Darwin’s legacy: why biology is not physics, or why evolution has not become a common sense1Award Lecture, Genetics Society of Canada P. Moens and W.F. Grant Award of Excellence, 2010. / Conférence du récipiendaire, Prix d’excellence P. Moens et W.F. Grant de la Société de Génétique du Canada, 2010.

Genome ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 868-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama S. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Complex Traits ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
The Other ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
The Public ◽  
College And University ◽  
The Past ◽  
Basic Course ◽  
The Big Bang

Cosmology and evolution together have enabled us to look deep into the past and comprehend evolution—from the big bang to the cosmos, from molecules to humans. Here, I compare the nature of theories in biology and physics and ask why physical theories get accepted by the public without necessarily comprehending them but biological theories do not. Darwin’s theory of natural selection, utterly simple in its premises but profound in its consequences, is not accepted widely. Organized religions, and creationists in particularly, have been the major critic of evolution, but not all opposition to evolution comes from organized religions. A great many people, between evolutionary biologists on one hand and creationists on the other, many academics included, who may not be logically opposed to evolution nevertheless do not accept it. This is because the process of and the evidence for evolution are invisible to a nonspecialist, or the theory may look too simple to explain complex traits to some, or because people compare evolution against God and find evolutionary explanations threatening to their beliefs. Considering how evolution affects our lives, including health and the environment to give just two examples, a basic course in evolution should become a required component of all our college and university educational systems.

Touching the Past to Remember the Past

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-397
Author(s):  
Meghan J. Dudley ◽  
Jenna Domeischel
Keyword(s):  
Social Memory ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Public Archaeology ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Archaeological Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Introductory Article

ABSTRACTAlthough we, as archaeologists, recognize the value in teaching nonprofessionals about our discipline and the knowledge it generates about the human condition, there are few of these specialists compared to the number of archaeologists practicing today. In this introductory article to the special section titled “Touching the Past to Learn the Past,” we suggest that, because of our unique training as anthropologists and archaeologists, each of us has the potential to contribute to public archaeology education. By remembering our archaeological theory, such as social memory, we can use the artifacts we engage with on a daily basis to bridge the disconnect between what the public hopes to gain from our interactions and what we want to teach them. In this article, we outline our perspective and present an overview of the other three articles in this section that apply this approach in their educational endeavors.

scholarly journals Li isotopes in metal-poor halo dwarfs: a more and more complicated story

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S268) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Monique Spite ◽  
François Spite
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
The Other ◽  
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis ◽  
Lithium Abundance ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Li Isotope ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
Early Galaxy

AbstractThe nuclei of the lithium isotopes are fragile, easily destroyed, so that, at variance with most of the other elements, they cannot be formed in stars through steady hydrostatic nucleosynthesis.The 7Li isotope is synthesized during primordial nucleosynthesis in the first minutes after the Big Bang and later by cosmic rays, by novae and in pulsations of AGB stars (possibly also by the ν process). 6Li is mainly formed by cosmic rays. The oldest (most metal-deficient) warm galactic stars should retain the signature of these processes if, (as it had been often expected) lithium is not depleted in these stars. The existence of a “plateau” of the abundance of 7Li (and of its slope) in the warm metal-poor stars is discussed. At very low metallicity ([Fe/H] < −2.7dex) the star to star scatter increases significantly towards low Li abundances. The highest value of the lithium abundance in the early stellar matter of the Galaxy (logϵ(Li) = A(7Li) = 2.2 dex) is much lower than the the value (logϵ(Li) = 2.72) predicted by the standard Big Bang nucleosynthesis, according to the specifications found by the satellite WMAP. After gathering a homogeneous stellar sample, and analysing its behaviour, possible explanations of the disagreement between Big Bang and stellar abundances are discussed (including early astration and diffusion). On the other hand, possibilities of lower productions of 7Li in the standard and/or non-standard Big Bang nucleosyntheses are briefly evoked.A surprisingly high value (A(6Li)=0.8 dex) of the abundance of the 6Li isotope has been found in a few warm metal-poor stars. Such a high abundance of 6Li independent of the mean metallicity in the early Galaxy cannot be easily explained. But are we really observing 6Li?

