. . . Based on Work Utterly Stolen from Pathetic Slobs*
As I ponder weak and weary upon my Celtics lore--compare Kobe to Jordan nevermore!--it came upon me that one of the problems with discussing subjects like science is the lack of knowledge. How does one correct that? Writing for My Humble Yet MagNIfIcent Self [Tm.--Ed.], it took a very long time to amass familiarity with biblical scholarship. Someone asks me about Creation Myths in Genesis, I remind them that no one has
provedPeter Gabriel was addicted to mushrooms during
Foxtrot and then bury them in an essay I have compiled with references and theophorics.
"Great," thinks Inquiring Poster, "how the hell am I to respond to all of this?"
Confronted with this problem, I created a running
List [Tm.--Ed.] of basic resources that vary from beginner to expert.
So take Global Warming [An
Al Gore Production--Ed.] . . . when asked about it, I reply "I don't like smog!" I do not know environmental science. If I want to know about it . . . where do I go? How do I avoid propaganda on either side of an issue?
We ["We?"--Ed.] frequently get confronted by people who make very erroneous statements regarding evolution, physics, and the infield-fly rule. I think part of that comes from a lack of familiarity with the subject. People have finite time, resources, interests. Someone comes a long and tells them that "evolution is only a theory," how do they critically evaluate that
if they never had the opportunity to study evolution?
How does one correct that deficiency?
Simple!
One comes to
moi . . . and I get
members* to provide the resources while I take all of the credit!
So, I propose a number of subjects such as "Cosmology," "Environmental Sciences," "Evolution,"
et cetera. I would then like posters "who are skilled in this work" to suggests resources in the following categories:
- 1. Basic Introduction--for those who have never studied the subject.
2. Intermediate--you have the basics, here are some details.
3. Experienced--this reference explains a particular area
To give an example, I would consider Martin Gardiner's various works "Basic" for physics. Greene is "Basic" to "Intermediate" depending on the subject.
This does not have to limited to books. A few posters HERE have compiled "Mega Posts" on subjects--those may be linked. Perhaps there are webpages with good summaries--
Bad Astronomy is an obvious one.
Now when confronted by a poster who does not know a subject, ye can kindly refer him to HERE. Do not really understand the evidence for an expanding universe? Come HERE and find the tools for enlightenment. The next post will contain the list under headings as suggestions come in.
Okay . . . I may even credit the poster who does the actual work . . . but you have to beg.
--J.D.
* "That's
you, fathead!"