Falling For A Ruse?

Are the New Atheists Bad for Science?
By J. Daniel Sawyer
In an article on Beliefnet this week, Michael Ruse argues that the “new atheists” are a “bloody disaster.” He argues using a mixture of caricatures, complaints, and criticisms, so before I go into why I think the man is full of organic fertilizer on the [...]

Season 3, Episode 4: Ancient Science with Richard Carrier, pt 2

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Part 2 of the Richard Carrier is now live. We continue our conversation about science in the ancient world, discuss the works and missteps of Rodney Stark and his theory of the scientific revolution, read and discuss ancient documents germaine to the topic, and talk about the reasons for the fall of the [...]

No Comments »Filed under: Podcasts, Reprobates, SciencePosted on June 3rd, 2009

Season 3, Episode 3: Ancient Science with Richard Carrier, pt 1

Hey Everyone,
It’s been a long time! Before my life was swallowed by the podcast of my novel Predestination and Other Games of Chance, I recorded quite a bit for Reprobates Hour. So now, to kick off part 2 of Season 3, Richard Carrier returns to talk about science in the ancient world. [...]

2 Comments »Filed under: Podcasts, Reprobates, Science, Unsavory ExcursionsPosted on May 8th, 2009

First Lit/Phil article sold

Well, my friends (and enemies, and trespassers), I’ve just sold my first article that’s NOT about Linux. My essay “As The Gods Themselves…” about science fiction, religion, and the singularity is now online and available for download in PDF and MP3 format at The Journal Sci Phi.
If you enjoy world religions, are [...]

No Comments »Filed under: Career, Publishing, Science, Unsavory Excursions, WritingPosted on April 24th, 2009

TED of the day: The Story of Everything

Today, I bring you physicist Brian Cox discussing the Large Hadron Collider and what it means for our understanding of the universe. Chock full of wonder, delight, and beauty - join me in marveling at the magnificence of the universe, and the fact that we are able to understand it at all.

No Comments »Filed under: Autodidact, Idle Musings, SciencePosted on November 25th, 2008

Singularity Update: Series introduction

Part of my research over the last year has been on nanotech/biotech/AI convergence and how all three of them effect medicine and ethics.  As of now, I’m going to start blogging my thoughts on the topic and links to interesting articles as I come across them.
First article: Time Magazine reports on the neurogenic cause of [...]

No Comments »Filed under: Idle Musings, SciencePosted on November 18th, 2008

Electile Dysfunction: Bungling Science pt. 3

In my post on the Entitlement Mentality I quoted Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who once said “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.”  The last several election cycles in America have made it shockingly clear that Americans no longer know the difference between opinion and facts - or, if they do, [...]

1 Comment »Filed under: Idle Musings, Public Policy, SciencePosted on October 26th, 2008

Electile Dysfunction: Bungling Science pt. 2

Now, let’s go on over to the Republican side of the fence and do some more sacred cow tipping.  I could pick on them for their mirror-image myopia on the same issues of environmental stewardship, but let’s go for something more fun.  Let’s take the classic Republican relationship with tradition and history.

No Comments »Filed under: Idle Musings, Public Policy, SciencePosted on October 26th, 2008

Electile Dysfunction: Bungling Science pt. 1

It’s ironic, really.  America has been the science and technology innovation engine of the world since the days of Thomas Edison, being joined in supremacy by Japan by the last decade of the 20th century.  And yet, despite an amazingly vibrant tech industry (whose growth remains fairly unhindered despite the dot com crash and the [...]

No Comments »Filed under: Idle Musings, Public Policy, SciencePosted on October 26th, 2008

Can’t Get an Election? Try a Candle!

This year’s Beyond Belief conference is up, and it looks like it’s gonna be a doozy.  This year, in honor of another very bitter election season in the midst of a number of medium-sized crises, the cadre of scientists and philosophers have trained their sights on public policy.
For those of you who haven’t stumbled upon [...]

2 Comments »Filed under: Events, Idle Musings, Public Policy, SciencePosted on October 21st, 2008
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  • Inside Information

    J. Daniel Sawyer is a science fiction author seeking to further destabilize the universe by building a cult in his own honor.
    Although not as crazy as Philip K. Dick or as bloody-minded as Robert A. Heinlein, he does share certain delusional qualities with both, including a prominent middle initial and the fantasy that the universe would be a better place if reality conformed to the strange visions protected by his fragile skull.
    Lest the fragility of his skull give you any ideas, be advised that he has a killer fedora hat and isn't afraid to use it. He also saw one too many Bond movies as a child. If you haven't yet been frightened away, click here to learn more.