
Ask culture vs. guess culture
This came to my attention from BdiJ. The following was an easy cut and paste way for me to provide the basic concept (from The Atlantic): Let’s say your husband or wife has a friend who will be coming to your city for two weeks on business. This friend writes to you and your spouse,Continue reading “Ask culture vs. guess culture”

Metrology Part III – The “soft” sciences are harder than the “hard” sciences.
Keywords: measurement, metrology, reductionism, SI units, reality Recap I’ve had various discussions about science where people have made statements like, “That can’t be measured” and “Science can’t tell us anything about that.” Since I have yet to be presented with a well-defined concept that science is not capable of analyzing (vs. necessarily already having analyzed)Continue reading “Metrology Part III – The “soft” sciences are harder than the “hard” sciences.”

An original meter
Keywords: meter, standards, metrology In my post Metrology is not about the weather. Part I – How to weigh a potato, I mentioned that international standards used to be based on physical artifacts. I just came across this short article, The Last Original Standard Metre by Atlas Obscura. The cover picture is of one ofContinue reading “An original meter”

Skeptical Inquirer Publication
Keywords: nonoverlapping magisteria, skepticism, publication, Skeptical Inquirer, Center for Inquiry. CSICON I have an article “Is there a Philosophical Magisterium?” published in the current issue of the Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason, Vol. 45 No. 2 | March/April 2021. My article is listed on the front cover. The Skeptical Inquirer is oneContinue reading “Skeptical Inquirer Publication”

The unhoused and their trash
Keywords: homeless, stress, mental health, housing first A recent letter to the editor of the Eugene Register-Guard asked what I assume is a common question about the unhoused. Why, when they establish camps. do they allow trash to accumulate around them; why do they seem to “choose” to live in their trash? If you liveContinue reading “The unhoused and their trash”

Some insights into mathematicians
Keywords: social awkwardness, handedness, learning modes, conversation, methods of thinking I’m one of the fortunate people that have always had a direction in my life (as well as to have the ability to pursue that direction). When I set off for college, there was absolutely no doubt that I would major in math. By theContinue reading “Some insights into mathematicians”

Metrology Part II – How do I measure thee? Let me count the ways.
Keywords: measure, measurement, ISO, SI, units, derived units, metrology I’ve had various discussions about science where people have made statements like, “That can’t be measured” and “Science can’t tell us anything about that.” Since I have yet to be presented with a well-defined concept that science is not capable of analyzing (vs. necessarily already havingContinue reading “Metrology Part II – How do I measure thee? Let me count the ways.”

Solstice Banner Fundraiser Closeout
I want to thank everyone that donated to the Solstice Banner. I received enough donations to pay for this year’s installation. It is very validating to me that so many people have supported this project. I started displaying the banner because a Jesus banner had been displayed annually. I felt that the secular community shouldContinue reading “Solstice Banner Fundraiser Closeout”

Metrology is not about the weather. Part I – How to weigh a potato
Keywords: philosophy of science, measurement, ISO, NIST, standards, accuracy, precision, philosophical foundations When someone buys a pound of potatoes, how do they know it weighs one pound? A likely answer is that the produce scale said it was. But that assumes the scale is accurate. Is it? And how do we know? The answer toContinue reading “Metrology is not about the weather. Part I – How to weigh a potato”

Systemic racism: A concise history
Keywords: racism, war on drugs, inequity, incarceration A friend pointed me to this 18 minute video by Phil Vischer the creator of Veggie Tales that very concisely overviews the history of how the U.S. got to the current point of social inequity. It starts with the end of slavery then continues through Jim Crow laws,Continue reading “Systemic racism: A concise history”
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