Due to technical hiccup this blog has now moved to www.undercoversceptic.blogspot.com
Apoligies for inconvenience,
Den.
Friday 8 May 2009
Thursday 7 May 2009
Deconstructionism
I received an email this very night from a fellow sceptic that is far more knowledgeable and eloquent than I. However like the best of us he stumbled and I was fortunate enough to be the person he looked to for advice on a prickly subject area.
The word 'Deconstructionism' was mentioned and tied in with Scepticism, a very true but deliciously naughty little puzzle to throw at someone as Deconstructionism is not that widely recognized as associated with the modern sceptic's movement.
Put quite simply Deconstruction and it's verb Deconstructionism was sometimes used pejoratively to suggest nihilism and frivolous skepticism.
I could imagine it as being used against the Solipsists or in fact anyone that took Skepticism to it's most extreme, which any of us could do if we so wish, see: 'here is a hand' argument.
So deconstructionism as scepticism, true but only in the sense of questioning another branch of skepticism by belittling. I would not personally classify deconstructionism as scepticism purely on the basis of belittling, there are better ways to hammer the nail than resorting to cheap flaming tricks as found on many forum boards, including that of many sceptic sites.
In popular usage the term has come to mean a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought.
Which is the way I feel the description of Deconstruction should stay, the ties to scepticism at best were tenuous and in the past, we are in a new age of Scepticism, I feel a better one,
Regards,
Den.
The word 'Deconstructionism' was mentioned and tied in with Scepticism, a very true but deliciously naughty little puzzle to throw at someone as Deconstructionism is not that widely recognized as associated with the modern sceptic's movement.
Put quite simply Deconstruction and it's verb Deconstructionism was sometimes used pejoratively to suggest nihilism and frivolous skepticism.
I could imagine it as being used against the Solipsists or in fact anyone that took Skepticism to it's most extreme, which any of us could do if we so wish, see: 'here is a hand' argument.
So deconstructionism as scepticism, true but only in the sense of questioning another branch of skepticism by belittling. I would not personally classify deconstructionism as scepticism purely on the basis of belittling, there are better ways to hammer the nail than resorting to cheap flaming tricks as found on many forum boards, including that of many sceptic sites.
In popular usage the term has come to mean a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought.
Which is the way I feel the description of Deconstruction should stay, the ties to scepticism at best were tenuous and in the past, we are in a new age of Scepticism, I feel a better one,
Regards,
Den.
Monday 4 May 2009
We're all Africans
Surprisingly it comes as a bit of a shock when I mention to people, especially people that partake in racist comments and jokes, that 'We all walked out of Africa'. Its a mix of shock, horror and absolute protestation in some cases and in the extreme a little colourful language when they refuse to believe me.
Now Dr Tishkoff and her team have provided a 'Genetic map' of Africa which will help study the history and culture of not just Africans but all humanity, opens the gates for further genomic and biomedical research and plays a role in identifying disease susceptibility and the different ways in which people respond to drugs," Dr Tishkoff explained.
The garden of Eden has indeed proven to bear much fruit, life did start there and such diverse life that has spread all over the world. It is only right that science should travel back there, to find the truth of our ancestry, to find the key to unlocking the secrets of our DNA, to finding the cures for mankinds deadliest of diseases.
If you want to cure something, go back to it's roots, start there, see what you can find, the tips of the branches are too late, the rot has set in.
After ten years of hard slog research the work is paying fruitfully for Dr. Tishkoff who deserves all our praise for completing such a difficult task while others gave up long before.
The part I love best is this quote from Mark Thomas, from the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at UCL.
"because the origins of African American ancestry can be seen "all the way from Senegal down to Angola, it will be a long time before a DNA test will be able to identify someone's ancestral origin.
"That's despite the ridiculous claims of some of these DNA testing companies."
Booyah, thats one for real science and a poke in the eye for these DNA companies trying to cash in on a new fad sweeping the nation!
Regards,
Den.
Now Dr Tishkoff and her team have provided a 'Genetic map' of Africa which will help study the history and culture of not just Africans but all humanity, opens the gates for further genomic and biomedical research and plays a role in identifying disease susceptibility and the different ways in which people respond to drugs," Dr Tishkoff explained.
The garden of Eden has indeed proven to bear much fruit, life did start there and such diverse life that has spread all over the world. It is only right that science should travel back there, to find the truth of our ancestry, to find the key to unlocking the secrets of our DNA, to finding the cures for mankinds deadliest of diseases.
If you want to cure something, go back to it's roots, start there, see what you can find, the tips of the branches are too late, the rot has set in.
After ten years of hard slog research the work is paying fruitfully for Dr. Tishkoff who deserves all our praise for completing such a difficult task while others gave up long before.
The part I love best is this quote from Mark Thomas, from the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at UCL.
"because the origins of African American ancestry can be seen "all the way from Senegal down to Angola, it will be a long time before a DNA test will be able to identify someone's ancestral origin.
"That's despite the ridiculous claims of some of these DNA testing companies."
Booyah, thats one for real science and a poke in the eye for these DNA companies trying to cash in on a new fad sweeping the nation!
Regards,
Den.
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