The meaning of science
I used to be a science communicator. When I did a PhD, my research drew mainly on the philosophy of science and science studies. My postdoctoral research was getting more
Author: Jamie Freestone
Nuclear policy is evil not irrational
Hey we’re all gonna die one day but did you know the US government has a plan for how we can all die together? Literally everyone should read Daniel Ellsberg’s
Human exceptionalism with a human face
This is me on human exceptionalism for Areo, a rather good up and coming digital magazine. I point out the irony of using super-advanced scientific tools to do studies on crows to
#65 On the orthodoxy
Dear Mat, I think skyhook is a good name for a particular kind of bad explanation. Namely, one that doesn’t attempt to ground the phenomena it describes in things that we already think
#63 On magic tricks
Dear Mat, First off, we’re accusing one another of “essentialism” and “foundationalism”. I think we’re both against those things and think that science should be done accordingly. Truce? More importantly, I feel
#61 On cranes and skyhooks
Dear Mat, I’m pondering my reasons for adopting a no skyhooks policy. I’d be genuinely interested in what you think the political agenda is behind my stance. This rambling letter is me trying
#59 On how the question changes the answer
Dear Mat, Interesting letter. It was a rollercoaster from my POV because the first few paragraphs appeared to be a dastardly warping of what I was saying, yet by the end
#57 On the key (and lock) to knowledge
Dear Mat, This is a long letter but I feel we’ve alighted on a fundamental, multifaceted philosophical difference and it’s what I’ve been researching full time for several years so I’ve