General Discussion

Times are very rough. We have to dance certain words, such as climate change, diversity, and inclusivity.

Last semester, a student came up to me after the Charlie Kirk assassination and asked me about my religious beliefs (I'm a biologist). We had a very lovely conversation but we both spent the entire time looking over our shoulders to make sure no one was listening.

This student was a Bible literalist, born again, but still extraordinarily respectful of my somewhat more humanist stance. She also confided how difficult it is to have real conversations in universities now -- this coming from a student that I can only assume is at least somewhat conservative leaning.

There are anti-abortion activists on campus all the time, and people blaring how they should drop their books and repent. Forget Plato and Kant when you have Jesus.

I take solace in the fact that 98% of scientists are truly good people, devoted to truth more than anything, and will outlast this administration.

I wonder to what extent covid made us crazy as a nation.