Yawper

In these closing days of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI made perhaps the most interesting remark of the year. Delivering the annual message to the Vatican bureaucracy, Benedict said, “the manipulation of nature, which we deplore today where our environment is concerned, now becomes man’s fundamental choice where he himself is concerned.”  This statement is an […]

In the history of America’s two-party dominated political system there has generally been a division in the orientation of the parties.  Since the formalization of parties after 1796 there has been a party of coalition and a party of idea.  This is not a perfect construct, but accurate enough to provide a useful way of […]

We stand at the dawn of the Anthropocene Age.  That is the claim of a small but growing number of scientists.  The idea of a new age in geologic time, on par with the Cretaceous or Quaternary ages, is intriguing.  It is also very likely untrue. Paul Crutzen, an atmospheric chemist, is credited with the […]

The science driving our technological age is largely absent from the 2012 U.S. Presidential campaigns.  Though it may seem curious that the wellspring of our medical, military, computer, and economic advancements is unnoticed by the major party candidates, we should be grateful. In much the same way that armies have ever clamored to claim God […]

The titan of Albany, New York spoke last night.  Alain Kalayeros, the 56 year old Lebanese physicist, wore his trademark dark denim pants and black three-button long sleeve t-shirt to the University Club of Albany to talk about his vision.  The less brilliant people in the room – like me – wore suits. Kalayeros is […]