A good post by Massimo Pigliucci: Scott — who is an atheist — has repeatedly said that one cannot claim that science requires atheism because atheism is a philosophical position, not a scientific one. She leverages the standard distinction between philosophical and methodological naturalism: if you are a scientist you have to be a methodological… Continue reading
I’ve got bad news for Christopher HitchensIt’s long been known by booksellers and publishers that the New York Times weekly ‘list’ has never really been a very accurate tally of what indeed is selling in the U.S. I recommend every once in a while taking a look at USA Today’s more accurate listing. It’s not… Continue reading
Hitch: On the question of Turkey’s accession, I used to be able to make either case. Admitting the Turks could lead to the modernization of the country, whereas exclusion could breed resentment and instability and even a renewal of pseudo-Ataturkist military rule. On the other hand, admission would put the frontiers of Europe up against… Continue reading
Brendan O’Neill is ready to stick a spoon down his throat over Susan Boyle. Of course, everyone loves a good show tune. And everyone loves an underdog. But Boylemania has become about so much more than an underdog singing a good show tune. Rather, Ms Boyle has been turned into an SIE (Shared International Experience)… Continue reading
The Drowned GiantBritish writer J.G. Ballard has passed away at age 78. Mostly known for his novels Crash and Empire of the Sun, both made into mediocre Hollywood films, he was to my mind a better short story writer. His collection The Terminal Beach includes two of my favorite short stories, The Drowned Giant and… Continue reading