…a great way to stay on top of the dynamic field of Opticianry and make some friends in the process.
…a great way to stay on top of the dynamic field of Opticianry and make some friends in the process.
Professor Paul Mirecki, a religious studies professor, was beaten for defending science. Kansas is not known for high scores in science and have virtually declared war on evolution. Paul Mirecki’s sin was criticizing Intelligent Design (ID) and the fundamentalist populace who embraces these types of beliefs. Note, that this happened on the college level. Normally the war on evolution was waged in public schools where the infamous Kansas school board redefined science standards. The fact that this mentality is spreading to different spheres of academia is what troubles me. Prof. Mirecki has resigned his post because of the incident. I’m very saddened by his resignation because it may send a signal that scientists and supporters of science can be intimidated. To his credit, he is in Kansas and is virtually fighting the wave of fundamentalism on his own. Calling it quits is understandable.
The attack on evolution is just phase one of the backlash against science, and it is only going to hurt ourselves in the long run as a country. I think one of my favorite authors said it best.
We’ve arranged a global civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology. We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces.
I worry that, especially as the Millennium edges nearer, pseudo-science and superstition will seem year by year more tempting, the siren song of unreason more sonorous and attractive. Where have we heard it before? Whenever our ethnic or national prejudices are aroused, in times of scarcity, during challenges to national self-esteem or nerve, when we agonize about our diminished cosmic place and purpose, or when fanaticism is bubbling up around us — then, habits of thought familiar from ages past reach for the controls.
The candle flame gutters. Its little pool of light trembles. Darkness gathers. The demons begin to stir.-Carl Sagan
That was from “A Demon Haunted World: Science as a candle in the dark.” He wrote that in 1995 and I find those words eerily pertinent.
Feel free to comment on this in the forums. I’ve already started a thread on this very topic with some more details.
Optician n. One who is extensively trained in the interpreting of ophthalmic prescriptions and applies that knowledge to obtain the optimum visual and safety performance for the patient in a pair of spectacles or contact lenses.
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Friend n. 1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. 2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance. 3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade. 4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement.
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