The SpaceWriter is this week’s host for a great Carnival of Space, with lots of features on manned space flight, past, present, and future. This topic is clearly on everyone’s minds, with a new President in the White House and the anniversaries of three of NASA’s greatest losses this week. Go and read the sobering tales, the stories of hope, and the plans for the future. Also, there’s a section on astronomy pseudo-science called “Woo Woo ‘Science’.” In addition to spreading knowledge and wonder about the universe, those in astronomy outreach much also battle the misconceptions and bad ideas that take hold in the public’s imagination.
I’m just slowly getting back into a writing groove myself, so I had nothing to contribute this week. Unless you all want to read my 6-page fellowship proposal (doubtful). After next Monday’s Journal Club, I’ll be wanting to revisit the SETI talks from the last URSI meeting! But I’ve actually been working myself hard in the lab, so unfortunately, astronomy is the last thing I want to think about when I chill out late at night, which is usually the time I’m feeling write-y! I’ll get back on a normal schedule one of these days… 
I’m a 7th (and final!) year
3 responses so far ↓
Andrew // January 31, 2009 at 04:43 |
Speaking of misconceptions and bad ideas, I note that one of them is that Science somehow equals or implies athiesm.
Of course, it does nothing of the kind, but a lot of atheists are dishonestly trying to foist that idea on the public.
ccpetersen // January 31, 2009 at 11:23 |
Andrew, there’s nothing in COS about that. Or are you just floating that straw man out there for the heck of it?
I’ve known many scientists and very rarely have I heard any of them say that science equals or implies atheism. And I also know a number of atheists (myself included) who do NOT say that either. So, I’d suggest that you’re wrong on both counts and that you’re somehow fixin’ for an argument. Putting up a straw man like that isn’t the way to go about discussing such a topic.
Nicole // January 31, 2009 at 15:49 |
Good call, CC. That is quite a strawman. Andrew, sorry, but you are in the wrong place if you are looking for an argument on that point. Most of my scientist-friends are in fact Christian, and I understand that an an understanding and love of science does not imply atheism. Although the scientific way of thinking had a role to play in my road to atheism, I’m certainly not trying to foist that idea on the public.
In fact, most scientists (and atheists) want to see science accepted and understood by the public, and couldn’t give a darn what your personal beliefs are.
BTW, CC, did I mention… GREAT carnival!