More Tim Minchin

Why I like Mendeley?

I recently wrote a post on my personal blog about why like Mendeley. It has been bought to my attention that this may be due to the following reason.

More Than A Theory Lyrics

To the tune of More Than A Feeling. Thanks to Evolving Thoughts.

I woke up this morning and the sun still shone
Bath of neutrinos to start my day
The spectrum’s light was a familiar song
Now analysed, and the maths all say

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I want my science world ruling the day

By noon I wandered through Nature’s wilds
So many lifeforms to marvel at
All a wond’rous now as when a child
This jackpot we’ve won, just observing that -

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I want my science world ruling the day

When I’ve retired and gotten old
My life wasn’t wasted, regret no day
My dream still unfurls, and ever grows
I built my part, and they’ll always say

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I’ll have my science world ruling the day

Mayor Refuses to judge Halloweeen pumpkins

OK, Halloween is a fraud. There are no dark or evil spirits, just a chance to have fun, increase the rate at which children become obese, and get something tasty off of the old woman who wakes you up to the sound of Radio 4 every morning.

Except that the woman who wakes you up at such an ungodly hour is actually a mental, Halloween-hating Christian. Now the evidence for the dark side and the godly is equally scant, so I can only assume she uses one set of fairytales that encourage murder to stop my childhood self using a different set of fairytales to ask her for chocolate.

In fact she's almost as big a killjoy as the Mayor of Nuneaton, who for religious reasons refused to judge a pumpkin carving competition. We all know Halloween isn't Christian (some of us now Christianity isn't real either) - but as a mayor refusing to do something that pulls your community together is just wrong.

Religion Flow Chart

ReligionFlowChart
Originally uploaded by hedwig_the_owl

Click on the image to get a bigger version. If it's still too small click on 'All Sizes'.

Let me know where you end up!

Loch Ness Monster and the Natural History Museum

Apparently it seems the Natural History Museum, London has an agreement to identify any organisms claiming to be the Loch Ness Monster or the Yeti given them to by bookmakers William Hill.

This may seem pretty trivial, but it has netted the museum some much needed cash, and goes some way to ensuring that unusual finds get to be examined by scientists. Of course I am rather sceptical about the existence of either of these things, but weirder organisms are found on a daily basis in the rainforests and deep seas.

Some Well-known Atheists