Several interesting happenings this week, all to do with science. Some of you may know (and others may have guessed) that, like Man-E-Faces of He-Man fame, I can change personalities simply by spinning the dial on my head (or something). While the personality that hangs around the most is all Englishy and History-oriented, there is a very scientific, analytical me just below the surface. I have a science degree hanging right beside the arts and teaching degrees on the walls and I sometimes despair that I don't get to use it enough. This week, however, has allowed me to stretch some of these muscles. The science-related incidents of the week:1) 'Sir, do you know any practicing Scientists?'
I was asked this question on Monday and resisted the urge to answer 'no, all of the ones I know already have it right'. Instead, I said 'yeah, I'm a practicing Scientist'. The student asking the question pressed me on this issue, asking what scientific work I had done recently. I didn't even think before saying 'None in particular - Science is a belief, not a daily exercise'.
To me, this is entirely accurate. I think and work logically - that is science. I believe in things that are proven to be true - that is science (and the basis of this whole blogging exercise). My belief system is a scientific one.
Sadly none of this philosophy helped the student, who was doing his science homework and needed someone famous. I told him to look up today's addition to the Pantheon.
2. "Someone should write Kipling's Jungle Book, but set it in a graveyard"
On Tuesday, I went with Luke and a few others to see Neil Gaiman at a talk and signing (and stole this photo from Luke's blog). Neil was reading from 'The Graveyard Book', his new story to be released in October, and he explained that the above was the basis of the story. This got me to thinking about writing and specifically about imagining new stories. Given that there is very little that is new, when we conceive a new idea, are we in fact just using old ideas like Lego bricks or algebra in a formula, plugging them in and coming up with a total? I like to think not (or at least Artsy-Me likes to), instead preferring to imagine that the inspiration of the muses makes each and every story different. Science-Me isn't so sold on the whole idea though...3. "What's a Scientologist?"
Wednesday, watching Boston Legal, my beloved better half asked me this complex and hard-not-to-laugh-while-answering-kind-of question. With a mostly straight face, I explained L. Ron Hubbard's whackadoo (isn't that a marvellous word?) theories mere seconds before Alan Shore did so far more eloquently. I think I take knowledge, particularly Nerdy knowledge, for granted sometimes. I guess this shows that science is definitely a belief system - if it were a set of actions, it'd be much harder to accept as part of the background to one's life.4. "Sir, do you believe in God?"
A facetious young man in my Year 8 class asked me this on Friday and, as I value my job, I supported the school's Christian ethos by saying 'yes' and quickly getting back to poetry. Of course, a tremendous number of responses flew through my head in the second before I answered, ranging from 'Not exactly, go read my blog' to 'Please don't be stupider than you already are, you neanderthal', but my sense of self-preservation beat them all to the punch. Still, I have to wonder - is science my religion? Are religions and beliefs necessarily the same thing, or is it all just some silly, semantic game we play? I'm not sure of the answer, but one thing is certain - I love science. I love being scientific. I especially love Evolution and the notion that I can mix yellow and white in a test tube and make purple.
Which brings me to this post's addition to the pantheon. Science is a massive thing, far too great to allocate to any one individual. So today, I am proud to announce the induction of a god who, like me, is not actually what you'd call a practicing scientist, but someone who loves science, particularly the area of science that is dearest to my heart...
Sir David Attenborough, Disciple of Biology
Wait, what's that you say? A God can't be someone else's disciple? Well, you're wrong. The word disciple connotes devotion, duty and connectedness, all things that Sir David has for the natural world. Since the 1950's, this man has worked tirelessly to promote understanding of nature and respect for its beauty, majesty and power. No DVD shelf is complete without one of his documentaries. His iconic voice, so greatly mocked anywhere I appear, is deceptively emotional and revealing, leaving viewers in no doubt about his sheer delight at the world around him. There is no-one in the world, nor has there ever been, who could be so suited to the task of custodian and teacher of nature. He is a gentle soul, slow to anger but righteous in his cause.
The next time you're outside and feel that pull, that indefinable attraction to a green field or rocky shore, say a brief prayer to Sir David and revel in the beauty of sunshine, fresh air and brightly coloured lizards.
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2 comments:
I'm e-famous! Go me and my photographic skills.
I said something about Science as a faith not too long ago as part of a uni course. It was along the lines of there's a lot of SCIENCE! stuff that I don't personally understand the workings of, or have the time or means to test it for myself, and so I need to take it as a given that someone else has done the legwork.
I believe it, because a bunch of someone elses say there's proof. I know that's fundamentally wrong, but it works for me. Black boxes are fun.
Also, since you sort of mentioned it, nerdiness needs a patron saint too. Although to stop it turning in to a pissing contest, which it just might, geekiness might be safer, what with the very slight chic it entails.
As for Attenborough (that's right, glossing straight over Scientology. If you can't say anything nice...), I couldn't think of someone who makes science more acceptable to the masses, or who has provided me with a better voice to mimic when narrating what people are doing when I have an audience.
Luke, you're going to be the center of a terrible new Internet meme and it will haunt you for a thousand years, or until Fark and eBaum's World stops stitching together terrible photoshops like "What is Neil Gaiman Doing?" and "Favorite Authors Pointing at Stuff."
And glad you updated, "Head-Teacher," don't just vanish after one post like your last blog.
Oh, and what do you think about the idea that action movies were made as an attempt to make modern myth (subconsciously, of course)? Or comic book characters? I've heard it a lot, and think it holds at least some weight, but I'd like to see you make a post about it. Maybe we should be worshiping (well, more so than we do now) chiseled abs and rippling biceps is what pop culture is telling us?
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