A devil’s catechism » « Squid Hox genes

Flitting hither and yon with PZ

You may be wondering where I’ve been. It’s been a busy couple of days, and the next few weeks look even busier. The full itinerary is below the fold.

I flew into New York on Monday, and attended a book party for Chris Mooney (he was handing out copies of his book like popcorn), hosted by Adam Bly, who also presided over the next day’s event. On Tuesday, I was at the Inspiration Festival, which I’m sorry to say I later learned was a fairly pricey event to get into—it was part of a series of advertising week events going on around the city. If you tried to show up and weren’t let in without forking over big cash, my apologies—there were lots of cameras taping it all, though, including the Seed videographer, so with any luck it’ll appear on the web sometime.

I got to hear from or talk with quite a few interesting people. Among them were
Pardis Sabeti (I scored a CD!),
Jaymie Gerard (thanks for lunch, Jaymie!),
Jonah Lehrer (he has a book coming out next year—and he’s so young),
Randy Olson (I snagged a DVD of a Flock of Dodos!),
Lisa Randall (“Harvard physicist” is such an imposing phrase, isn’t it?), and
Natalie Jeremijenko (very cool stuff with feral robot dogs).

It was a terrific meeting, though; it’s always good to meet with people with such different views on everything, and it got me thinking, that’s for sure.

What’s next? The first couple of weeks of October are looking a little frantic.

  • 3 Oct: Fargo! I’m going to be giving a talk at the Science, Religion and Lunch seminar at NDSU. That’s going to be in the Meadow Lark Room in the NDSU Memorial Union at noon.

  • 5 Oct: Morris! Al Franken will be speaking at the Armory in Morris at 6:30. There are still tickets available, I think.

  • 8 Oct: Willmar! I’ll be speaking at the Unitarian Church in town on creationist distortions of scientific evidence. Man, it’s been a long, long time since I ever set foot in a church.

  • 10-17 Oct: London! That’s right, London! The one in England! Larry Moran and I are going to be making the grand tour of evolutionary touchstones out that way, meeting a few people and just having a grand time. As militant atheists, I’m thinking we ought to get white shirts and ties and bicycles, and cruise the city making converts like a couple of Mormons. Maybe we should rap up the Queen and explain what silly nonsense that Anglicanism is.

    Nah, I think we’re going to be too busy with museums and scientists and stuff that matters to waste time with the royal family.

Now I just have to rebound from yesterday’s trip and get caught up on classwork. Oy, there’s a stack of exams to grade waiting for me at my desk.

A devil’s catechism » « Squid Hox genes

Comments

  2. says

    I think you’ll find that most English don’t really care either way about religion. That’s what the church of England is for.

    Have fun. I’m not sure where to recommend you go – I’m sure the Natural History Museum is already on your list.

    Now, I’m homesick. Sigh.

  4. says

    The Jeremy Bentham pub in Bloomsbury might be an appropriate place for a pint, if you have the time – close to UCL, which has his skeleton (and also close to the British Museum). Also, there are a few places near Westminster Abbey, which you’ll have to enter if you want to see Darwin’s resting place.

  5. deanbcurtis says

    While in the UK, perhaps a crossing of paths with Richard Dawkins? The God Delusion tour wheels through Cambridge, Birmingham, and Cheltenham. Not exactly close, but not terribly far either.

  7. says

    I recommend a visit to the John Snow pub. It is named after the guy who mapped a cholera epidemic and determined its source as a particular well (just by the pub). The first application of GIS.

    Its a decent venue for a pint and has some of the cheapest prices in London.

    http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/Snow/snowpub.html

    As for museums, obviously go to the NHM and the British Muesum. However, if you have time I recommend the Museum of London, which has an excellent prehistory section.

  8. Louis says

    PZ (and Larry),

    I for one would be most willing and grateful to meet you guys in London for a beer. Maybe a Howlerfest (although I am a very lapsed TOer at the moment) in this nation’s fair capital?

    I’d also be happy to help organise a NHM or Downe House trip if anyone else was up for it.

    Louis

  9. pansauce says

    Lisa Randall (“Harvard physicist” is such an imposing phrase, isn’t it?)

    I just started reading her book, Warped Passages, a couple days ago. She deserves whatever imposing phrase gets attached to her name.

  10. says

    The Horniman museum in South London is worth a trip out to: it was assembled by a Victorian merchant and it has a large natural history section – and in true Victorian style, that means splayed-open cats in pickle jars and such.

  11. Ian H Spedding says

    P Z Myers wrote:

    3 Oct: Fargo! I’m going to be giving a talk at the Science, Religion and Lunch seminar at NDSU. That’s going to be in the Meadow Lark Room in the NDSU Memorial Union at noon.

    If they allow any old riff-raff in, I will be there.

  12. John Pexton says

    Ian the more the merrier! It’s open to anyone who is interested in the speaker or the topic under consideration!

    PZ – look forward to meeting you next week!

    PS “The God Delusion” is a wonderful book! Nice of Richard to give you a mention or two in the book :)

  14. Robin Levett says

    Bartholomew said

    The Horniman museum in South London is worth a trip out to: it was assembled by a Victorian merchant and it has a large natural history section – and in true Victorian style, that means splayed-open cats in pickle jars and such.

    And the tape worms – don’t forget the tapeworms…

    I’d second the recommendation, if you’ve got the time. It’s some time since I’ve (been?) drunk in Forest Hill, but I’m sure I remember (vaguely) a couple of decent pubs there; although I see from reviews on the ‘Net that the Malt Shovel has gone downhill.

    Louis – I’m in touch with Larry re Down House – do you want to email me?

  15. Louis says

    Hi Robin,

    I don’t have your email, but I sispect I can find it via T.O. so I’ll drop you a line.

    Cheers

    Louis

  16. Louis says

    P.S. I also suspect I can find you address on T.O.

    It would appear that TYPO the Gawd of Clerical Errors has smitten me once again.

  17. Robin Levett says

    Louis said

    Hi Robin,

    I don’t have your email, but I sispect I can find it via T.O. so I’ll drop you a line.

    Oops – I forgot that while PZ can see the email address, it isn’t shown/accessible on the blog comment.

    The email address in my T.O sig is fine.

    I won’t comment on your typo because otherwise the law of Usenet flams will require me to make oen (or moer).

  19. says

    PZ, do you have any idea when you might make it back to the Seattle area? I know we are in close proximity to the Discovery Institute (“A domain of evil it is.” –Yoda) but it would be great to hear you speak (on any subject). Do you have a mailing list where you announce your upcoming talks?

  20. says

    I am hoping to take a vacation in the Seattle area around June…maybe I’ll see if anyone out there wants me to stop by and say a few words.