I just wanted to write a brief note on the Origins Symposium at Arizona State University yesterday.
First, ASU in the spring time is nice. If you don’t beleive me, check it out:
Anyway, the goal of the Origins Symposium was to bring together some of the most famous and cutting edge scientists, and have them discuss life, how it began, its place in the cosmos, etc… It was really amazing and I hope they do it again.
I did not know that my friend’s children were deprived until I found out Lucy Hawking writes books for kids. How great is that! Lucy is the daughter of Stephen Hawking, who wrote “A Brief History of Time,” and who must have a sense of humor, because the book was actually a history of the universe since the Big Bang. I think it’s wonderful that Lucy is bringing Stephen’s theories to children’s level. It was also great to hear both of them speak.
The whole day was really great, and more importantly, it reminded me that we have a scientific community here. I just read “Escape” by Carolyn Jessop, which is about a part of Arizona where they burn books.
So Arizona is a contradiction. We have very smart people who live and work here at ASU, and then we have Colorado City (where “Escape” takes place) and many who are only slightly more advanced.
JD's Blog 
hey,
its been a while since i got around to this, so let me catch up. cucumber kamakazies. i would not have tried that on my own. i like kamakazies, i like cucumbers, but the marriage of the two has never presented itself to me. i may be persuaded to try though.
i am deeply saddened that the natural bridge is closed. i was there about a few years ago, it is really cool. i got some decent shots of it, i think. i will have to send them your way.
i never knew stephen hawking had kids. i will have to check that out.
for the record, i have said this before to rob and the guys at asu, as a catholic and stuff i do not vouch for idiots like the people in “escape” if they are indeed as bad as the book says. there are some christians who are bright people though, dont let that book color your opinion. and if you need examples of idiots on the other side of the fence, the world is replete with them. however, i will refrain unless asked to provide them at this time, since i was admonished to avoid too much negative dialogue from the aforementioned rob. i dont know why. i think its fun to wax political and religious with people who have different world views, especially ones who are intellegent and well read on their subjects. as long as it is somewhat respectfull at least. but hey, thats just me.
kevin
People can be contradictions too. The symposium sounds like it was great. If it comes around again let me know.
That is so cool that you saw Lucy Hawking speak. Can you imagine growing up in that house? Did she talk about that at all or just her book?
I feel like the area I grew up in has contradictions like that too. The progressive educated right beside the painfully outdated. I think the area where they interact can be interesting and dynamic.