WorshipNothing

Hello,
I've been a lurker on these boards for some time, but now I could use some help. I'm doing a speech for my intro speech class about science. It is only a 5 minute speech, and it is supposed to be inspirational or celebratory of a person, idea, or institution. I was hoping to do something celebrating science and trying to get across what Richard Dawkins did in Unweaving the Rainbow about how science is actually poetic and beautiful instead of cold and bleak like a lot of people think. I know this will be quite a challenge since I only have 5 minutes in which to do it.

The one rule I have to follow is that I must choose 3 characteristics/traits of whatever I'm talking about and elaborate on them. So I was thinking I could go along w/the Unweaving the Rainbow theme and choose things like poetic, beautiful etc. But I don't want to come off sounding cheesy or cliche! Any ideas?

(And BTW, I'm in the midwest USA if that makes any difference :huh

dalehileman

The wonder of contemplating Nature/Science offers some the encouragement others gain from religion. If you have the opportunity, read Varieties of Religious Experience by William James

The three characteristics/traits however, are up to you, good luck

I'm from the Midwest too if that makes a difference

robto

This isn't what you asked for, but you could start by quoting Walt Whitman:

When I heard the learn'd astronomer;
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me;
When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and
measure them;
When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much
applause in the lecture-room,
How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;
Till rising and gliding out, I wander'd off by myself,
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,
Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars.

and then going on to explain just how badly wrong WW got it.