Archive for December, 2008
Posted in Academic Life, Extended, Feminism, Philosophy
December 28, 2008 at 7:02 pm
The Society for Philosophy and Psychology has a new blog dedicated to increasing diversity in the field(s). I’ve volunteered to serve on the Diversity Committee, with what little experience I have in these things (my dissertation work took me deep into gender studies and disability studies, both fields that my traditional analytic background had entirely ignored, and I spent some time using that research specifically in relation to diversity issues through my association with the Center on Diversity and Community at UOregon.) As someone who worked for so long in analytic philosophy of mind and artificial intelligence (and still does), I feel as if my perspective on these issues is valuable specifically because I was ignorant of them for so long. I think I speak the language of the traditional philosopher of psychology much more fluently than I speak the language of people whose work has long focused on diversity issues, so I hope I can contribute something worthwhile to what I think is a valuable project. (If my dissertation work hadn’t been a wake-up call on its own, learning that I was 1 of 2 female philosophers out of over 200 applying for one university position in the philosophy of mind did the job. It’s hard to believe this is 2008.)
Link to the blog of SPP’s Diversity Committee.
Posted in Artificial Intelligence, Democracy, Extended, Science
December 25, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’ve seen no less than 4 science or geeky websites this week mentioning Newtonmas. This makes me exceedingly happy. When we began celebrating it 5 or 6 years ago, we mostly invented the fun backstories to go along with it. We imagined Newton renting a hybrid car to visit his believers (because, let’s face it, there aren’t many of us, and he’s an eco-friendly kind of guy.) We would leave him a mix CD of good music for his rented hybrid, and an apple or two on Newtonmas Eve. We would decorate our tree entirely in apple ornaments. We would aim for science-themed gifts. It is, by far, the most wonderful holiday we’ve ever invented. The fact that I’ve seen occasional references pop up on the internet for the last few years as other people recognize Newton’s birthday was Dec. 25th only adds to the joy of the holiday, as the possibility of others celebrating it makes me even happier. I’ve been sending out Newtonmas cards for years now, and the fact that even my hyper-religious relatives send me cards now with Christmas crossed out and Newtonmas written in its place means my job is done.
Michael Shermer and PZ Myers have both made reference to Newtonmas in recent posts, and now the NY Times has written an article on the potential for the holiday.
Some years ago, the evolutionist and atheist Richard Dawkins pointed out to me that Sir Isaac Newton, the founder of modern physics and mathematics, and arguably the greatest scientist of all time, was born on Christmas Day, and that therefore Newton’s Birthday could be an alternative, if somewhat nerdy, excuse for a winter holiday.
The Wikipedia entry for the holiday was magnificent, for the brief time it existed back in 2004-ish, but it gets shot down again every time someone tries to resurrect it. (For the record, I have never participated in that discussion – I only watch with interest, as my own Newtonmas photos seem to be their primary record of it as a recognizable holiday.)
Perhaps with the NY Times recognizing it, my humble Newton myth will bring more people some joy. I swear, the first thing I will do once this school year is over is finally update Newtonmas.com with our mythology, so that atheists with children can have a fun story to tell them and pass on something clever and celebratory without having to navigate the battle between secular and religious Christmas.
Note: The author of the NY Times article is Olivia Judson, author of the magnificent “Dr. Tatiana’s Sex Advice to All Creation: The Definitive Guide to the Evolutionary Biology of Sex.” (Which, by the way, would make a lovely Newtonmas gift. I already own it though, so you can just send me money.)
Posted in Blurb, Crafting
December 25, 2008 at 9:57 am
AS SOON as she saw her first images of the brain, Marjorie Taylor was spellbound. The vibrant pinks and blues, the intricate detailing – somehow they spoke to her. “I couldn’t help but look at them with the eye of a quilter,” says Taylor, a psychologist at the University of Oregon. “I thought the folds of the cerebral cortex would be great in velvet.” And so was born a new genre of visual art: scientifically accurate fabric brains. Link to article in New Scientist.
Posted in Atheism, Democracy, Extended
December 21, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Although I wouldn’t give up Newtonmas for anything, I have had a number of discussions with Joshua over the years about the possibility of secular Christmas (and Christmas trees). I had no interest in a Christmas tree for many many years, but when the desire returned for one, we solved the problem by inventing Newtonmas. I don’t believe I could’ve won this battle with Joshua, as he (and most of the other historically Jewish folk I know, even those who count themselves among the atheist masses now) insists that Christmas and everything that goes with it is, at heart, a Christian holiday. He (rightly) points out that the only secular folk who make arguments for secular Christmas are those with either Christian or non-theistic backgrounds. (I think the argument here can be just as easily made that it isn’t people with Christian backgrounds who believe Christmas can be secular, but that it is people with Jewish backgrounds who believe Christmas cannot be secular. I think this is an important distinction, but not one I’m sure can be sorted well enough to solve the problem.)
