book on the history of science (with excerpts) « Why Evolution Is True. The portion of the excerpt that spoke most clearly to me was this passage near the end: Science is not now … Continue reading Steven Weinberg’s new book on the history of science →

What do you think about machines that think?

The Edge question for this year was, "What do you think about machines that think?"  There are a lot of good responses, and some predictably inane ones.  Daniel Dennett gives a good write up on why the Singularity is overblown, and points out something that I've said myself, that the real danger isn't artificial intelligence, but … Continue reading What do you think about machines that think? →