User talk:PeterCskem

Logged in to ensure that the debate over the role of science in education, with the specific hotspot of the Flying Spaghetti Monster is well aired. This is a critical debate on the future of American education and has attracted world wide interest, and fear. Current US policy is moving towards the position of pushing science to find data to support fundamentalist religious concepts, whilst at the same time taking strong action against fundamentalists of other faiths or social systems. The mechanisms are hidden in the US, for example by the allocation of academic funding, and the education of children.

I, like most, do not in any way support the violence and terrorism promoted by fundamentalists of some groups. I am actively engaged in steps to reduce this problem as I can, lobbying is available as a member of a free nation (though might not be from the way Bush is going). However, the steps being taken by GW Bush's administration in the scientific arena could be described as intellectual terrorism. It is important for the welfare of our civilisation that the peer review scientific process is allowed to continue with it's independence from academic editors based in well credited independent academic institutions. This debate is a cause of concern around the world, as evidenced by the strong response to Bobby Kennedy's considered, but very humorous treatise on the Flying Spaghetti Monster []. I am concerned that the nature of the proposed shift in US education is seriously dangerous, by gradually promoting a level of intolerance, and therefore isolationism, that has led young people in many parts of the world to take their lives, and those of many others, because they are so bound up in their beliefs that they are unable to see that other faiths or political systems can be valid for other groups of people. A serious consequence of the intellectual arrogance is the isolation of the Bush administration on the issue of global warming. This is not an issue that just affects a few people in the future, or some leftist propaganda, but a widely accepted shift in our global climate, especially with the recent reinterpretation of conflicting weather balloon data (to take into account the sun's warming of thermometers) that the anti global warming lobby were so reliant on, climate change has very very serious consequences. It is possible that the deaths and damage from more US hurricanes, the heat-waves with resultant fires, and flooding are the consequence of the unwillingness in the Bush administration to address this issue, despite growing evidence. OK it is not a problem that can be solved with a quick fix, but needs sustained change, however steps taken now can have a small effect that could reduce the headlong rush, the change must be starting soon before there is a major global tipping point such as the Gulf Stream switching off. The US is by far the largest contributor to global warming. If the US does not act, then there is little chance of persuading the emerging economies to grow responsibly, accelerating this change.

This debate is well served by the flying Spaghetti Monster because the humour allows this issues to be aired very widely, even within otherwise serious contexts. A simple illustration being the correlation between pirate populations and global warming. This link allows a humorous way of linking to the fundamental and very serious debate over scientific understanding and independence. For the considered fluid evidence based nature of our knowledge (Wikepedia is an example of the fluidity of knowledge!) base to be challenged by a literal understanding of the current translation of an ancient text that has been through at least 4 culture shifts is frightening. These text's would not have survived without there being some truth within them, however, the restructuring by the churches, the Bible for example: removing reincarnation around AD 553, the glaring differences between modern bibles and the St James Authorised version, etc., leaves these texts with serious flaws. How are academics in 2000 years going to consider the instruction to 'pull your socks up', even if the phrase survives the translation and culture shifts, are we to be saddled with the misconception such as the one shoe order so entertainingly illustrated in Monty Python's Life of Brian?

These shifts of concern are subtle, but can have serious long term consequences. Take for example the growth of the Fathers movements. Children deprived of contact with an absent parent in defiance of court orders are taught that the courts, and therefore the legal system, can be safely ignored, because the children see that the intransigent mother is able to ignore the courts with impunity. I am certain that this education is a major contributor to the rise in violent crime in the UK in the 18-25 year old age group, against a backdrop of generally falling crime. The political framework would prohibit such unPC research though, especially in America, in the UK it would not be possible because Court Privilege prevents the basic data required being collected. As these 'poorly parented' children mature, they are most likely to be significant players in the areas of social disruption, from crime to the gradual shift away from a coherent society.

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a brilliant, and very humorous vehicle for the debate about intellectual fundamentalism to be aired. By linking from as many faintly relevant areas of Wikepedia to FSM, displaying the humour, will be a source of fun for many, I understand that sharing humour is an important part of bonding (cannot recall the references though), and an effective way of airing a very important issue as widely as possible.

The international nature and currency of this debate needs FSM to be well linked to all over Wikepedia, without loss of the humour.

29th August 2005 BBC news shows a major problem with the current US "christian" stance (mind you the Knights who went to the far east desimating the local inhabitants of other religions were "christians"). BBC mews quote (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4194146.stm): "But Uganda's anti-Aids campaign has recently been criticised, with some saying that under pressure from the US, it is concentrating on abstinence, rather than all three parts of its Abstinence, Be faithful and Condoms (ABC) strategy."

Previously by focusing on all 3 aspects: "Uganda is often held up as a model of how to fight HIV/Aids, with infection rates falling from 15 to 5%."

Kansas (and many other states) education could have a lot to answer!