Comments on: Your chance to probe David Grinspoon!

By: tim

tim — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:57:04 +0000

I was lucky enough to take David’s class on Extraterrestrial Life while he was teaching at CU-Boulder. He is an awesome (or should I say “funky”?) dude.

Last I talked to him, he was trying to decide whether to write a children’s science book or a book about extraterrestrial spirituality (for lack of a better term) tentatively called “the Cosmist Manifesto.” Still waiting for one of those to come out.

By: Bill Nettles

Bill Nettles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:57:55 +0000

Oops!….”their passionate” should be “they’re passionate”

By: Bill Nettles

Bill Nettles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:57:07 +0000

I enjoyed Lonely Planets for the most part. It’s gets wordy at times, but what science writer doesn’t if their passionate about their topic. Regarding SETI, he gives a balanced treatment of the pros and cons of doing it, and I think (but I really couldn’t tell) he came down on the side of “we might as well do it because I need a job and I like this stuff.”

He’s an entertaining writer for sure, and not given to as much hyperbole as Bill Bryson. I’d love to hear him speak, but TN is too far for a quick trip unless someone wants to pick me up in their Tardis. I wouldn’t might a Stargate, either.

By: My-Name-is-Kenneth

My-Name-is-Kenneth — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:52:15 +0000

Um, I’m sure David’s a very nice guy, but I don’t want to get to know him quite that well.

Not that there is anything wrong with probing in general!

By: ccpetersen

ccpetersen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:05:51 +0000

I used to live in Denver… there were a few folks I thought might have been aliens from other planets who lived there, too. Ask me sometime about Sex-Ray Bob.

By: Steeev

Steeev — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:26:10 +0000

Perhaps he means talking, in Denver, about aliens. Not as smooth, but more precise.

By: Nigel Depledge

Nigel Depledge — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:38:40 +0000

The BA said:

He’ll also be talking about aliens in Denver …

There are aliens in Denver???

Figures, I guess.

By: Mark T.

Mark T. — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:53:11 +0000

Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission? And they say we do weird things in California. Wow.

http://www.extracampaign.org/

As usual I have a hard time thinking that these people are serious. And then I talk to some of my relatives and I remember what we’re dealing with. Oh well.

By: Metro State Atheists

Metro State Atheists — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:45:28 +0000

Thanks for the plug!

By: ccpetersen

ccpetersen — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:55:31 +0000

I used to work with David when I was at LASP many moons ago. I remember when he came and interviewed for his job… he sure shook up the stuffy ones in our department!

By: Jewel

Jewel — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:57:05 +0000

I hope you’re able to go BA! If you do make it, be sure to tell us all about it.

By: changcho

changcho — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:45:54 +0000

Very nice. I’ve read both of Grinspoons’ books and liked them. ‘Venus Revealed’ is a great book about that planet; I wish he’d update it (I think it’s 10 years old) with the recent results from Venus Express. ‘Lonely Planets’ is, how shall I say it, much more speculative, but it certainly is though-provoking. And, I’ve heard his talk when receiving the Sagan medal award; he’s a very good speaker.

By: Sili

Sili — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:42:48 +0000

I once made the mistake of telling a girl I needed to probe her after a talk she gave.

I didn’t get slapped. I never got those experimentals for her ligand either, though.

By: zeb

zeb — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:31:13 +0000

Aw, man I wish I could go. Have you read his new(er) book “Lonely Planets”?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:13:14 +0000

Thank you for your kind offer Phil but I don’t do that sort of thing.