TheU2
Refugee
So, I was vacationing on the cape when I came along the obit for Stephen Gould, the famed Harvard professor. God, what an amazing guy. I wish that this cancer thing would be more discriminating. To take a guy like this....argh.
I'll give a quick synopsis of his life. He's a Columbia educated paleontologist who began his career at Harvard and never left. Did amazing, groundbreaking research that ultimately led to his (along with Eldredge of Museum of Natural History fame) famous theory of "punctuated equilibrium". Punctuated equilibrium basically states that evolution happens in spurts with long gaps of time where nothing happens. Anyway, this theory contradicted with what was normally understood.
He wrote and published many books that helped explain complex scientific theories to the common man (me included). His writings culminated in "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" which is a 1,500 page monstrasity that was the result of 20 years work.
On top of that, he was a huge yankee fan. That proves that no one is perfect.
Anyways, here is a link to the Harvard Gazette article that sums up his life and contributions.
Gould
As I was driving home from the upstate, I was listening to Public Radio. Its 90.3 in capital land and 93.9 in Metro NY land. On "All things considered," they were interviewing this physician who went to Harvard undergrad and medical schools.
This guy got involved in a project/independent study where he would meet with Gould every week and discuss and interpret Bach's music. The physician met with Gould every week for one hour for 3 full years. I wonder if this guy knew how lucky he was to have access to this brain for one hour a week for such a long time.
Anways, go back to your silly ways.
CK
I'll give a quick synopsis of his life. He's a Columbia educated paleontologist who began his career at Harvard and never left. Did amazing, groundbreaking research that ultimately led to his (along with Eldredge of Museum of Natural History fame) famous theory of "punctuated equilibrium". Punctuated equilibrium basically states that evolution happens in spurts with long gaps of time where nothing happens. Anyway, this theory contradicted with what was normally understood.
He wrote and published many books that helped explain complex scientific theories to the common man (me included). His writings culminated in "The Structure of Evolutionary Theory" which is a 1,500 page monstrasity that was the result of 20 years work.
On top of that, he was a huge yankee fan. That proves that no one is perfect.
Anyways, here is a link to the Harvard Gazette article that sums up his life and contributions.
Gould
As I was driving home from the upstate, I was listening to Public Radio. Its 90.3 in capital land and 93.9 in Metro NY land. On "All things considered," they were interviewing this physician who went to Harvard undergrad and medical schools.
This guy got involved in a project/independent study where he would meet with Gould every week and discuss and interpret Bach's music. The physician met with Gould every week for one hour for 3 full years. I wonder if this guy knew how lucky he was to have access to this brain for one hour a week for such a long time.
Anways, go back to your silly ways.
CK
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