What is the Value of Peaceful Science?

[Art (Arthur Hunt)]

I wandered by this forum when I discovered that there had been some (brief) discussion of one of my Panda’s Thumb essays awhile ago, and that there may be a chance to engage some people from the Discovery institute (and maybe wrap up one or two loose ends).

While this doesn’t seem too likely at the moment, in the meantime I have discovered an interesting community. One of the things I do in my day job is interact with people at undergraduate-focused schools, helping to bring genomics and bioinformatics into the class and lab. (See this consortium and this new program.) One community that seems to be (mostly) missing from these efforts is schools with a decidedly religious (Christian) emphasis. I have met a few people from such schools here, and I am hoping to learn how I can generate some interest amongst these people in undergraduate genomics and bioinformatics education. I don’t have a plan yet, other than to pick Joshua’s brain from time to time. But I figure just meeting some people is a good place to start.

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

@patrick, this remains among my favorite quotes from the whole forum.

@Patrick

I am still hoping you’ll write a post for me about why, as an Atheist, you are part of our community.

When I figure out the 'why", I will write it. The initial “why” was what I would call “reconnaissance and surveillance”. That mission was completed. Now I don’t know why I am part of the community. Perhaps I have gone “native” in some sense. I haven’t changed my views, but I do care that the community is successful in achieving its goals.

And I outline your story, which would still be really entertaining to pull together sometime too.

@swamidass

This is your story.

1. You heard about me because of the Venema-Buggs-Swamidass exchange.
2. You were sent to investigate me and out me if I was doing bad science.
3. You found I was doing legitimate work.
4. Task done you found yourself staying because you were enjoying talking about the science.
5. You found common values and common ground with us.

What are those values? You’ve seen the reason for bombastic voices like Dawkins and Hitchens in the past, when atheists were in the closet. Now however, you see a real need for peace seeking. You want what we are doing here to work.

It seems, also, for all your bombastic playfulness…

@Patrick

I think what you are seeing @Patrick is that peacemaking can unsettle the current deadlock. It is a very potent force, much stronger than sarcasm and ridicule.

Yes, I can see the usefulness of the peacemaker now, at this time. I am from the time when atheist were in-the-closet" and silent. It was Dawkins and Hitchens who gave us our voices. Their sharp militant sarcasm and ridicule was needed at the time to equal the playing field. Now that there are more voices like Coyne, Dennett, and a lot of others not afraid to speak out, a softer humanistic approach can be useful. Although I still want to have the FFRF constitutional lawyers to put the fear of litigation into any anti-science initiative anyone might try to start.

I think you are hitting it right on the head here.

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

Thanks @rogero for writing up a summary of this: Our Front Porch.