my 200th post -- the God post!

Over winter break, the topic of belief in God came up briefly with Offspring #2. I use the word "briefly" because I couldn't articulate my thoughts well enough on the spot to make it a more lengthy discussion. So, I've thought about things more and here's why I give the nod to God. (I guess you'll be the judge if I can articulate any better at this point!)

I should perhaps start by saying that I've always been interested in both science and theology -- especially where they 'intersect'. (I'm sure that explains why several of my undergraduate electives were theology classes while getting my biology degree.) It's not that I'm trying to use science to either prove or disprove the existence of God (that can't be done anyway), but I believe one's 'faith' shouldn't contradict reason either. I've never been willing or able to suspend my brain activity for the sake of any 'religion'.

Having said that, I do think science provides some 'evidence' that points to a transcendent cause. For starters, there is this incredibly narrow band of parameters which made complex forms of life and consciousness a possibility. In fact, Stephen Hawking made the comment that if the rate of expansion one second after the Big Bang had been smaller by even 1 part in 100 thousand million, the universe would have recollapsed. He said, "The odds against a universe like ours emerging out of something like the Big Bang are enormous. I think there are clearly religious implications." Of course you can argue if this is design or accident, but the numbers, at least in my mind, are pretty compelling.

Then there's the fact that nature obeys laws. For me, this begs the question "What brought about these laws of physics to make evolution possible?" I find the newest work by physicists on string theory and M-theory particularly fascinating. Some physicists believe that it will be possible one day to write a single (and beautifully simple) 'ultimate equation' from which all laws of reality can be derived. So, then I'd have to ask: Why that particular equation? And, Who 'wrote' it?

It's enough to make a brain hurt so I'll just close with a limerick written by George Gamow (a physicist and cosmologist) which seems appropriate for this post:

There was a young fellow from Trinity
Who took the square root of infinity
But the number of digits
Gave him the fidgits;
He dropped Math and took up Divinity.

I'd welcome any comments out there in bloggerland!

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(Big Bang pic from here. It's difficult to find good Big Bang photos. Hmm... guess there weren't many cameras around at the time.)

'toon of the day

Ah, if only all eye conditions were this straightforward!
I'm back from the Glaucoma Symposium which was great.

Think I'm going to be sort of lazy today...


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cartoon by T. McCracken

jumpin' in the roadster

That's me -- about to dash off in my spiffy roadster to attend the Glaucoma Symposium in Woodinville, Washington. Notice how Mompriest and Hot Cup are wishing me well. Presbyterian Gal (far right) is asking if she can come along. It's not that she's interested in the continuing education classes, she just wants a ride in the convertible.

Anywhoo, I'm looking forward to the symposium -- I'm familiar with the speakers and they are top notch.

While I am motoring up to Woodinville (with the breeze gently ruffling my hair), feel free to read this article. Mompriest brought it to my attention. It's a New York Times Op-Ed piece by Gloria Steinem called "Women are Never Front-Runners". Steinem makes some great points.

While either Obama or Clinton would represent positive change from the current administration, damn it would be nice to see the glass ceiling shattered.

and just like that, they're gone...

Yep, the chickens have flown the coop. Winter break is over and Offsprings #1 and #2 are back up at college. How the heck did time fly by so fast?!

on a serious note...

I'll admit it. I suffer from eco-anxiety, a concern for (and fear of) our environmental future. It started a while back as a mildly unsettled feeling when reading National Geographic and Scientific American articles; but, with the emergence of more data and increasingly clear scientific consensus on climate change, it has turned into flat-out worry.

I don't like politics and this is not a political blog. But. As I have been watching the debates and listening to the presidential candidates it strikes me that this next president will, realistically, have the last chance to avert catastrophic climate change. There is no longer time for us to wait out another administration apathetic to the environment. The challenge before us will be to elect someone who "gets it" and support the level of commitment needed to address this issue. Because if we don't, all other issues at some point become moot.

To see where the top six candidates stand on global warming, click here.

Seven Whoppers

I've been tagged by Diane to tell 7 lies about myself. Well, here goes!

1. Deeply inspired as a child by both "Mr. Clean" and "The Man from Glad", I wore only white clothing.





2. In the 70's I worked as a freelance photographer shooting album covers. My most famous was the "Waking and Dreaming" picture for Orleans. However, strangely enough, nobody seemed to want to hire me after this one.




3. I am an avid, "extreme" snowboarder, always willing to try new and exciting jumps. Unfortunately, this one ended in the parking lot. And not well.





4. I primarily went into optometry because writing wasn't working out. I did get one novel published about an attractive bovine detective entitled "Nancy Moo: The Secret in the Old Hayloft", but it was only popular in North Dakota.




5. And speaking of North Dakota... I am a worldclass yodeler. In fact, I have taken the Grand Tonsil Trophy three years straight at the ND Bratwurst and Yodeling Festival in Bismarck, beating out Hilda Huffenflugen (who is pictured below).




6. I have a patent pending for "Pick Up Spaghetti Sticks!" The idea is simple, yet brilliant. You play with the brightly colored pasta, then cook 'em when you are done playing. I'm sure it will catch on.




And finally,
7. With the writer's strike dragging on, network executives are looking to rework old material with fresh faces. As such, I am excited to announce that Presbyterian Gal and I have begun work on "Cagney and Lacey: A New Beginning". I will be playing the role made famous by Tyne Daly and Presbyterian Gal will, of course, reprise the Sharon Gless role. (I'm still working on my New York accent.)




I tag anybody who would like to jump in and shamelessly lie. (How about it, Hot Cup and Purpletologically Speaking?)

happy new year!

Offspring #1 enjoyed fireworks at the Space Needle for New Years Eve. (My New Years Eve, although nice, was a bit less exciting.)

Anywhoo, she took the above photo. Methinks she is a good photographer...