Comments on: In bed with Templeton http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:14:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Twinkies Bankrupt! Pscyh! - Not Any More. It’s a Make-Your-Own-Joke-a-Pallooza | Baby Boomer Going Like Sixty http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-51734 Twinkies Bankrupt! Pscyh! - Not Any More. It’s a Make-Your-Own-Joke-a-Pallooza | Baby Boomer Going Like Sixty Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:43:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-51734 [...] minds and change in our future, and the Twinkie Defense is popular again (Sean Penn stars in the movie about Harvey Milk whose murderer got a lighter sentence because of junk food (insert homophobic joke) the Twinkie Masters feel [...] [...] minds and change in our future, and the Twinkie Defense is popular again (Sean Penn stars in the movie about Harvey Milk whose murderer got a lighter sentence because of junk food (insert homophobic joke) the Twinkie Masters feel [...]

]]> By: Gordon McCabe http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50774 Gordon McCabe Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:29:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50774 I've already proven the non-existence of God right here: http://mccabism.blogspot.com/2008/11/proof-of-non-existence-of-god.html I’ve already proven the non-existence of God right here:

http://mccabism.blogspot.com/2008/11/proof-of-non-existence-of-god.html

]]> By: Reginald Selkirk http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50592 Reginald Selkirk Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:55:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50592 This is an example of why inheritance tax is a good idea. This is an example of why inheritance tax is a good idea.

]]> By: Elliot http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50476 Elliot Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:10:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50476 Oh c'mon. Let's get creative. Think outside the multiverse.... e Oh c’mon. Let’s get creative. Think outside the multiverse….

e

]]> By: Lawrence Crowell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50458 Lawrence Crowell Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:45:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50458 God is a sort of cosmological Maxwell demon. Szilard demonstrated that the Maxwell demon which violated the 2nd law of thermodynamics could be removed by information theory. Quantum gravity and cosmology might in the future demonstrate with quantum information that there is no need for an extraphysical agent in the universe or to kick start the universe. We have a ways to go I think. This of course is not a proof for God's nonexistence. Such strikes me as impossible. However, it would demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the God conjecture in understanding the universe. Lawrence B. Crowell God is a sort of cosmological Maxwell demon. Szilard demonstrated that the Maxwell demon which violated the 2nd law of thermodynamics could be removed by information theory. Quantum gravity and cosmology might in the future demonstrate with quantum information that there is no need for an extraphysical agent in the universe or to kick start the universe. We have a ways to go I think.

This of course is not a proof for God’s nonexistence. Such strikes me as impossible. However, it would demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the God conjecture in understanding the universe.

Lawrence B. Crowell

]]> By: 12Quarts http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50456 12Quarts Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:22:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50456 Elliot, Sean still needs someone to provide an adequate definition of the monotheistic deity before he can work on a "rigorous scientific 'disproof' of the existence of God". Even then, shape-shifting has long been a resource of first resort for theology (especially in America). Elliot, Sean still needs someone to provide an adequate definition of the monotheistic deity before he can work on a “rigorous scientific ‘disproof’ of the existence of God”. Even then, shape-shifting has long been a resource of first resort for theology (especially in America).

]]> By: Elliot Tarabour http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50445 Elliot Tarabour Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:36:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50445 Sean, Could you win a Templeton prize for a rigorous scientific "disproof" of the existence of God? If so....get to work.... e. Sean,

Could you win a Templeton prize for a rigorous scientific “disproof” of the existence of God?

If so….get to work….

e.

]]> By: Norman Gray http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50441 Norman Gray Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:03:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50441 According to the wikipedia article on the Twinkie defence, the 'diminished capacity' defence was abolished in California in 1982 by, yes, Proposition 8. Cosmic.... http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Twinkie_defense&oldid=255153744 According to the wikipedia article on the Twinkie defence, the ‘diminished
capacity’ defence was abolished in California in 1982 by, yes, Proposition 8.

Cosmic….

