Tag Archives: Politics

Some Thoughts on Fantasy

Posted on October 5, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

So, as part of the discussion on my previous post, n8chz has directed my attention towards a discussion going on the blog the Hipcrime Vocab . This post (which is well worth the read) asks the question: given all of the problems … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Giving Stephen Harper Too Much Credit

Posted on September 14, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

Ever since Stephen Harper was first elected in 2006, there has been an endless conversation going on in Canada’s media and academic institutions about the ideological predispositions of his government. Is he a genuine fundamentalist, or is he just playing one … Continue reading →

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How Pure Cynicism Made Me Into An Idealist

Posted on June 23, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

Those who know me are of the impression that I am a very cynical person. My own grandmother, as a matter of fact, when I was only nine years old, labelled me as being “the single most naturally cynical person … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Personal Stuff, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Prediction

Posted on June 6, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

One reason for which I love the new Cosmos series is that it really doesn’t pussyfoot around those issues upon which the science is “settled” but the politics are really not. Already, this has led to criticisms of the series from creationists … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Playing The Martyr

Posted on April 30, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

I have recently come to the conclusion that the main reason why so many people misunderstand the nature of “freedom of speech” is that large chunks of the mainstream media deliberately confuse the issue. Simply put, pundits benefit from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why There’s No Such Thing as Being “Apolitical”

Posted on April 27, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

Occasionally, I will hear from people who appreciate my writing, or my scientific work, or my qualities as a person, but who have little use for my politics. They invariably ask some variant of the question: “why do you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Are There No “Sociopolitical Popularizers?”

Posted on April 14, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

I recently had an intense discussion with a friend of mine in the social sciences, who was incensed that scientists were so ignorant of, and reflexively hostile towards sociopolitical critiques of science. I think this person had a fair point … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Irrational Exuberance, New Space, and Jaime Holding a Bucket of Cold Water

Posted on March 30, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

So as you know, I really like space. And I am as excited as anyone to think about new developments in space exploration. However, I am in a minority of the international space community when I admit that I’m not at all sanguine … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics, Politics, Science, Skepticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Condescension and Resentment

Posted on March 23, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

A few minutes ago, a former professor of mine directed my attention to this New Republic article on the subject of condescending coastal attitudes towards the American midwest. I cannot speak for the Americans, but we have something similar here in … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Why the Culture War was over before it began

Posted on March 15, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

I am not a supporter of “Whig history;” I do not, by any means, believe that time naturally progresses towards greater human liberty, and whenever I hear some well-meaning liberal making this argument, I assume that they are probably looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments