World great scientists change there mind

[concerned]

www.edge.org/documents/press/publico.html

From particle physics to evolutionary theory, to the atomic bomb, to global warming, to the battle of the sexes, to the equality of human beings, to God and the paranormal, and to the dogmatism of scientists themselves, dozens of the big thinkers in the world explained online, at the start of 2008, what the most important things that they’ve change their minds about during their lives are.

The project takes place on the website www.edge.org, a kind of informal think tank, a forum for ideas and scientific debates (see adjoining article), which asks such questions annually online and later publishes the result in book form.

[frankcor]

I found that to be a fascinating read. It is worthy to note that many changes appear to be from more traditional notions towards more conservative (all men are not created equal).

Particularly surprising was Helena Cronin from London School of Economics who suggests that men are smarter than women (and stupider, too). Doesn't she realize that Lawrence Summers was forced to resign as president of Harvard simply for suggesting that science perform studies to see if there were a difference at all?

And I must dismiss the notion of Richard Wrangham from Harvard without hesitation just because Harvard sucks.

[dgriffin]

Lots of good stuff on The Edge. Check out:
www.edge.org/3rd_culture/angier_wilson07/angier_wilson07.html
GOD VS. SCIENCE:
A Debate Between Natalie Angier and David Sloan Wilson.
David, who promotes Group selection (against the tide of other evolutionists), wrote "Darwin's Cathedral" a few years ago. It has the interesting premise that Darwinism applies to any activity and he applies it to religion, using Calvinism in Geneva in the 16 century. (David Sloan Wilson is a well-known biologist and the son of Sloan Wilson, author of "The Man in the Grey Flannel Suite." I went to hear David speak across the river at Marist College shortly after his book was published. He is an excellent speaker, for a scientist, and if you get the chance go and see him.)

[rrogers40]

Some of this stuff you need to be careful about- just because they say it does not mean that its true. And course there is 2 (or more) sides to everything.

Take the whole "race" thing- "race" does not exist. Its what we anthropologists call a cultural construction. 150 years ago many people questioned whether the Irish were white- and many said they weren't.

Thats not to say that there are not differences among us all- just take a walk down the street and its obvious. However, those physical differences do not translate into any other differences and are not derived just because of race. There are White people who have African American traits and vice versa.

And most of these differences do not come about because of race but because of natural selection. Say you have 2 separate islands- the population on each of them will be distinctively different until they interbreed and all those separate traits will disappear.

Like I said though there are 2 sides to everything. And looking at the same data you can come up with multiple explanations and theories- some better than others. And quite frankly its all in the definitions. The population on those 2 separate islands are NOT considered to be 2 separate races- but are considered to be of separate ethnicity. Whats the difference?- Well it depends on the definition.

[dgriffin]

>>>> 150 years ago many people questioned whether the Irish were white- and many said they weren't. <<<<

What you mean, bro? Me M**er F**king brother Mike be after you fer dat!

[frankcor]

Some of my best friends are Irish.