Who's More Closed-Minded? The Right or the Left?

I had just read one of Paul Krugman's latest blog entries and then read Evolution News and Views latest entry and was surprised at their apparent agreement about the open-mindedness of liberals and closed-mindedness of conservatives.

No doubt, if we asked ENV if they felt this was a truth that could be generalized to all issues, they would disagree and offer plenty of data that suggests that liberals can be just as closed-minded regarding other issues.

My own view is that most people, including yours truly, have difficulty listening to views with which we disagree.  I don't think it matters much whether we are conservative or liberal.  We all want to think we are right about most topics and shy away from anyone who might threaten that self-image.

UPDATE:  I guess I should add that in my case, since most of my views are obviously true, there is no need for me to read the views of those who disagree with me. ;)

Funds for Replication Study of WTC Dust Being Sought

For information on the the first peer-reviewed paper of the WTC dust, which claims that active thermitic material was found in it, and the recent attempt that claimed it could not replicate the results of the experiments, but really didn't try to replicate the experiments, go here.

 If you feel like chipping in a couple of bucks for the new, single-blind study, go here.

How to Lure Unsuspecting Atheists

"I don't primarily see apologetics as the winning of arguments or converts," writes Randal Rauser, associate professor of historical theology, in his new book, The Swedish Atheist, the Scuba Diver and Other Apologetic Rabbit Trails. "Rather, apologetics is the discovery of truth through a winding, weaving, honest, aimless, pointless, and completely purposeful conversation to which two or more people desperately want to understand the way things really are."

But how does one strike up such a conversation with an atheist? Rauser offers an imaginative attempt, where he and the Reader decide to visit a local, college town coffee shop. "Let me share a tip for getting the grande conversation going," says Randal. "Employ strategically placed conversation starters. For example...." he reaches into his book bag and pulls out a shiny silver copy of Richard Dawkins's bestseller The God Delusion. "No atheist can walk by without sharing a comment on Dawkins."  With that, he places the book prominently on the edge of the pitted coffee table, slightly propped up by the corner of a couple of Mother Jones magazines for better visibility.

"Here's another conversation starter," he says as he opens his laptop. Pasted on the back of the case are two stickers, a Darwin fish and an ichthus. He taps the stickers. "Great catalysts for conversation since many people still pit Darwin against God. Whatever your views on that topic, these two stickers are bound to get people talking. That's the great thing about having a laptop. You can treat it like a portable billboard. Set up shop pretty much anywhere, pop the lid with your evocative stickers, and wait. The possibilities are endless. Just imagine the inquiries if you plastered on an 'Anarchists for Jesus' bumper sticker!"

Needless to say, Rauser's tactics work. He hooks an atheist, reels him in and begins the grande conversation of two people who desperately want to understand the way things really are. I haven't finished the book, but so far, it's been a good read.

What a Gravity-Driven Demolition Looks Like

In the previous post, professional engineer Jonathan Cole referred to the gravity-driven demolition method known as "verinage" and claimed that if one measured it's collapse, it would reveal that there was a "jolt," unlike the collapses in the North Tower and Building 7. And indeed, high school physics teacher David Chandler did just that, using a special program that measured the rate of acceleration of the collapse. The point is that in gravity-driven collapses, whether natural or man-made, if resistance is encountered there will be deceleration or a "jolt." In order to have no deceleration, the cause of resistance must be removed.

UPDATE: I thought I would add Chandler's original video, "The Downward Acceleration of the North Tower."

9/11 Experiments: Collapse versus Demolition, Parts 1 and 2

Larry Moran's Posts on Michael Behe's Arguments

Larry Moran was kind enough to provide one place where one can find his discussions of Michael Behe's arguments for intelligent design, so I thought I would pass it on to those of you who might be as interested in them as I am.

  Update: For what it's worth, coming from a layman, I think most of Moran's arguments against Behe are rather weak. The strongest one is based on Michael Lynch's views of how evolution works. But I'm not sure the scientific community fully accepts Lynch's views.

The Election is Over: Long Live the King!

The Colossian Forum offers a very important reminder:

"On the evening of the election, as polls were closing and first returns would begin to stream in, I was amazed: here were 200 parishioners at church on election night, eager to learn about ecclesiology, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. What kind of place is this?, I asked myself. 

Rob then stood up to introduce me, but first began with this announcement: “I know it’s election night, and I have some very important news that you’ll all be interested to hear: Jesus is still the risen King!” Brilliant. And true. And just the kind of centering confession the body of Christ needs to hear in fractious times."