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Twinkie_defense&oldid=255153744

]]> By: Blake Stacey http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50440 Blake Stacey Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:46:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50440 I can appreciate that the checks for hate were made out of a personal account and not drawn from Foundation funds. . . but <i>damn.</i> If I <i>did</i> have an opportunity to get money from the Templeton Foundation, I'd turn it down, because I would not want any scientific work of mine to aid, even indirectly, in augmenting the good reputation of a person who is so enthusiastic about setting back the cause of civil rights. (I don't work on subjects which would make this a real possibility, so this is just a statement of my idiosyncratic principles. As a <i>Calvin and Hobbes</i> strip of sainted memory once said, "I don't <i>need</i> to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway.") I will feel <i>far</i> more comfortable when the FQXi has those other, additional sources of funding which they've said they were seeking. I can appreciate that the checks for hate were made out of a personal account and not drawn from Foundation funds. . . but damn. If I did have an opportunity to get money from the Templeton Foundation, I’d turn it down, because I would not want any scientific work of mine to aid, even indirectly, in augmenting the good reputation of a person who is so enthusiastic about setting back the cause of civil rights.

(I don’t work on subjects which would make this a real possibility, so this is just a statement of my idiosyncratic principles. As a Calvin and Hobbes strip of sainted memory once said, “I don’t need to compromise my principles, because they don’t have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway.”)

I will feel far more comfortable when the FQXi has those other, additional sources of funding which they’ve said they were seeking.

]]> By: daniel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50439 daniel Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:45:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50439 Eric, yes, we have lost the comment preview button. It should be returning soon. And yes, separation of church and state is most certainly not a given. Jake, Dan White was a cop as well as a fireman. From the Wikipedia article on Milk, this particularly caught my eye: "After White turned himself in and confessed, he sat in his cell while his former colleagues on the police force told Harvey Milk jokes; police openly wore "Free Dan White" T-shirts in the days after the murder." Gary, Thank you for the clarification. What you say is evident in the Templeton Foundation's generous support of FQXi. We all hope it remains this way. Eric, yes, we have lost the comment preview button. It should be returning soon. And yes, separation of church and state is most certainly not a given.

Jake, Dan White was a cop as well as a fireman. From the Wikipedia article on Milk, this particularly caught my eye: “After White turned himself in and confessed, he sat in his cell while his former colleagues on the police force told Harvey Milk jokes; police openly wore “Free Dan White” T-shirts in the days after the murder.”

Gary, Thank you for the clarification. What you say is evident in the Templeton Foundation’s generous support of FQXi. We all hope it remains this way.

]]> By: In bed with Templeton | The Row Boat by Nathan Schneider http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50437 In bed with Templeton | The Row Boat by Nathan Schneider Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:58:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50437 [...] Obviously the fellow has a right to his own opinion, but it can be frustrating when a field of inquiry is so dominated, funding-wise, by a point of view that likes to impose itself so baldly on the choices of others. [go!] [...] [...] Obviously the fellow has a right to his own opinion, but it can be frustrating when a field of inquiry is so dominated, funding-wise, by a point of view that likes to impose itself so baldly on the choices of others. [go!] [...]

]]> By: Gary Rosen http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50431 Gary Rosen Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:12:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50431 Just to clarify an issue raised in the post and the comments: The contributions of Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr. and his wife in support of Proposition 8 were personal and strictly private. They have nothing to do with the John Templeton Foundation, which does not support or endorse political causes or candidates. Dr. Templeton is a very conscientious steward of his father's legacy and is careful to separate his own political activities from the work of the Foundation. Gary Rosen Chief External Affairs Officer John Templeton Foundation Just to clarify an issue raised in the post and the comments: The contributions of Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr. and his wife in support of Proposition 8 were personal and strictly private. They have nothing to do with the John Templeton Foundation, which does not support or endorse political causes or candidates. Dr. Templeton is a very conscientious steward of his father’s legacy and is careful to separate his own political activities from the work of the Foundation.

