Comments on: Silos: my beef with Freeman Dyson

By: Ash

Ash — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:25:13 +0000

Nice post, but I think you misunderstand Dyson. I think what he simply means is that the belief that we are stewards of the earth and are supposed to protect it may be a laudable belief, but is it really based on science? Does science objectively tell us that this is what we should do?

The problem is that the basic creed of environmentalism is based on values, not science. Science is of course marshaled in favor of or against these values but that does not make the values themselves science-based. I think this kind of value-based writing which does not derive from science is what Dyson refers to as “nature writing” and I think he is right. You are right that there is no unbreachable demarcation between science and environmentalism, but there are indeed several environmental writers who pitch their writing as value-based rather than science-based. (For the record I don’t agree with everything Dyson says and I also had the pleasure of having a relaxed one-on-one lunch with him at his Institute during which he reaffirmed what I stated here)

By: Tommy Mason

Tommy Mason — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:46:29 +0000

Another lovely, thoughtful post. Dyson’s pronouncements can be frustrating, yet I still recall his book “Disturbing the Universe” with great fondness (and not a little irony), particularly since it struck me as the work of someone who, at least early in his career, resisted silos and seemed to appreciate art and the poetry of life as much as science.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:43:58 +0000

I feel so shy about commenting but I’m coming out of Perpetual Lurkerdom to say how profound and beautiful this post is. I admire your melding of ideas and disciplines. Thanks for writing and sharing.
Julie Webb

By: Peg O'Brien

Peg O'Brien — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:32:45 +0000

Thank you Heather for this wonderful blog. Sophisticated listening and open-minded appreciation are good partners for critical thinking. The latter, left alone, is very lonely. Best wishes, Peg

By: Dennis Fagan

Dennis Fagan — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:15:22 +0000

Permeable boundaries can be helpful (and a worthy topic.)

I like cucumber on my peanut butter and jelly but most observers seem to defend the boundary on this, as well.. I say, let freedom ring.

Thanks for another great blog.