What is your dangerous idea?

Edge.org has their annual question online, this year it is "What is your dangerous idea?". Answered by a bunch of luminaries they are well worth browsing through.

filed in: Culture, Politics, Science - via Scott Rosenberg - 12 Jan 2006 13:56 - #

Richard Dawkins on Creationism etc.

There is a short interview with Richard Dawkins over on beliefnet where of course he talks about evolution, creationism, god and atheism. I thought this part was particularly telling:

...I feel elated. My book, "Unweaving the Rainbow," is an attempt to elevate science to the level of poetry and to show how one can be—in a funny sort of way—rather spiritual about science. Not in a supernatural sense, but there are uplifting mysteries to be solved. The contemplation of the size and scale of the universe, of the depth of geological time, of the complexity of life--these all, to me, have an inspirational quality. ...

This touches a nerve with me. I often get annoyed by people that think that one can not marvel at nature if one tries to understand it. In my opinion understanding almost always ends up enhancing the beauty of what one observes.

filed in: Culture, Politics, Science - via Kottke - 15 Dec 2005 23:02 - #

13 things that don't make sense

The new scientist has a list of thirteen scientific question that don't quite make sense. Lists like this should be plastered on the wall of every high school science classroom. Kids don't get the feeling that there are unresolved issues in science because all the time in class is spent teaching them what we already know. Showing them what remains to be understood is the best way to awaken their curiosity and possibly push them towards a carer in science.

filed in: Politics, Science - via /. - 18 Mar 2005 20:48 - #

What do you believe in?

Edge.org has published their annual question; "What do you believe is true even though you cannot prove it?" as usual it’s full thought provoking stuff from all all kinds of luminaries.

Is there a fourth law of thermodynamics, or some cousin of it, concerning self constructing non equilibrium systems such as biospheres anywhere in the cosmos?
I like to think there may be such a law. ...
Stewart Kauffman

I believe in belief—or rather: I have faith in having faith. Yet, I am an atheist (or a "bright" as some would have it). How can that be?
It is important to have faith, but not necessarily in God. Faith is important far outside the realm of religion: having faith in other people, in oneself, in the world, in the existence of truth, justice and beauty. There is a continuum of faith, from the basic everyday trust in others to the grand devotion to divine entities.
...
Tor Nørretranders

Many more at edge.org

filed in: Culture, Politics, Science - via NY Times - 04 Jan 2005 14:01 - #