Sunday's papers

I am reading the Athens Banner-Herald online more and more. There is really some good newspaper writing and often pretty well balanced discussion. One of the op eds that captured my attention in today's paper is by Mark Farmer: Dogma just can't replace real science

I suppose I will never repair my scientist's brain which drives a thirst for information. I am not so much hoping for pure and proven "truths." as I am that which is determined relatively free of outcome motivation. An associated interest is in how truth is determined by a human institution. Dr. Farmer touches on both and also gently implies the consequences. Nice column and interesting discussion.

I quote my comment on the column's blog: "We seem to be failing too often in our educational systems to convince our students that they must look outside their heads for truth. Thinking or wishing it so does not make it so."

Dr. Farmer's position is certainly much more sane than the Robert Wright's NYT op ed.  A Grand Bargain Over Evolution.  Wright suggests that the interpretation of the operation of natural law is open to bargaining, a middle ground between fact and wish. His documentation is another of the serial resurrections of the repudiated, if not disgraced, science fiction writer C. S. Lewis.  My father would say "Boushwaw!"

Also in the ABH, Chris Young a returning biochemical engineering student with grace and emotion settles the issue better than any I have seen since my own student years. Explore the academic world with purpose

It has been observed many times that the more unrealistic a belief, a delusion if you will, is the more insistent the believer to convince others. Most ordinary people are satisfied to leave the "convincing" to the factual information.

This is for those who seek immortality;  Rhonda Rich's Remembering my mama - the fantastic historian, It is an elegant dessert of affirmation that nurtures my impulses to keep up this journal and to encourage others to do the same.