During a busy week, this is a quick post to capture various quotes and links I’ve found in the past few days. Resources.
Quote: Charles Bukowski: “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”
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Quote: H.G. Wells: Civilization is in a race between education and catastrophe.
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Again, the key word should not be ‘believe’, but ‘accept’. Or ‘understand’. I have another quote about the latter. Quote from this:
After all, it’s not really religion that holds the GOP base together, it’s a sense of victimization. And this thesis weaves a number of important strands into a colorful if ahistorical tapestry.
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On the definition of ‘skeptic’; there’s a recent pushback among science-folks about the use of this word by those they would describe as science *deniers*. ‘Skeptic’ has a specific meaning, that is very much within the tradition of real science.
Ross Pomeroy at RealClearScience:
A true skeptic never dismisses an idea out of hand. A true skeptic is willing to be wrong, and recognizes an echelon of evidence that will change their mindset. And most importantly, a true skeptic doesn’t only question the beliefs of others, he also questions his own. Because skepticism isn’t just about doubting things you disagree with, it’s about keeping yourself honest, open, thoughtful, and true.
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Much in the news in the past couple days is about the Oklahoma legislature voting to ban AP courses in history… because the real history of the US involves so many episodes that question our country’s presumed exceptionalism. Narrative is so much more important than reality! Think Progress.