scholarly journals The Radiation-Dominated Universe in Nonstandard Cosmology

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Scharf ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Evolution Equations ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
The Other ◽  
Spherically Symmetric ◽  
Velocity Perturbation ◽  
Model Universe ◽  
Cosmic Evolution ◽  
Big Crunch ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
Irregular Singular Points

We continue the recent study of our model theory of low-density cosmology without dark matter. We assume a purely radiative spherically symmetric background and treat matter as anisotropic perturbations. Einstein’s equations for the background are solved numerically. We find two irregular singular points, one is the Big Bang and the other a Big Crunch. The radiation temperature continues to decrease for another 0.21 Hubble times and then starts to increase towards infinity. Then we derive the four evolution equations for the anisotropic perturbations. In the Regge- Wheeler gauge there are three metric perturbations and a radial velocity perturbation. The solution of these equations allow a detailed discussion of the cosmic evolution of the model universe under study.

More Reflections

Tempo ◽  
1983 ◽  
pp. 12-14
Author(s):  
Robert Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Big Bang ◽  
The Other ◽  
Central Axis ◽  
Apparent Absence ◽  
Actual Experience ◽  
Gravitational Pull ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
The Universe

Any imaginative hypothesis must be seminal, and Jonathan Harvey's is no exception. As he points out, a number of composers have been fascinated by the idea of harmonic structures radiating above and below a central axis in reflecting intervals. He says ‘from either side’ rather than ‘above and below’, and perhaps advisedly, for as soon as the concept of ‘below’ is permitted, so is that of gravity. The thesis depends on the removal of gravity in what is essentially a placeless, directionless space, without perceptible ups, downs, or sides. Swedenborg's rarified and not altogether realistic ideas come from a mysticism that is unclear about the nature of space. There are relative directions in space; it has dimensions; it is full of energy and radiation; in it gravity is inescapable. A man floating between earth and moon may not be aware of it, but he will drift in one direction or the other, according to which gravitational pull is the stronger. We can estimate at least roughly the distances between the galaxies, and their relative positions, their rates of movement away from each other if they do not belong to the same group. If the theory that in music the bass has moved to the middle refers to the apparent absence of an absolute bottom to the universe, it can be regarded as at least plausible, though without much basis in actual experience, and scarcely susceptible to proof. Where is this axis from which things radiate? It is not, presumably, a fixed and all too audible persistent internal pedal. No doubt it was there at the beginning, like the Big Bang, to be afterwards detected only by means of some residual musical radiation. It becomes an imaginary, or remembered, point.

scholarly journals Dark Matter in the Universe

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 27-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera C. Rubin
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Deceleration Parameter ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Theoretical Cosmology ◽  
Observational Cosmology ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Expansion Of The Universe ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
The Universe

Thirty years ago, observational cosmology consisted of the search for two numbers: Ho, the rate of expansion of the universe at the position of the Galaxy; and qo, the deceleration parameter. Twenty years ago, the discovery of the relic radiation from the Big Bang produced another number, 3oK. But it is the past decade which has seen the enormous development in both observational and theoretical cosmology. The universe is known to be immeasurably richer and more varied than we had thought. There is growing acceptance of a universe in which most of the matter is not luminous. Nature has played a trick on astronomers, for we thought we were studying the universe. We now know that we were studying only the small fraction of it that is luminous. I suspect that this talk this evening is the first IAU Discourse devoted to something that astronomers cannot see at any wavelength: Dark Matter in the Universe.

High energy neutrino sources

1994 ◽  
Vol 346 (1678) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Cosmic Strings ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
Bright Phase

High energy cosmic neutrinos can be produced by protons and nuclei accelerated in cosmic sources (‘acceleration neutrinos) as well as by relic Big Bang particles, cosmic strings, etc. (neutrinos of non-acceleration origin). The most promising ‘acceleration’ sources of neutrinos are supernovae in our Galaxy and active galactic nuclei (AGN). Detectable diffuse fluxes of ‘ acceleration ’ neutrinos can be produced by AGN and during the ‘bright phase’ of galaxy evolution. During the past few years it has been realized that the detectable flux of high energy neutrinos can be also produced by the relic Big Bang particles. The possible sources are annihilation of the neutralinos accumulated inside the Earth and the Sun, decay of neutralinos (due to the weak breaking of R-parity), and the decay of exotic long-lived particles from the Big Bang.

