Make My Gas Golf Cart Faster

The "martyrs" of Science.

C on the release of Agora, Alejandro Amenábar's film based on the life and death of Hypatia, the Alexandrian astronomer fourth century we have already discussed in a previous post, some forums have circulated for some criticism of the view that the English director (or English-Chilean prefer) that the scientist's death occurs in the film. Amenábar in various interviews he has given to present his film speaks of Hypatia was the victim of bigotry (which is true in the highest degree because only the fans are capable of resorting to violence and murder to defend their ideas or dispel the others) and it seems that somehow has offended some sectors because the murderers of the sap of Alexandria were hordes of Christians allegedly instigated by Cyril, the bishop of the city. Whether the bishop were directly responsible for the crime or, as it seems that some authors argue, Hypatia was killed in crossfire of a political struggle between the Roman Empire and the nascent power of the Church no doubt that this admirable woman died their thinking than rational, to do and teach philosophy and science, regardless of ideology or religion they profess their murderers (ah, and the mere fact of being a woman also played a lot against him.) In that sense I align myself with the position of Amenábar, who claims not to attack Christianity, but to the bigots, are the sign they are, in this sense, the story picks up not only the fate of Hypatia but many more victims of a thought does not conform to political or religious charges tax in place and the times in which they lived.

Making a very quick count, I remember Anaxagoras, who in the V century BC (BC) was charged with wicked in Athens say that the sun was a fiery boulder, not a god, and the moon reflected merely the light of these statements led to his exile and had ended up in jail if not saved by Pericles, his student.

back in time and space, travel the twelfth century Muslim Spain with Maimonides , Jewish physician and philosopher from Cordoba who suffered exile, first in Al Andalus and then through northern Africa because of religious intolerance Almohad Empire. Maimonides, one of the greatest philosophers in history tried to reconcile faith and reason that it drew criticism from both Muslims and thinkers of their own fellow Jews.

In 1600 was burnt down Roman Inquisition astronomer and philosopher Giordano Bruno accused of heresy. Among his claims "heretical" was his cosideration of an infinite universe and the existence of many more than our own solar system. His trial was instructed by the same cardinal sixteen years later would lead one to the astronomer Galileo Galilei for defending the Copernican heliocentric system stating that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun and attack Aristotle's geocentric system, according the Bible. Galileo would end his days under house arrest after retracting his ideas (or at least defending them.)

To complete this brief delay will travel back to twentieth century, namely the Soviet Union where he lived and botanical geneticist Nikolai Vavilov . Vavilov was sentenced in 1940 to prison, where he died three years later, to defend the principles of modern genetics in Soviet scientific circles of the time, dominated by his bitter enemy Trofim Lysenko who strongly supported the Stalinist regime defended between 30 and 60 years of evolutionary theory by stating that Lamarckism could modify plants environmentally modeándolas regardless of genetics. He declared war on genetics as "bourgeois science" that led to the elimination of all defenders of modern biological ideas. As we have seen attacks on science and scientists are not isolated events, affecting all ages and faiths and different policy options. Despite all scientific progress has not stopped and continues to fight many enemies, declared or not, even today.

Bad Cough Spits Blood

against the wiles, Science! (I)

Today I was amazed when a space monograph of the evening news about the votes that decide to host the 2016 Olympic games have appeared on screen a few visionaries making predictions about the possibility of Madrid has to be Olympic host. To see this in a serious news program, a national chain would be mixed with obviously serious and truthful news about the subject matter has made me consider two things: first that the news are not what they were in pursuit of winning audience and Second, I consider more serious, if this news deserve appear on prime time television is because there is a demand relating to these temas.Mi perplexity increased when the prestigious English news agency EFE echoes even today in some so here I show some fragments as illustration:

Madrid, Oct 1 (EFE) .- The druid (I guess) and writer Manuel said Aneiros Madrid today is "70-something percent" chance of becoming Olympic host in 2016, but just in case, has cast a spell and has made a fetish based laurel, wild and rude male fern, specifically selected in Galicia (...).

Accompanied by a bagpiper, a tambourine and a group of dancers, Celtic music band members "Turdión" topped the druid spell with a dance around a campfire and a ritual cleansing, in which involving several people.

As for the male fern, Aneiros said that "the spores become elves protect you the enemy and the rough is the best thing against envy. There is a bunch with this, it takes very hidden away negativity and open the path to wellness ".(...).

The agency Europa Press, also says adding the fact that

However, it seems that the news does not reach the Galician forests, place of origin of the druid, because to questions from reporters about whether he had already sent amulet the mayor of Madrid, the magician asked who was Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon. Once reported said I had not sent because they had not asked.
The ritual in support of Madrid's bid is part of the XXV International Occult Forum, opened today at the Príncipe Pío.

on the comments, in the XXI century agencies speak of Druids, spells, goblins ... and if talking about them is because a layer of the population is interested in them (and if you do not rub through tarot channels of television).

Anyway these frikadas (allow me the term) do not have to worry as much as other appearances in the media of activities that a patina of seriousness and even alleged scientific guarantees interest to sectors of society that they even have a university education.

Paradoxically, at least in the West, we live in a world increasingly desecularizado after a long process that began in the Age of Enlightenment and the further proliferation movements and beliefs based on reason or scientific method. Modern men and women, with great training, away from religious beliefs or practices given to movements that have nothing to do with reason, have changed the confessional by Bach flowers consulting a reputed tarotista. Addition these beliefs have found a great partner for internet distribution.

What to do about this?. The solution is simple: reasoning, common sense, and this is the basis of science.

With this post I want to preface a series from time to time be responsible for clarifying the deceptions and dark spots of many of these activities.