It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. Arthur Conan Doyle, physician and writer (1859-1930) A century later, this is known as motivated reasoning.
Cryospheric and ecological changes along Canada’s northernmost coast: The Milne Ice Shelf break-up of 2020
SPEAKER: Derek Mueller, Water and Ice Research Lab, Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University BIO: Derek Mueller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and co-director of the Water and Ice Research Laboratory at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. His research examines indicators and impacts of climate change in the cryosphere as […]
Politics – harder than physics
Since I have become involved in energy and proliferation issues, I have learned one new thing: politics—particularly international politics—is much harder than physics. Burton Richter Nobel Laureate, Physics, 1976 (final sentence of book: Beyond Smoke and Mirrors, 2010)
Very small stage
The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner […]
Flotsam and jetsam
Biographical history, as taught in our public schools, is still largely a history of boneheads: ridiculous kings and queens, paranoid political leaders, compulsive voyagers, ignorant generals, the flotsam and jetsam of historical currents. Those who radically altered history, the great creative scientists and mathematicians, are seldom mentioned if at all. Martin Gardner, mathematician and writer (1914-2010) […]