What have Reconstructed Roundhouses Ever Done for Us..?

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 97-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Townend
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Vernacular Architecture ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
The One

The reconstructed roundhouse is everywhere: on the television, in the literature, in the landscape. It has powerful currency in both the public and academic understandings of the vernacular architecture of later British prehistory, in particular for the Iron Age. However, because the focus of these reconstructions is normally on technologies and engineering principles on the one hand, or on the experience of their occupation on the other, the roundhouse reconstruction — even after more than 30 years research around them — in fact currently tells us remarkably little about the past and a great deal about who we understand ourselves to be. This paper will explore what insight roundhouse reconstructions currently do and do not give into later British prehistory and what they may be able to indicate if the act of building is taken as a theme over the technologies of their construction or the experience of their space.

scholarly journals QUARK MATTER AND NUCLEAR COLLISIONS A BRIEF HISTORY OF STRONG INTERACTION THERMODYNAMICS

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (08) ◽  
pp. 1230006 ◽  
Author(s):  
HELMUT SATZ
Keyword(s):  
High Energy ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Nuclear Collision ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Extreme Temperatures ◽  
Nuclear Collisions ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
Theory And Experiment

The past 50 years have seen the emergence of a new field of research in physics, the study of matter at extreme temperatures and densities. The theory of strong interactions, quantum chromodynamics (QCD), predicts that in this limit, matter will become a plasma of deconfined quarks and gluons — the medium which made up the early universe in the first 10 microseconds after the Big Bang. High energy nuclear collisions are expected to produce short-lived bubbles of such a medium in the laboratory. I survey the merger of statistical QCD and nuclear collision studies for the analysis of strongly interacting matter in theory and experiment.

scholarly journals Whither Neurotheology?

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
W. R. Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
The Other ◽  
Religious Perspectives ◽  
Areas Of Concern ◽  
Theories Of Evolution ◽  
The One ◽  
The Big Bang

Human culture has modernized at a much faster pace than has theology and religion. We are at the point where many moderns apparently think that religion is losing relevance. Satisfying the need for relevance and ecumenical harmony requires more reasoned and mature approaches to religion. Science is one of those secular activities that seems to undermine religious faith for many people. Unlike the sciences that give us the Big Bang, relativity, quantum mechanics, and theories of evolution, neuroscience is the one science that applies in everyday life toward developing a faith that promotes nurturing of self and others. Modern neuroscience and the mental health understanding that it creates can contribute to satisfying this need. Neuroscience and religion have numerous shared areas of concern, and each worldview can and should inform and enrich the other. Neuroscience may help us understand why we believe certain religious ideas and not others. It helps to explain our behavior and might even help us live more righteous and fulfilled lives. Religion can show neuroscientists areas of religious debate that scientific research might help resolve. New educational initiatives at all levels (secondary, seminary, and secular college) can provide a way to integrate neuroscience and religion and lead to religious perspectives that are more reasoned, mature, satisfying, and beneficial at both individual and social levels. Neurotheology is an emerging academic discipline that seems to focus on integrating neuroscience and theology. About only 10 years old, neurotheology has not yet consolidated its definition, ideology, purpose, or scholarly or applied strategies. Acceptance by the scholarly community is problematic. This manuscript raises the question of whether neurotheology will survive as a viable discipline and, if so, what form that could take.

scholarly journals Nuclear Constraints on the Age of the Universe

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 241-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
David N. Schramm
Keyword(s):  
Cosmological Constant ◽  
Nuclear Physics ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
The Other ◽  
Single Measurement ◽  
Age Of The Universe ◽  
The Big Bang ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Fair Degree

In this paper a review will be made of how one can use nuclear physics to put rather stringent limits on the age of the universe and thus the cosmic distance scale. As the other papers in this session have demonstrated there is some disagreement on the distance scale and thus the limits on the age of the universe (if the cosmological constant Λ = 0.) However, the disagreement is only over the last factor of 2, the basic timescale seems to really be remarkably well agreed upon. The universe is billions of years old - not thousands, not quintillions but billions of years. That our universe has a finite age is philosophically intriguing. That we can estimate that age to a fair degree of accuracy is truly impressive.No single measurement of the time since the Big Bang gives a specific, unambiguous age. Fortunately, we have at our disposal several methods that together fix the age with surprising precision.

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