Category Archives: The Evidentialism Files

The Earth Was on The Other Side of The Galaxy When Dinosaurs Roamed.


That dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago is pretty common knowledge. Not as well known, but just as fascinating, is the fact that Earth was on the other side of the galaxy when most of them were alive. It takes the sun (and thus the rest of the solar system) around 250 million years to orbit the center of the Milky Way. The first dinosaurs appeared at the dawn of the Triassic Period around 250 million years ago, and for most of their very long reign — namely the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods — our humble planet was in a completely different neighborhood of the galaxy. That means, of course, that the stars the dinosaurs saw in the sky would have looked different from the view we have today.

Though not new information, this knowledge made something of a splash a few years ago when NASA astronomer Dr. Jessie Christiansen created an animation showing which part of the Milky Way our prehistoric predecessors resided in. Perhaps the most intriguing part of the video is its ending, which asks what our planet might be like the next time we complete a trip through the Milky Way. Fortunately, our solar system stays far, far away from the inhospitable galactic center(and its supermassive black hole) as it moves through space. If it didn’t, there’d be no life on Earth whatsoever — human, dinosaur, or otherwise.

Open Letter from Christopher Hitchens’ Heavenly Ghost


Dear Earthbound,

It is often said that faith is a necessary component of the human condition, a crutch upon which we lean in times of uncertainty and despair. But I contend that there is a faith far greater than the ephemeral and often contradictory dogmas that populate the world’s religions—a faith that is not only rational but verifiable. This faith is found in the realms of science and mathematics.

Unlike the parochial and divisive doctrines that demand blind allegiance, science and mathematics offer a universal language, one that transcends culture, ethnicity, and creed. They are the great equalizers, providing a framework through which we can understand the cosmos and our place within it. They are not based on the shifting sands of myth and superstition but on the bedrock of empirical evidence and logical deduction.

Consider the elegance of a mathematical proof or the predictive power of a scientific theory. These are not mere conjectures or the fanciful imaginings of the human mind; they are the distilled essence of centuries of human inquiry and observation. They are the culmination of countless hours of rigorous experimentation and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. In science and mathematics, we find a faith that is earned through toil and scrutiny, not one that is inherited or imposed.

Moreover, this faith is self-correcting. Unlike religious dogmas that resist change and cling to outdated notions, science and mathematics are inherently progressive. They embrace new evidence and are willing to revise their conclusions in light of new data. This is not a weakness but a strength, a testament to their commitment to truth over tradition.

In the natural world, we see the manifestation of this faith in the laws that govern the universe. From the intricate dance of subatomic particles to the majestic expansion of galaxies, the principles of science and mathematics are the threads that weave the tapestry of our reality. They reveal a cosmos that is not chaotic or capricious but ordered and comprehensible.

Yet, this faith does not demand uncritical acceptance. It encourages skepticism and rewards curiosity. It invites us to question, to probe, to seek out the unknown. It is a faith that empowers rather than enslaves, that illuminates rather than obscures.

In embracing science and mathematics, we do not abandon the search for meaning or the quest for transcendence. On the contrary, we elevate it. We find a deeper, more profound sense of wonder in the intricate patterns and profound mysteries of the universe. We glimpse the infinite within the finite, the eternal within the ephemeral.

So let us cast aside the shackles of dogma and superstition and embrace the one true faith that offers not only answers, but the tools to seek them. Let us find solace not in the unchanging edicts of ancient texts but in the dynamic, ever-evolving pursuit of knowledge. For in science and mathematics, we find a faith worthy of our devotion, one that enriches our understanding and ennobles our spirit.

Yours in reason and inquiry,

Hitch

p.s. Good luck finding a smoke here.