Pigliucci Engages from Lecturn and Across Brunch Table

by Michael Dorian

Massimo Pigliucci shoots straight, pulls no punches, and isn't afraid to take on weighty issues. That was made delightfully obvious during not only Pigliucci's informative and highly entertaining slide-show presentation but also at the afternoon brunch following the engaging talk by the SUNY Stonybrook Professor of Ecology, Evolution, and Philosophy.

Professor Pigliucci entertains and enlightens.

A near-capacity crowd was in attendance Saturday April 5th at the University Settlement on Eldridge Street for Pigliucci's new lecture, "Of Paradigm Shifts and Objectivity in Science." In elucidating some of the less auspicious moments in Science's colorful history, Pigliucci brought a thoughtful, easy style punctuated by insightful and humorous observations. Complete with PowerPoint accompaniment, Massimo regaled the audience with the story of the spat between Charles Darwin and Lord Kelvin over the Earth's age, Science's unfortunate foray into eugenics, and "The Sokol Affair," which was a brilliant hoax on Postmodernism perpetrated by Alan Sokol in the publication Social Text.

Willing "guinea pigs."

Being on the side of rationality and good science, Pigliucci made sure to point out that Science is not always correct. He explained that good science relies significantly upon proving new theories (though that often means disproving older and accepted ones), stringent and honest peer review, and upon a methodology that strives for objectivity.

It was Massimo's first time giving this particular lecture, so he made sure to inform us at the outset that we were his "guinea pigs." It was a thoroughly painless experiment carried out on willing subjects. After the talk, a group of at least 20 sidled over to a nearby French bistro for some drinks and light fare. Massimo joined us and we found ourselves in truly stimulating conversation about all manner of topics from the morality of drawing qualitative distinctions between human and non-human animals to how Massimo declared his atheism as a 12-year-old to his Italian Roman-Catholic mother, who even to this day is not thrilled with her son's decision.

All in all, it was a splendid afternoon of smart and scintillating ideas hosted by the ever-thoughtful, ever-logical, and ever-hospitable NYC Skeptics.

NYC Skeptics president Michael Feldman enjoys the presentation.

Photos: Dale Langdon

admin's blog
Login or register to post comments

Submitted by admin on April 12, 2008 - 6:56am.

viagra online , cheap viagra

viagra online , cheap viagra , buy cialis ,

andy776 | July 29, 2010 - 8:57am

When one mentions the word

When one mentions the word canopy replica balenciaga , images of royalty and great affluence dance in many people's minds. Today these replica handbags are becoming more and more popular with the "common man" and finding their ways into the replica burberry handbags of many homeowners.A canopy bed has the power to transform your dolce gabbana bags into something magical and create an air of cartier replica handbags and bottega veneta bags. This is why these coach replica handbags are so beloved by their owners and bragged about in such glowing terms.The original purpose of a canopy fendi spy handbags was to create a sense of privacy for its ownerversace bags. Many of these handbags tods were draped with curtains that helped help to reduce noise, block out unwanted light and retain heat. However, today canopy thomas wylde skull bag come in many various styles and designs, but fit into one of two categories hermes replica , traditional or contemporary.These celine bags were not only built for privacy, but also to help keep out unwanted visitors as well. Canopy miu Miu replica helped to protect their owners from creeping mice and other rodents as well as flying insects. In fact, it was almost a necessity to have a canopy mulberry bags if one hoped to get a restful night's sleep in the Middle Ages thomas wylde skull bag . In fact, this is a major reason why canopy designer Handbags are still a big necessity in other versace handbags of the world today.Now in places such as North America, canopy loewe replica have became bally bags more a symbol of style and prada replica , than an actual necessity. Which is why they are so popular among homeowners wishing to add a touch of elegance to their celine replica handbags.The most common coach replica handbags today include the four poster canopy, the replica dooney and bourke and the half crown. While each of these styles create their own unique ambiance, it truly does come down to each individual's preferences when selecting the canopy replica chloe handbags they desire. Also, the more detailed and ornate style you want, the higher the price will rise.Depending on your tastes and obviously the size of your replica gucci handbags, there is a canopy authentic fendi handbags that will suit almost anyone's tastes. While buying a canopy bed can be a daring endeavor, it will help to make a statement in your hermes handbags that will not soon be forgotten by those who lay eyes on replica cartier handbags!

