Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Baloo · 09-17-2002, 06:36 AM

will be at my grad school, Washington University, tomorrow, at 4:30. The only class I am taking meets twice a week: Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 - 6:00.

It looked particularly interesting because the presenter, Barbara Schaal, is doing evolutionary research with very real applicability to the well being of the rest of humanity. Specifically,

Quote:

Schaal's recent work is a collaboration with students and peers to research the evolutionary genetics of plants in hopes of enriching crops such a cassava, the sixth most important food crop in the world, and rice.

Read more <a href="http://dbbs.wustl.edu/rib/Schaal.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://news-info.wustl.edu/News/2002/kornfeld_schaal.html" target="_blank">here</a>.

So, the overriding question becomes: to attend class, or not to attend?

On the off, off chance that anyone is in the St. Louis, Missouri, area:

Quote:

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 18, in Room 300 of the Laboratory Science Building, the new building located just north of Graham Chapel on the Washington University campus.

Oh, and vanderzyden: if you can't attend, should I ask the presenter whether or not investigation into evolutionary theory has any real-world value?

Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ · 09-17-2002, 06:47 AM

Skip class. Tell the prof you have a good excuse. They might not buy it, but its worth the shot.

On a side note, my grandparents live 5 blocks from Wash U. If only I went to school there...

theyeti · 09-17-2002, 06:47 AM

If it were me, I'd skip class. But do keep in mind that any seminar given to graduates is going to be technical. Even at seminars that deal with topics that I'm interested in, I have a tendancy to fall asleep unless the presenter is a really good speaker.

theyeti

pz · 09-17-2002, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baloo:
So, the overriding question becomes: to attend class, or not to attend?

Speaking as a college professor here, I will say quite plainly: do not skip class. It's bad, mmm-kay? Every word we speak is golden, and will be on the test.

Speaking as a biologist, though...yeah, blow off that class (especially if it's not a science class) and go learn something.

Valentine Pontifex · 09-17-2002, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pz:


Speaking as a college professor here, I will say quite plainly: do not skip class. It's bad, mmm-kay? Every word we speak is golden, and will be on the test.

Speaking as a biologist, though...yeah, blow off that class (especially if it's not a science class) and go learn something.

Go not to PZ for councel, for he will say both no and yes.

My apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien...

pz · 09-17-2002, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Valentine Pontifex:


Go not to PZ for counsel, for he will say both no and yes.

PZ seldom gives unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill...

...especially the ones that conflict with scheduled seminars.

The Lone Ranger · 09-17-2002, 03:42 PM

Do not meddle in the affairs of biologists, for they are subtle, and quick to anger.

Baloo · 09-18-2002, 03:35 AM

For what it's worth, I've come to a decision. After reading the material assigned for Wednesday's (today's) lecture, I realized there was no way in hell I could skip the class w/o falling pretty far behind in comprehension. So, sadly, I will not be attending the seminar.

Furthermore, who knows if I'll ever get a chance to see such a seminar again (given the outside chance that somebody, recognizing that there can be no real-world usefulness for a theory with so little evidential support, will blow the lid off of this scandalous grant-money-mongering conspiracy which seems to pretend that the theory of evolution might help increase the worldwide food supply).

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: Baloo ]

09-18-2002, 03:35 AM	#8
Baloo Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 417	For what it's worth, I've come to a decision. After reading the material assigned for Wednesday's (today's) lecture, I realized there was no way in hell I could skip the class w/o falling pretty far behind in comprehension. So, sadly, I will not be attending the seminar. Furthermore, who knows if I'll ever get a chance to see such a seminar again (given the outside chance that somebody, recognizing that there can be no real-world usefulness for a theory with so little evidential support, will blow the lid off of this scandalous grant-money-mongering conspiracy which seems to pretend that the theory of evolution might help increase the worldwide food supply). [ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: Baloo ]</p>

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09-17-2002, 06:47 AM	#2
Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Heaven Posts: 6,980	Skip class. Tell the prof you have a good excuse. They might not buy it, but its worth the shot. On a side note, my grandparents live 5 blocks from Wash U. If only I went to school there...

09-17-2002, 06:47 AM	#3
theyeti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 9,747	If it were me, I'd skip class. But do keep in mind that any seminar given to graduates is going to be technical. Even at seminars that deal with topics that I'm interested in, I have a tendancy to fall asleep unless the presenter is a really good speaker. theyeti

09-17-2002, 03:42 PM	#7
The Lone Ranger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Eastern U.S. Posts: 1,230	Do not meddle in the affairs of biologists, for they are subtle, and quick to anger.

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