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July 19, 2006
Some trivial thoughts as I pack for the Dominican
First, it seems that I will have to do a bit of writing while in DR, but thankfully it has nothing to do with work. I'm taking a course this summer to raise my GPA and have to submit a short paper for next Wednesday. It's a science course, but one that deals with the emergence of certain schools of thought and key developments in biology between the 17th-19th century (and subsequent impacts on society, politics, etc). This year, the lectures focus mainly on the development of modern genetics and cytology, with offshoot discussions relating to eugenics, racism and social Darwinism.
I have more than a passing interest in the history of science, from antiquity all the way down to the old bearded European "natural philosopers" with their giant microscopes and eccentric little societies. Something of a neglected obsession actually, but I'm rekindling it by taking this course. Anyway, the readings (very old journal articles, Royal Society papers, etc) should make the paper a fun exercise.
Also, my professor is cute in a rumpled academic sort of way. Ten years ago I would have found him immensely attractive, but nowadays I am not drawn to men wearing cargo pants with dissection stains on them.
Anyway, back to packing.
PS - Front page of the National Post today, a marvelous bit of partisan cocksuckery despite the Canadian PM's hilariously unbalanced handling of the Lebanese crisis (this after 7 Canadians were killed by IDF airstrikes while visiting relatives in Lebanon).
Yes, the very same wankers who published a false story about Iran requiring that Jews and Christians wear special badges.
Posted by eerie at July 19, 2006 09:52 PM
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Comments
Funny, my first reaction to the word that should follow "Dominican" is "nun," not "Republic." That would make packing beachwear a real challenge.
Posted by: Eva Luna ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://eerie.aqoul.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 19, 2006 11:25 PM
Isn't it remarkable how dull history of science can be made if one goes about it earnestly enough? All those colorful people, marching toward the dawn of progress in orderly lines. What a waste. In a way, the key to the effectiveness of modern science is how pedestrian it allows its practitioners to be. Climb on a pile of pebbles, put a couple pebbles on top, get tenure. Scientists were more intersting on the whole when science was less coherent. Before they invented modern math, in particular. You can train a monkey to use formal proof techniques, but you need to be really clever to come up with one of those quaint geometric arguments for the same results.
I didn't realize anyone out there cared about GPAs, by the way.
Posted by: Michael at July 20, 2006 12:08 AM
why, exactly, are you raising your GPA? going back for a grad degree?
Posted by: drdougfir at July 20, 2006 12:28 AM
Yeah, I might apply for an MBA next year. Or not.
Posted by: eerie at July 20, 2006 10:27 AM
perhaps i'll see you in class then.
have fun on your vacation!
Posted by: drdougfir at July 20, 2006 10:35 AM