Anyway, the number of atheists and non-Christians I know who celebrate Christmas is outrageously large, which used to make me a bit sad – it seemed that the Christians who imposed Christmas on America as an important religious holiday had won. However, I’ve changed my mind. I’m now quite pleased with the number of non-Christians that celebrate Christmas, as the holiday has been reclaimed and thoroughly secularized, as far as I’m concerned. The fact that the day has nothing to do with Jesus, that it was stolen from the Pagans, and that, in fact, axial tilt is “the reason for the season,” all seem to be fairly commonly-known facts now. (Don’t get me wrong, though – I still don’t celebrate the holiday and I still don’t actually like being wished a Merry Christmas, since the assumption that we all celebrate it seems to be a largely religious one. The secular Christmas folk are happy to say “Happy Holidays.”)
All that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this piece in the Independent UK by Neil Gaiman on his childhood demand for a Christmas tree from his Jewish parents.
My grandparents were properly observant Jews. My parents were not particularly observant Jews, while we children were, quite simply, bad Jews. We knew we were bad Jews because we wanted a Christmas tree.
Quite enjoyable piece, by one of my favorite living authors.
Link to article.
Posted in Books, Media
December 21, 2008 at 7:17 am
“Time,” said Kerry Westerfield, “is curved. Eventually, it gets back to the same place where it started. That’s duplication.” He put his feet up on a conveniently outjutting rock of the chimney and stretched luxuriously. From the kitchen Martha made clinking noises with bottles and glasses.
“Yesterday at this time I had a Martini,” Kerry said. “The time curve indicates that I should have another one now. Are you listening, angel?”
“I’m pouring,” said the angel distantly.
“You get my point, then. Here’s another. Time describes a spiral instead of a circle. If you call the first cycle ‘a’, the second one’s ‘a plus 1′–see? Which means a double Martini tonight.” … Henry Kuttner at Amazon.com
Posted in Books, Comics, Media
December 21, 2008 at 7:09 am
“But most importantly, the biggest pile of amps and speakers they could afford in one corner. And a DJ who played records that came out last week rather than last decade in the other. Indie as inclusive exhibitionism. Triumphalism rather than introversion. Charms rather than wards. Realising that selling out was actually the one thing left to do with ‘independent guitar music.’ So let’s piss away everything our predecessors strove for. Sell out. Just make sure the price is high enough to buy a pair of fancy new shoes.” Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie at Amazon.com
Posted in Atheism, Democracy, Extended
December 18, 2008 at 4:10 pm
If God can be some people’s co-pilot, I don’t see why the Flying Spaghetti Monster can’t be Minnesota’s Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor. Seems like he isn’t asking for much, really.
Minnesotans will need him on their side when the Lizard People take power.
Posted in Atheism, Democracy, Extended, ethics
December 17, 2008 at 7:58 pm
In addition to the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s atheist sign that was stolen (and recovered in a ditch) in Washington state 2 weeks ago, the same sign has been vandalized in Madison, WI, and now stolen from the capital rotunda in Springfield, IL.
Although the group received threats after the sign was placed in Washington, Gaylor said none have been traced to the Illinois sign. However, conservative TV talk show host Bill O’Reilly criticized the Springfield sign during his Monday show.
“That might be what set someone off,” Garlor said.
How can I even comment on this? (Again?) It’s ridiculous and infuriating and the hypocrisy makes my head explode.
Posted in Blurb, Evolution, Philosophy, Science
December 17, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Dr. Paul Grabb, a pediatric brain surgeon, said he was surprised when he discovered a small foot growing inside the brain of 3-day-old Sam Esquibel. “The foot literally popped out of the brain,” Grabb told TheDenverChannel Wednesday. Wonderful article on biological mutation / teratology at The Denver Channel.
Posted in Blurb, Evolution, Science
December 16, 2008 at 11:35 am
A rat believed to be extinct for 11 million years, a spider with a foot-long legspan, and a hot pink cyanide-producing “dragon millipede” are among the thousand newly discovered species in the largely unexplored Mekong Delta region. Link to article at CNN.com