Massimo Pigliucci is doing an interesting series of posts on his philosophical positions. In the first part [19] of this ambitious (and inevitably, insufficient) essay I sought to write down and briefly defend a number of fundamental positions that characterize my “philosophy,” i.e., my take on important questions concerning philosophy, science and the nature of … Continue reading My philosophy, so far — part II | Scientia Salon
Category: Zeitgeist
GMO food labels: Would label laws in Vermont, Maine, Connecticut increase food costs?
A piece in Slate serves to remind us that conservatives don't have a monopoly on anti-scientific notions. The GMO anxiety seems mostly driven from the left. (I say this as a liberal). Those who see the GMO label leading to higher food prices begin (as they should) by highlighting the sham science that’s been used to … Continue reading GMO food labels: Would label laws in Vermont, Maine, Connecticut increase food costs?
Using a Neti pot to relieve cold symptoms
So, I've been fighting a cold for the last several days, and using something to relieve my symptoms that it seems most people in the west still haven't heard of: the Neti pot. It's a device often used by radio DJs, TV reporters, singers, and many others to avoid sounding congested when they have to go on … Continue reading Using a Neti pot to relieve cold symptoms
Cosmos and civilization collapse through climate change
So, this note might be met with skepticism, but I had no idea when I composed my Bronze Age collapse entry this weekend that Cosmos would discuss how climate change had affected various civilizations throughout history, notably the Akkadian empire in Mesopotamia. Some of the interactions I had with people after that post makes a bit … Continue reading Cosmos and civilization collapse through climate change
What Scientific Arrogance Really Looks Like — Starts With A Bang! — Medium
Ethan Siegel weighs in on the Tyson / philosophy controversy. Siegel is a theoretical physicist, notably a cosmologist which I believe is Tyson's own specialty. But Siegel's views on philosophy appear to be much more informed. Now, philosophy doesn’t have the answers, but it does teach ways to consider the limits of our knowledge. And … Continue reading What Scientific Arrogance Really Looks Like — Starts With A Bang! — Medium
Quantum twist could kill off the multiverse, and Boltzmann brains
THE multiverse is dead, long live the multiverse. A radical new way of looking at quantum mechanics suggests that even the multiverse will come to an end. A popular view of the multiverse says that our universe is just one of an ever-inflating multitude of discrete "bubble" universes. These bubbles are eternally budding off new … Continue reading Quantum twist could kill off the multiverse, and Boltzmann brains
Philosopher Fridays: Russell
If I hadn't been sick for the last couple of days with a head filled with mush, I would have called your attention to Michelle Joelle's outstanding post on Neil deGrasse Tyson and philosophy. She made many excellent points that I failed to mention. Well, better late than never. Michelle has done a follow up … Continue reading Philosopher Fridays: Russell
It’s time to look for life in Europa’s ocean
Lee Billings has a fascinating article up at Aeon asking why we continue to send missions to Mars when the best chance of life existing today is in Europa's underground ocean. If Europa is alive, if some biology dwells within those dark waters, the implications would be even more staggering than finding life on Mars. … Continue reading It’s time to look for life in Europa’s ocean
Neil deGrasse Tyson and the value of philosophy
Some of us, led by Michelle Joelle, had a Twitter conversation about this the other day. Apparently Tyson is doubling down on his views about philosophy, which is unfortunate for such a public figure. Tyson is a brilliant science communicator, but he appears to have some serious blind spots.
The mythology that circles Phineas Gage
Slate has an interesting article on Phineas Gage, and about how his story has been mythologized and overhyped over the years. On Sept. 13, 1848, at around 4:30 p.m., the time of day when the mind might start wandering, a railroad foreman named Phineas Gage filled a drill hole with gunpowder and turned his head … Continue reading The mythology that circles Phineas Gage
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