Noted Here and There ...

by Cliopatria

The Cranky Professor hosts the inaugural rendition of Carnivale as an ancient and medieval history festival tomorrow, 5 August. Please send your nominations of posts that have gone up in the last three months about the period prior to about 1450 CE to him at professor*at*crankyprofessor*dot*com.

Mr. Sun! thinks that the Bush administration's new"No Century Left Behind" program should be of special interest to historians. Meanwhile, P. Z. Myers tracks the blogosphere's reaction to the President's endorsement of"intelligent design." (See, especially: Cosma Shalizi at Three-Toed Sloth.) It's not going so well for the Bush endorsement. Even one ID blogger is dubious. Thanks to Henry Farrell at Crooked Timber and Brandon Watson at Siris for the tips.

Scott McLemee's"The Awkward Age," Inside Higher Ed, 4 August, says that television's best depictions of adolescence have been obscure ones.

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John H. Lederer - 8/5/2005

To my untutored mind ID has little to support it beyond the fact that there are problems with darwinian evolution as a complete explanation of how life exists and has chnaged. Which may be a little more support than it seems at first, if one regards evolution, as I do, as the "best shot" so far of orthodox science.

I suspect evolution might end up being similar to one of those ancient Greek explanations of observed natural phenomena--generally the right direction, a lot better than what existed before, but with some fundamental misunderstandings.

Ralph E. Luker - 8/5/2005

So, the Prez wants students to study ID and evolution. It's a bit like making sure that the point of view of the Klan and the point of view of the NAACP are both represented, for the sake of balance doncha know.

John H. Lederer - 8/5/2005

Hmmm...I suppose there might be two possibilities as to why that might be the case (grin)

Ralph E. Luker - 8/5/2005

Good to have your proof-reading, Mr. Lederer. It somehow always corrects to the Right.

John H. Lederer - 8/4/2005

where he endorsed intelligent design:
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Q I wanted to ask you about the -- what seems to be a growing debate over evolution versus intelligent design. What are your personal views on that, and do you think both should be taught in public schools?

THE PRESIDENT: I think -- as I said, harking back to my days as my governor -- both you and Herman are doing a fine job of dragging me back to the past. (Laughter.) Then, I said that, first of all, that decision should be made to local school districts, but I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught.

Q Both sides should be properly taught?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, people -- so people can understand what the debate is about.

Q So the answer accepts the validity of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution?

THE PRESIDENT: I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought, and I'm not suggesting -- you're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, and the answer is yes.

Q So we've got to give these groups --

THE PRESIDENT: Very interesting question, Hutch. (Laughter.)

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