RESPECTFUL INSOLENCE

"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." The miscellaneous ramblings of a surgeon/scientist on medicine, quackery, science, and pseudoscience (and anything else that interests him).

Evolution Religion Science

Gideon’s backlash (a.k.a. Darwin’s revenge)

Post author By Orac
Post date December 19, 2006
26 Comments on Gideon’s backlash (a.k.a. Darwin’s revenge)

Here’s a great idea:

I was staying in a hotel in New York earlier this year, and I noticed that as well as the usual Gideon’s bible, there was also a copy of the Quran. So that got me thinking – why limit the principle to religious books, why not get some science in there too?

So, I’ve decided that from now on, whenever I stay in a hotel room, I’m going to leave behind a copy of … The Origin of Species…

And now … I’d like to call on everyone who reads this to do the same thing – next time you stay in a hotel, leave behind a copy of this seminal work. After all – what’s the cost of one book compared to a night in a hotel room – and compared to the good work you’ll be doing in spreading the word of Darwin 🙂

Too bad there’s not a Gideon-like organization to take up the challenge. Still, every little bit helps.

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By Orac

Orac is the nom de blog of a humble surgeon/scientist who has an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his copious verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few probably will. That surgeon is otherwise known as David Gorski.

That this particular surgeon has chosen his nom de blog based on a rather cranky and arrogant computer shaped like a clear box of blinking lights that he originally encountered when he became a fan of a 35 year old British SF television show whose special effects were renowned for their BBC/Doctor Who-style low budget look, but whose stories nonetheless resulted in some of the best, most innovative science fiction ever televised, should tell you nearly all that you need to know about Orac. (That, and the length of the preceding sentence.)

DISCLAIMER:: The various written meanderings here are the opinions of Orac and Orac alone, written on his own time. They should never be construed as representing the opinions of any other person or entity, especially Orac's cancer center, department of surgery, medical school, or university. Also note that Orac is nonpartisan; he is more than willing to criticize the statements of anyone, regardless of of political leanings, if that anyone advocates pseudoscience or quackery. Finally, medical commentary is not to be construed in any way as medical advice.

To contact Orac: [email protected]

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