Gary Rosen
Chief External Affairs Officer
John Templeton Foundation

]]> By: Nathan Schneider http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50427 Nathan Schneider Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:09:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50427 As a writer on science and religion who has benefited from the Foundation in the past, I find this pretty frustrating. The Foundation has been doing a better job in recent years of appearing to know the answer already to the questions it funds research into. Now, as the father's legacy turns into the son's, this news makes me concerned about where things might go in the future. The man is entitled to his opinion, of course. But assigning oneself to be demigod-arbiter of discussions on science and religion means assuming a trust that, to me, this bigotry betrays. As a writer on science and religion who has benefited from the Foundation in the past, I find this pretty frustrating. The Foundation has been doing a better job in recent years of appearing to know the answer already to the questions it funds research into. Now, as the father’s legacy turns into the son’s, this news makes me concerned about where things might go in the future.

The man is entitled to his opinion, of course. But assigning oneself to be demigod-arbiter of discussions on science and religion means assuming a trust that, to me, this bigotry betrays.

]]> By: Lawrence Crowell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50426 Lawrence Crowell Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:46:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50426 Of course democracy doesn't work. That is why we have to keep working at it. L. C. Of course democracy doesn’t work. That is why we have to keep working at it.

L. C.

]]> By: James Nightshade http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50423 James Nightshade Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:40:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50423 I've said it before and I'll say it again: Democracy simply doesn't work. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Democracy simply doesn’t work.

]]> By: Lawrence Crowell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50422 Lawrence Crowell Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:31:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50422 It has always amused me that religious people seem so tied up in knots over sex. Even Templeton, or his foundation, which makes some attempt at intellectual contributions, got swept up in this puerile silliness. Lawrence B. Crowell It has always amused me that religious people seem so tied up in knots over sex. Even Templeton, or his foundation, which makes some attempt at intellectual contributions, got swept up in this puerile silliness.

Lawrence B. Crowell

]]> By: Jake http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50419 Jake Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:02:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50419 Just to let you know that Dan White was not a cop but an ex-Fireman. Just thought you'd like to know. Just to let you know that Dan White was not a cop but an ex-Fireman. Just thought you’d like to know.

]]> By: Risa http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50394 Risa Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:20:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50394 Sinyet -- Sir John Templeton died in July. The Prop 8 contribution for 1.1 million was from his son John Templeton Jr., who is the current president of the Templeton foundation. Sinyet — Sir John Templeton died in July. The Prop 8 contribution for 1.1 million was from his son John Templeton Jr., who is the current president of the Templeton foundation.

]]> By: Eric http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50393 Eric Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:19:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50393 <blockquote>Arguably the United States has been immeasurably strengthened by both the separation of church and state and the separation of church and science (the latter is not to be taken for granted; think of Galileo, or Bush’s incursions into stem cell lines and global warming)</blockquote> Seems to me the fact that Bush is playing the role of church in that parenthetical says something about the wisdom of taking the former for granted as well. On an unrelated note, did the comment preview button get lost in the move to discover, or am I just blind?

Arguably the United States has been immeasurably strengthened by both the separation of church and state and the separation of church and science (the latter is not to be taken for granted; think of Galileo, or Bush’s incursions into stem cell lines and global warming)

Seems to me the fact that Bush is playing the role of church in that parenthetical says something about the wisdom of taking the former for granted as well.

On an unrelated note, did the comment preview button get lost in the move to discover, or am I just blind?

]]> By: Sean http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/comment-page-1/#comment-50391 Sean Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:17:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/12/02/in-bed-with-templeton/#comment-50391 John Templeton Sr., who passed away in July of this year, was the founder of the Templeton Foundation. Leadership of which has now passed on to his son John Templeton Jr., who is much more fundamentalist where religion is concerned and right-wing as far as politics is concerned. It will be interesting to see how the activities of the Foundation will evolve under his reign. In the meantime, I think that FQXi has established an admirably non-religious mode of operation, and I'm happy to take their money. And if I ever win the Templeton Prize, I'll be sure to throw a party and invite my co-bloggers. John Templeton Sr., who passed away in July of this year, was the founder of the Templeton Foundation. Leadership of which has now passed on to his son John Templeton Jr., who is much more fundamentalist where religion is concerned and right-wing as far as politics is concerned. It will be interesting to see how the activities of the Foundation will evolve under his reign.

In the meantime, I think that FQXi has established an admirably non-religious mode of operation, and I’m happy to take their money. And if I ever win the Templeton Prize, I’ll be sure to throw a party and invite my co-bloggers.

]]>