Harry's Blog

I know it's a bit late for talking of new year resolutions but earlier in the month I couldn't actually think of anything I wanted to promise myself in 2012. After some thought I've now decided on something - partly inspired by the approach of the BBC radio show The Infinite Monkey Cage.

Over the years I've embroiled myself in many a compex argument with creationists and those that subscribe to the intelligent design concept. The sad fact is these people are too into their delusions and lies to admit their error. You can't change the opinion of people this stupid. And I've come to realise I'm just wasting my breath.

The other problem with debating with creationists and especially intelligent design advocates is that they believe that their view is of equal value in a scientific discussion as those who offer real scientific theories. In trying to debate with these muppets we've given them credence, which is far from what they deserve. They peddle their "evolution is just a theory" nonsense at length - despite not understand what "theory" actually means in a scientific context. They believe that "theory" means guess, it doesn't.

Now before you send the Eco-Stazi round I just want to make clear that I believe that it's more likely than not that mankind is having an adverse effect on our climate. But my beef is the way that views on climate change are being forced on people and the way language is being used to do so.

We're well used to hearing phrases like "holocaust denier" - and rightly such people are pilloried for being ignorant racist fools. But when similar language is applied to people who are unconvinced by what continue to be a lot of contradictory arguments, bad science and total nonsense it's not surprising people remain sceptical about the concept of man-made climate change.

To describe such people as "climate change deniers" is disingenuous, unfair and really a Godwin'a Law own-goal. It also displays a Newspeak style attempt at controlling thought through language.

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8152002.stm

What kind of person brings children into the world at the age of 67? This woman lied to get fertiility treatment - though I can't understand why it would be right for a 55 year old woman either - and has now died aged 69. Her astonishing vanity in giving birth at such an age means that these two children are now orphaned.

It's well known among those who can read a book without moving their lips that Dan Brown is a terrible writer. However some of you not be aware of just how bad his research is despite Brown's claim that his books are full of facts. Just take a look at this amazingly long list of factual errors in Angels & Demons.

How do you power a chain of Arctic lighthouses hundreds of miles away from the nearest human habitation? The answer during the cold war was nuclear energy. Here's a fascinating look at one of the abandoned cold war nuclear lighthouses.

The nomination of Sarah Palin as the GoP VP candidate in the US presidential election has once again brought the subject of creationism to the fore. When the Republicans cynically decided that what McCain needed in a running mate was someone who owned a vagina I'm not sure they knew what they were letting themselves in for because Palin brings with her a whole heap of down-home nonsense. Like creationism.

One of the most common questions you hear from people discussing creationism is "how can someone intelligent believe in it?" And of course hand-wringing liberals make all kinds of excuses for intelligent people who seemingly believe the world was made in six days 6000 years ago.

Last week the GLW our progeny and myself decamped to London Zoo for the day. ZSL certainly knows how to make a few quid, charging £11 just for parking before asking for £17 for each adult. They stopped short of requiring a blood sacrifice from our children.

Was it worth the money though?

I've watched the debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill rather aghast at the unscientific, uncharitable and anti-intellectual guff that has been spouted by various bishops over the last few days.

You would think that science was suggesting we open up the gates of Hell rather than keeping splodges of cells alive for just two weeks to help solve major illnesses and bring relief to millions. There's more life in the potatoes in your cupboard than these embryos. But there are some clerics who think these splodges have more right to life than you mother suffering from alzheimer's, your dad with Parkinsons, your friend with cancer.

Some terrible news today. It seems the removal of funding will result in the closure of Jodrell Bank Observatory, the home of the massive Lovell Radio Telescope. This country seems hell-bent on forgetting real science completely. You can read more on this story at The Times (open in a new window/tab).

According to the latest research, not only are curvy women more attractive to most men - they are on average smarter too, live longer and have more intelligent children.

You can read more about this at The Times Online (open in a new window/tab)