Comments on: Angela Gunn gets it

By: Astrolink [Global Edition] » Update: Shannon Malloy | Latest astronomy news in 11 languages

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:33:16 +0000

[...] took some time to think through the situation, and decided to apologize, post a followup (which got a modicum of attention), and then, in an effort to turn a negative into a positive, set up a donation button on the blog [...]

By: Ken G

Ken G — Sat, 26 May 2007 03:19:58 +0000

You are of course entitled to your opinion, but I think what you may be missing is the extent to which those two are coupled. I strongly suspect that his enthusiasm for astronomy comes from the same place as his umbrage at false science– a profound understanding of the beauty of science. So asking him to post about astronomical beauty and the marvellous ways that science makes sense of it all, but then ignore the bad science that attempts to essentially dis-educate all that he is trying to describe, would be asking him to be a different person.

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:49:10 +0000

I have to agree with Foggy. When the BA talks about astronomy, he is great. He presents information in an informed and interesting manner, and is delight to read (an watch when he does his videos). His enthusiasm for atronomy is infectious. But when he goes off into his discussions of “politics, faith based philosophical systems and general woo-wooisms”, he comes across as just another ill-tempered ranter. This is, of course, his blog, and he can do whatever he wants on it, but it is sad to see him get off of what he does so well and onto what he does, quite frankly, poorly.

By: Gary Ansorge

Gary Ansorge — Thu, 24 May 2007 14:15:58 +0000

Foggy:
Astronomy may be about things that exist in a vacuum, but the science does not.
It exists in a social context which is constantly challenging that sciences right to exist. Ergo, it is right and proper to include discussions about societal context, which brings us right back to politics, faith based philosophical systems and general woo-wooisms. Just because something is true, doesn’t mean it’s generally acceptable.

GAry 7

By: Foggy

Foggy — Thu, 24 May 2007 12:45:40 +0000

You know, I think I preferred it when the BA just wrote about astronomy.

By: Larzluv

Larzluv — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:07:03 +0000

A funny (relevant? note:

After posting above, when the page reloaded, there was an advert for a singles site (”Chemistry”… yeah, “.com”… why use it for “science” when you can peddle [the hope of] sex? that had the tag:

“What does the *length of your fingers* say about your personality?” (Emphasis in original.)

Is that irony…?

Oh, then it continued: “Learn how your answer can help you find a *chemistry-inspired relationship.*” (Again, original emphasis.)

I don’t care to check it out, but… maybe it’s a singles site for the pocket-protector types…?

(Has my dream finally come true??
-L

By: Larzluv

Larzluv — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:02:31 +0000

Anyone see Shannon’s story referenced the other night on Colbert…?

It’s getting around! (Well, a bit at least…)