1. The Only One in Step

Comment #14531 by canicula on December 23, 2006 at 3:12 am

This fondness that the creationist have for wheeling out so-called scientists who claim that evolution is wrong/unscientific, and compiling name-lists of sympathisers "look, over a hundred scientists in the US think evolution is wrong" reminds me of something I read about Einstein.

In 1930s Germany a book was published entitled "100 Authors Against Einstein". The great man's response: "Why 100? If I was wrong, one would be enough."

2. The Komodo Dragon's Tale

Comment #14529 by canicula on December 23, 2006 at 2:53 am

Pythagoras' mother was supposed to be a virgin. He also reputedly died and came back to life, although his followers record that he actually hid in a cave for three days.

3. Top court refuses to hear whether religion can be a murder defence

Comment #12638 by canicula on December 13, 2006 at 2:48 am

I loathe the insidious phrase "honour killing" they should call it "premeditated murder". That's what it is. The whole concept is unavoidably anti-women.

4. An Exercise in Contempt

Comment #12614 by canicula on December 12, 2006 at 11:47 pm

"I do not think...that I have even yet brought out the greatest contribution of medievalism to the formation of the scientific movement. I mean the inexpugnable belief that every detailed occurrence can be correlated with its antecedents in a perfectly definite manner, exemplifying general principles. Without this belief the incredible labours of scientists would be without hope.... My explanation is that the faith in the possibility of science, generated antecedently to the development of modern scientific theory, is an unconscious derivation from medieval theology."

I'm sorry, is that a sentence? I'm as guilty as any writer of liking long words, but this is just silly and obfuscating.