Monthly Archives: November 2015

Six amazing dinosaur discoveries that changed the world

Six amazing dinosaur discoveries that changed the world

Recently, an auction of a dinosaur skeleton, discovered in Jurassic-aged rocks in the US, was held in West Sussex, England. The skeleton was that of a largely complete, immature, three-metre long carnivorous dinosaur: Allosaurus fragilis – “delicate strange reptile”. It was anticipated that the specimen would sell for somewhere in the region of £300,000-£500,000. Interestingly, […] … learn more→

This is not a Day Care. It’s a University!

This is not a Day Care. It’s a University!

This past week, I actually had a student come forward after a university chapel service and complain because he felt “victimized” by a sermon on the topic of 1 Corinthians 13. It appears that this young scholar felt offended because a homily on love made him feel bad for not showing love. In his mind, […] … learn more→

Should parents expose children to news on terrorism?

Should parents expose children to news on terrorism?

The recent attacks in Paris are the latest in a long list of events whose blanket coverage on TV has had a strong influence on the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of many children. Footage of wars, bombings, shootings, floods and bushfires can traumatise children, leading to sleep disturbances and anxieties in normally non-threatening situations, including […] … learn more→

Most biased College courses receive awards

Most biased College courses receive awards

I believe in academic freedom, that I generally don’t have the right to tell another professor what should go on in his course. I also believe in academic scholarship, and I’ve witnessed so many violations of this latter concept that sometimes I wonder if maybe this “freedom” thing is being used irresponsibly. Not every field […] … learn more→

Smart tips to prepare for your college exams

Smart tips to prepare for your college exams

We all understand the value of quality education in our life and thus ensure that whatever field of the subject we study we put in our best possible efforts to get the best out if it. Right from the early childhood we have witnessed that assessment is a part of our education and without which […] … learn more→

Torrents of bile: publish and be damned

Torrents of bile: publish and be damned

Who can ever tell what lurks in the depths of the internet? Five years ago, I wrote an article arguing that the idea of a “war” between science and religion is not a very helpful one, given that “all-out wars between neighbours tend to be pretty unpleasant, and the reality is that atheistic scientists have […] … learn more→

$1,000,000 to fix a nonexistent hate crime

$1,000,000 to fix a nonexistent hate crime

A message of hope for today, Thanksgiving. When the end of most regimes is marked by astonishing incompetence. Whether it’s the French royalty, the USSR, or take your pick of any banana republic, the revolt happens after it becomes clear that the people in power are truly incapable and unworthy of rule. I believe today’s […] … learn more→

Why Thanksgiving tells a story of America’s pluralism

Why Thanksgiving tells a story of America’s pluralism

Thanksgiving has been a focus of autumn grade-school curriculum for a hundred years. Because of its paradoxical combination of tradition and invention, its appeals to the past and to the future, its ancestor worship and its acceptance of diversity, Thanksgiving remains America’s most treasured celebration. The question is, at a moment when we are increasingly […] … learn more→

Dr Daddy and the double act

Dr Daddy and the double act

It’s 4.30pm and the new student welcome event is in full swing. There’s even the odd bottle of wine doing the rounds. Practically no one shows any real desire to leave. No one, that is, except me. Just as everyone else is piling into the cupcakes (again!) or grabbing some more nibbles, I throw on […] … learn more→