RE: [asa] Evolution and history compulsory

"The fact is that most people don't know a damn thing about quantum physics, much less the twin-slit experiment, and would likely instinctively reject assertions related to such"

True, most people don't know... but why should they care? But with evolution, it challenges their entire worldview, and theology. I don't see any challenge to theology, at all, with quantum physics. If you do, please try to precisely explain. And if the issue is determinism vs. freewill, there's nothing new that quantum physics adds to the age old debate as far as I can see.

...Bernie
(Friend of the ASA)

________________________________
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Schwarzwald
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 10:23 PM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Evolution and history compulsory

What a load of nonsense, Bernie. The fact is that most people don't know a damn thing about quantum physics, much less the twin-slit experiment, and would likely instinctively reject assertions related to such - but, even though quantum physics challenges a very common, fundamental belief about reality, the "defenders of science" could not care less. Because what concerns them, at the end of the day, isn't science anyway.
On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 3:24 PM, Dehler, Bernie <bernie.dehler@intel.com<mailto:bernie.dehler@intel.com>> wrote:
"Maybe we should organization national groups whose goal it is to promote the teaching of and belief in quantum physics. Maybe we should conduct polls repeatedly, tracking what percentage of the population believes in quantum physics. Maybe we should ask presidential candidates whether or not they accept quantum physics, or what their opinion is on the twin-slit experiment."

All that WOULD be necessary if some religious group were opposed to quantum physics, and even denouncing it from the mega-church pulpits, as with evolution. I recently saw Ken Ham in town at a large megachurch, presenting all of his evidence to show that evolution is a farce, based on a faulty atheistic worldview. No- he did not have the guts for a public Q&A. But he did mention that atheists attend his meetings and are afraid to ask questions (I was wondering how he thought atheists should ask questions when he doesn't even give the opportunity... I suppose he thinks their opportunity is 1-1 in the foyer during the break.)

...Bernie

________________________________
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu<mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu> [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu<mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu>] On Behalf Of Schwarzwald
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 1:39 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu<mailto:asa@calvin.edu>
Subject: Re: [asa] Evolution and history compulsory

Heya Dave,

Demanding quantum physics be a required course in school? Interesting - after all, quantum physics is a very far-reaching and important field that shook up what used to be our tradition understanding of nature. Maybe we should organization national groups whose goal it is to promote the teaching of and belief in quantum physics. Maybe we should conduct polls repeatedly, tracking what percentage of the population believes in quantum physics. Maybe we should ask presidential candidates whether or not they accept quantum physics, or what their opinion is on the twin-slit experiment.

Nah. That'd come across as absurd, wouldn't it.
On Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 3:24 AM, Dave Wallace <wmdavid.wallace@gmail.com<mailto:wmdavid.wallace@gmail.com>> wrote:
Primary school children in England will have to learn about evolution and British history under a shake-up of the national curriculum.
Iain and Michael looks like possible trouble? North Americian stupidity.

It seems seems to me that the physicists should demand that quantum physics be taught, in fact each field of science should demand an advanced course be taught in elementary school. ;(

Dave W
To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu<mailto:majordomo@calvin.edu> with "unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.

To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@calvin.edu with
"unsubscribe asa" (no quotes) as the body of the message.
Received on Sat Nov 21 13:10:02 2009