replica handbags | July 29, 2010 - 3:14am

UZMzefA Viagra >:-[ Cialis

UZMzefA Viagra >:-[ Cialis >:-OOO

tNdDmw | July 28, 2010 - 3:21pm

viagra , cheap cialis ,

viagra , cheap cialis , viagra ,

andy776 | July 28, 2010 - 9:36am

ONpLQA Buy Viagra DXUeWE

ONpLQA Buy Viagra DXUeWE Cheap Cialis >:]]

tNdDmw | July 28, 2010 - 9:08am

vibram shoes vibram

vibram shoes
vibram fivefingers
vibram five
vibram fingers
fivefinger
fivefingers vibram
five fingers vibram
vibram kso
vibram health
health shoes
Vibram five fingers Kso
Vibram five fingers Classic
Vibram five fingers Kso Trek
Vibram five fingers Sprint
Vibram Fivefingers Men's Classic Black
Vibram Fivefingers Men's KSO Black
Vibram five fingers Men's Kso Trek Brown
Vibram Fivefingers Men's Sprint Blue/ Light Gray
Vibram Fivefingers Women's Classic Pink/White

vickey072 | July 28, 2010 - 5:57am

wzDCkppQ Viagra IFAiUO Cheap

wzDCkppQ Viagra IFAiUO Cheap Cialis =-]

tNdDmw | July 27, 2010 - 1:59pm

viagra , cialis , cheap

viagra , cialis , cheap cialis ,

andy776 | July 27, 2010 - 9:43am

AnKTemRx Viagra uIOjPx

AnKTemRx Viagra uIOjPx Cialis lLzQwF

tNdDmw | July 27, 2010 - 7:36am

wptDAaw Cheap Cialis :-O Buy

wptDAaw Cheap Cialis :-O Buy Viagra online >:]] Phentermine 4825

tNdDmw | July 26, 2010 - 5:21pm

iKRGKFQP Cialis %-[[[ Buy

iKRGKFQP Cialis %-[[[ Buy Viagra online 8]]] Phentermine pFTfE

tNdDmw | July 26, 2010 - 10:37am

cialis , cheap viagra ,

cialis , cheap viagra , cheap cialis , cheap cialis ,

andy776 | July 26, 2010 - 6:29am

VeMqCKt Cheap Cialis 4883

VeMqCKt Cheap Cialis 4883 Cheap viagra tuaVA Ambien iIYKyj

tNdDmw | July 25, 2010 - 2:10pm

aauYQQFr Buy Cialis Online

aauYQQFr Buy Cialis Online %-[[[ Viagra jzzSgY Ambien 0552

tNdDmw | July 25, 2010 - 7:49am

EinfUl Cialis nMOQp Buy

EinfUl Cialis nMOQp Buy Viagra fOimM Valium online 2366

tNdDmw | July 23, 2010 - 8:48pm

cGMZcA Cheap Cialis 8789

cGMZcA Cheap Cialis 8789 Viagra 0502 Buy Tramadol >:-[

tNdDmw | July 19, 2010 - 5:05pm

SWiBLW Cheap Cialis >:]]

SWiBLW Cheap Cialis >:]] Viagra >:]] Tramadol >:-OOO

tNdDmw | July 19, 2010 - 12:35pm

cheap cialis , viagra ,

andy776 | July 19, 2010 - 5:46am

cialis , buy cialis ,

andy776 | July 17, 2010 - 8:09am

MBT Shoes for Masai Barefoot

MBT Shoes for Masai Barefoot Technology.The MBT company that makes these shoes is Swiss Masai.The uniquely-designed,multi-layered,cured sole is designed to simulate walking in sand,such as mbt baridi,mbt kimondo,mbt sapatu and so on.mbt unono creates a natural,uneven walking surface and forces the body to use all the major and stabilsing muscle groups,thus training the whole body to move correctly.In this special summer,our online stroe hot in MBT Shoes clearance,you will choose such mbt salama or mbt kisumu.

seosearch | July 16, 2010 - 9:22pm

PiuIAgT Phentermine online

PiuIAgT Phentermine online =-] Buy Ambien >:]] Valium 4812 Cialis 2713 Viagra 0290 Xanax online yQgaKN

tNdDmw | July 16, 2010 - 3:48pm

MIkPuGbg Buy Valium doTGK

MIkPuGbg Buy Valium doTGK Buy Xanax NlPGj Phentermine asgjQ Viagra :-O Ambien fmyOuQ Cheap Cialis 9942

