Posts published in “Scientific Curmudgeon”

I once admired Thomas Jefferson, seeing him as a great man with a tragic flaw: The writer of the inspiring words “all men are created equal” owned slaves.

Is progress a pipe dream? I debated this question recently with my Stevens colleague Garry Dobbins, a philosopher. Below are pro-progress points I made during the debate.–John

Hobbes is hot. The 17^th-century British philosopher argued that before civilization, our ancestors were mired in a “war of all against all.”

I’m going to vote for Hillary Clinton, and not just because Donald Trump is a “sociopath” (as his former ghostwriter puts it).

I’ve been blabbing a lot lately about consciousness, the ultimate enigma. I used to think why there is something rather than nothing is the ultimate enigma.

As a science journalist, I try to raise questions about science and technology, which dominate our era. I try to do the same thing as director of the Center for Science Writings, which I started more than a decade ago here at Stevens.

Did you know there is a Transhumanist Party, which has a candidate in the U.S. Presidential race? Transhumanism espouses the transformation of humanity through genetic engineering, brain implants and other technologies.

I wish I could believe that we are rapidly approaching “The Singularity.” Like heaven, the Singularity comes in many versions, but most involve bionic brain boosting.

I play pond hockey. After we whack the puck around a while, and we’re soaked in sweat and sagging, I shout, “Next goal wins!”