Comments on: On the Road with Michael Shermer (Or, The Chronicles of Skeptica) Part 1

By: jaramilr

jaramilr — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:06:38 +0000

“…power and majesty of its aspiring domes and shear size.”

Barbers of the Gods? Or just a really big flock of sheep?

By: Chaz Mena

Chaz Mena — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:55:25 +0000

Harriet:
The president is not the country, he is its highest executive. It is NOT treasonable to remind ourselves how much of a dweeb he is, how far back he’s taken us, and how arrogant he is in his ignorance.

I, for one, am embarrassed that we re-elected him. I am pissed, frankly, that we need to be reminded of our ever-shrinking civil liberties whenever we are critical of the present administration. That the executive power of the federal govt. worked towards a pluto-theocracy is evident.

By: Harriet Hall

Harriet Hall — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:18:15 +0000

I’m glad Michael didn’t participate in the political comments. Such comments are inappropriate in the context of a scientific meeting.

For those who feel the need to apologize for our president, keep in mind that whatever its faults, our country has some good qualities: in many other countries such an apology would have earned them a jail term or worse when they arrived back home.

By: fatherdaddy

fatherdaddy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:11:05 +0000

Not to be nit-picky here, Abelardo, but free markets create economic dependance. The result of increased trade becomes dependance through specialization. Of course, just about any way to prevent war is a good one.

By: Nanahuatzin

Nanahuatzin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:27:11 +0000

While Mexico is mostly a catholic country, it also has a long history of laicism since 1870 ( and even a war about religion in 1930). Today in México about 80% of catholics aprove anticonceptives, and 55% aprove abortion.
In México a Politician never speaks of god, or he will be recriminated by the press. Our last president (from the conservative party) was heavily critisized because he did that, so our curent president, from the same party, never does that.

That will help you understand the students reaction.

By: Larian LeQuella

Larian LeQuella — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:18:02 +0000

/agree with Chaz!

I too am interested in at least reading a transcript of what Michael Shermer spoke about.

By: Chaz Mena

Chaz Mena — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:45:27 +0000

Guys:
It’s rude to comment on people’s grammar when they’re sharing their day with you…it’s tantamount to correcting a love-letter on spelling or punctuation.

Comn, that’s this is an informal medium. Don’t be pedantic ‘yall. It may close down the blog and I am enjoying thus far.

Thanks, Michael, for sharing your impressions with us.

Really, gang, we’re better than this.

chaz mena

By: decemberjazz

decemberjazz — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:19:12 +0000

Grammar gasp! “…reminding the audience that her and Barash have been faithfully married for over three decades.”

By: Todd Saalman

Todd Saalman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:14:01 +0000

Michael, really, I thought your grammar was better than this: “I was surprised to hear so many students tell Dennett and I how much they agreed with our position.”

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:09:07 +0000

Max,

I know where you got the 30% figure from and I think you’ve fallen victim to confirmation bias. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but as far as I’m aware the prenatal environment makes up the other 70%. The SGU talked about that study on a podcast, but I can’t remember which one. Anyway I’m sure if you found it and had a listen you’d find it very informative.

Oh and moving to paedophilia is a bit of a red herring. Acting on homosexual urges is not child abuse. In regards to paedophilic choice, I can’t see how anyone would choose to be a member of the most hated minority on the planet.