The View from Number 80

The end of the year and century is approaching as is the end of the millennium by some reckonings. Apparently the monk, Dionysius Exiguus, (a.k.a. Little Dennis) who calculated the supposed birthdate of Jesus was unaware of the concept of zero, not unusual for the West at that time, thus throwing an already dodgy calculation out even further. The whole question is rendered yet more academic according to Earl Doherty on his provocative and fascinating website The Jesus Puzzle - Was There No Historical Jesus?. This is a well presented site packed with information including a page for reader's feedback - and there is plenty of it. Whether you are swayed by Doherty's arguments or not you will be made to examine many possibly unconscious preconceptions.

Biblical Dinosaurs

For a contrast the next site Project Creation  where it is argued that every word of the Bible is literally true and that evolution is not only wrong but a conspiracy. This is a well laid out site with some wonderfully wacky ideas such as dinosaurs co- existing with human beings (Flintstones!) and the concept of evolutionary theory as a pagan religion. The work of modern geologists is held up to ridicule and yet, old cynic that I am, I bet the site's author benefits from the use of fossil fuels located and made available by this Godless science. (Yes I am a spoilsport but just because a belief brings you comfort doesn't make it true.)

UFOlklore

In a different but related vein is The UFO Folklore Center. This page's author tells how his grandfather, a native American, rescued the alien occupant of a crashed spacecraft from whom he learned the true history of our planet and the human race. It is an intriguing tale with all the flavor of a 1940's science fiction magazine but asserted as true. It would be fun to put the author in touch with Project Creation........or maybe not!

Evolving World

.........and now for something completely different. The World of Dawkins would definitely have the Project Creation folk apoplectic with horror. This praiseworthy site is largely devoted to the work of Richard Dawkins but, as stated within, not endorsed by him. Dawkins, author of such books as The Selfish Gene and Unweaving the Rainbow (an inspiring defence of the scientific imagination - see 80's Recommended Reading) is a tireless advocate not only of evolution but also of rational thinking in all spheres. He quite rightly feels that awe at the wonder, vastness and complexity of the Universe does not require religious belief. This website has interviews with the man and many excellent quotes plus loads of other information, book reviews on a host of subjects - but strangely nothing on cavemen cavorting with dinosaurs. The site's originator, John Catalano, has put together an excellent resource. The latest addition is a page sparked by Kansas Board of Education's decision not to allow the teaching of evolution. (If you fall ill from harmful bacteria that have out- evolved the indiscriminate use of antibiotics don't call a doctor trained in Kansas.) Which brings us full circle to Project Creation!

Serpentine Site

This last website is about Snakerobots (yes, that's right)  This is not as weird as it first looks. Dr Gavin Miller has been studying snake locomotion since 1987 and has built several working models. The site features pictures and most impressively movie clips of the critters in action. (You will need Quicktime installed and be prepared for a moderately heavy download.) The robots have many practical applications not least the exploration of other planets - NASA has shown interest. Lest this appear all too worthy there is a link to Miller's spy snake called On Her Majesty's Secret Serpent - love it. Mind bogglingly, Miller is not alone, he also provides a link to ".....the world's other snake robots." This is obviously an idea whose time has come. The thought occurs maybe the serpent in the Garden of Eden was built by an evil mad scientist - I must email Project Creation - this is right up their street.

"Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do"   Jean-Paul Sartre

"AM or PM?"  Ross W Sargent

...........and from the World of Dawkins quotes

"The world and the universe is an extremely beautiful place, and the more we understand about it the more beautiful does it appear." Richard Dawkins

"Scientific truth is too beautiful to be sacrificed for the sake of light entertainment or money. Astrology is an aesthetic affront. It cheapens astronomy, like using Beethoven for commercial jingles." Richard Dawkins      

"The popularity of the paranormal, oddly enough, might even be grounds for encouragement . I think that the appetite for mystery, the enthusiasm for that which we do not understand, is healthy and to be fostered. It is the same appetite which drives the best of true science, and it is an appetite which true science is best qualified to satisfy."  Richard Dawkins

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