Defending scientism: mathematics is a part of science
I have to admit to pretty much agreeing with Coel's main points in this post, which anyone who read my recent post on logic probably won't find too surprising. The idea of math and logic resting on empirical foundations seems to be ferociously resisted, I think because those foundations don't feel empirical, mainly because we … Continue reading Defending scientism: mathematics is a part of science
xkcd: California drought
I'm reminded of Jared Diamond's point in his book 'Collapse' about Montana, that if it were an independent civilization with the same environmental problems, not integrated with the rest of the United State, that it might have already collapsed. Seeing this about California's drought, it's tempting to wonder the same thing about them, or the … Continue reading xkcd: California drought
Why is there something rather than nothing? Why would there be nothing?
Amanda Gefter has an interesting article at Nautilus looking at a somewhat perennial question: How can something come from nothing? The Bridge From Nowhere - Issue 16: Nothingness - Nautilus. In science, explanations are built of cause and effect. But if nothing is truly nothing, it lacks the power to cause. It’s not simply that we … Continue reading Why is there something rather than nothing? Why would there be nothing?
A Dialog on Happiness – Existential Comics
What is happiness? I think anyone who has ever given the question serious thought realizes that there is no one simple answer. Click though for the full version. via A Dialog on Happiness - Existential Comics. I would say that Amencia's first example is defective though. If the man hooked up to the machine is watching … Continue reading A Dialog on Happiness – Existential Comics
Poseidon’s Children: a review of the first two books
I've recently read the first two books in Alastair Reynolds's new series, 'Poseidon's Children': 'Blue Remembered Earth' and 'On the Steel Breeze'. I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of Reynolds's work, and these books fit his usual style: hard(ish) science fiction, a rich and interesting universe, and characters in interesting situations and dilemmas. The … Continue reading Poseidon’s Children: a review of the first two books
IBM’s Watson: Cognitive or Sentient?
I've heard of Watson of course, the supercomputer system that won at Jeopardy, but I think I stilled picked up some interesting bits from this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmPlBJgmU1o Iwata is clear that Watson isn't sentient or conscious, but listening to him, I'm sure many people will be creeped out by its learning abilities.
SMBC on “science” channels
I find that the actual Science Channel is still pretty good, with shows like 'Through the Wormhole' or 'How the Universe Works', which makes the terminology Wiener uses here unfortunate. But the point he makes fits for just about every other cable "educational" channel. These channels once had decent material but have devolved into mostly crap of … Continue reading SMBC on “science” channels
Logic and the World
Origins of Hierarchy: How Egyptian Pharaohs Rose to Power
Stephanie Pappas has an interesting post at LiveScience: Origins of Hierarchy: How Egyptian Pharaohs Rose to Power. The rulers of ancient Egypt lived in glorious opulence, decorating themselves with gold and perfumes and taking their treasures with them to the grave. But how could such a hierarchical, despotic system arise from egalitarian hunter-gatherer societies? The … Continue reading Origins of Hierarchy: How Egyptian Pharaohs Rose to Power
SelfAwarePatterns 