tNdDmw | July 16, 2010 - 11:38am

ed hardy a famous ed hardy

ed hardy a famous ed hardy store which sell directly ed hardy clothing, shoes, boots, swim suit and other cheap ed hardy
Ed Hardy Store
cheap Ed Hardy
ed hardy clothing,Providing authentic Ed Hardy Clothing with competitive price and fast,secure delivery.The famous brand by Don Ed Hardy 's Vintage
Ed Hardy
Ed Hardy
Provide high quality silver Tiffany jewellery including necklaces,rings and other style jewelry at wholesale prices.Pick your dreaming
Tiffany jewellery
Tiffany Stores is the best online United Kingdom jewelry stores where you can buy the cheapest Tiffany & Co silver jewelry.
Our huge selection of Tiffany
Tiffany & Co Rings
Tiffany & Co Earrings

kingso | July 16, 2010 - 11:01am

i believe you are a good

i believe you are a good writer, but have you erver thought to write some special artcals for peopel who likes shopping very much. for exaple, the artical aboutlouis vuitton handbags orvibram fivefingers,ghd orchristian louboutin,ugg bootsand
swiss watches as well asmichael jordan shoes chi hair straightener,nfl football apparel,
t shirts. i think more and more people would comr to read your blogs.

hedan | July 15, 2010 - 11:41pm

YttixK Cheap Cialis fhDQfz

YttixK Cheap Cialis fhDQfz Buy Viagra %-[[[ Buy Phentermine OPhqp

tNdDmw | July 15, 2010 - 3:20pm

swoRTWO Cialis =-] Cheap

swoRTWO Cialis =-] Cheap viagra eHYpxW Buy Phentermine >:-OOO

tNdDmw | July 15, 2010 - 10:34am

cialis , viagra , viagra ,

andy776 | July 15, 2010 - 9:43am

buy viagra , cialis , cheap

buy viagra , cialis , cheap viagra ,

andy776 | July 14, 2010 - 8:51am

sVvWRr Buy Cialis 2230 Buy

sVvWRr Buy Cialis 2230 Buy Viagra online 0441 Ambien TLwamd Valium :-O Cheap Phentermine >:-[ Xanax kuZpZ

tNdDmw | July 13, 2010 - 12:48pm

PkWSmEeS Xanax >:-OOO

PkWSmEeS Xanax >:-OOO Phentermine online 4302 Buy Viagra online 3473 Cialis 9783 Cheap Ambien JXigCk Valium vxIrt

tNdDmw | July 13, 2010 - 9:05am

cheap viagra , cheap cialis

cheap viagra , cheap cialis ,

andy776 | July 12, 2010 - 7:08am

The MBT shoes which saled on

The MBT shoes which saled on our shop may be your best choice for long and you can buy mbt sandals, their shoes British high quality and good design should be highly appreciated. Now, MBT sales very hot.For example,mbt staka,mbt lami shoes,mbt sport shoes,mbt habari. MBT sneakers may help in the treatment of other health problems caused by error posture shoes marseille MBT barefoot technology, means that these shoes are used to simulate and barefoot experience. By activating the neglect of muscle, can improve posture and MBT shoes, relieve pressure gait feet, promote metabolism and burn calories to some extent, they are used to reduce weight, MBT fumba shoes can provide training and treatment of muscle damage. In addition, MBT eam shoes also is good for you. In the shop, we buy MBT shoes will provide you the best service. Now,mbt shoes clearance on mbtstore.org,welcome to choose you loving!

answer | July 12, 2010 - 3:55am

i believe you are a good

i believe you are a good writer, but have you erver thought to write some special artcals for peopel who likes shopping very much. for exaple, the artical aboutlouis vuitton bags orvibram five finger,ghds orchristian louboutin boots,discount uggs bootsand
replica swiss watches as well ascheap jordan shoes chi straightening irons,nfl apparel,
t shirts. i think more and more people would comr to read your blogs.

hdzyhd | July 12, 2010 - 12:02am

vibram fivefingers classic
vibram five fingers classic
fivefingers classic
vibram fivefingers flow
vibram five fingers flow
fivefingers flow
vibram fivefingers sprint
vibram five fingers sprint
fivefingers sprint
vibram fivefingers kso
vibram five fingers kso
fivefingers kso
vibram fivefinger womens
vibram kso women
vibram sprint womens

hdzyhd | July 10, 2010 - 2:59am

jordan shoes | July 8, 2010 - 4:04am

Welcome to LOuis VUittoN online sale! Our shop provides quality Louis VUitton bags, handbags wallets, purses on sale prices and big discount.

Buy cheap authentic louis vuitton outlet,louis vuitton wallet,louis vuitton luggage,louis vuitton replica at discount louis vuitton store.

nycsxs | July 5, 2010 - 9:00pm