Amy Webb, author of The Big Nine – How the Tech Titans & Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity, describes herself as a futurist, a job I wasn’t entirely sure actually existed outside of science fiction. Sure, plenty of people reason about the future and some do so in rigorous and quantitative fashion, but often in very narrow and specialized areas–predicting stock markets or elections or planning for consumer trends. Futurism strikes me as needing more of a generalist, and Webb seems to fit the bill. She takes the kind of broad view necessary to convey just how all-pervasive AI has already become and its potential for even greater influence. At the same time, she provides adequate detail and specificity in multiple domains so that all readers have something concrete they can relate to. Actually, the book reads like a blend of science fact and fiction as Webb tells us where we’ve been and imagines where we might go. So maybe futurist is something of a science fiction job after all.
[Read more…] about Science Book Review: The Big Nine – How the Tech Titans & Their Thinking Machines Could Warp Humanity
Christ
Science Corner: Portrait of an Emerging Scholar
This post discusses the film Tolkien. I don’t think there is anything in this film to spoil, given that it depicts events from a century ago, but consider yourself advised.
Tolkien, a biographical film about author and philologist J. R. R. Tolkien, is admittedly a stretch from my usual science-themed fare. But when I realized the advertising of the film underplayed its focus on the early days of Tolkien’s scholarly career, I figured I should bring it to the attention of this community. Consider it the inverse of Avengers: Endgame; a film I suspect most Emerging Scholars will want to see even if relatively few moviegoers do. I expected something like a cross between War Horse and Shakespeare in Love, an on-the-nose tour of WWI and the elements of Middle Earth Tolkien drew from it; what I got was more of a spiritual sequel (prequel?) to Dead Poets Society.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: Portrait of an Emerging Scholar
Science Corner: Adding to the Conversation
Last week I mentioned an opportunity to hear from mathematician Francis Su on the topic The Integration of Faith and the Academic Calling (a webinar cohosted by ESN and the Society of Christian Scholars). I am not aware of any opportunities to view the presentation after the fact, so for those of you who were unable to participate, I will share a few highlights. He covers some similar territory in an interview with Quanta (text, video), his Mathematical Association of America presidential address, and this article on the value of struggle. Further writing, interviews and talks can be found at his homepage.
During the webinar, Su highlighted the opportunity followers of Jesus have to communicate to fellow academics and especially students that our ultimate worth as humans does not come from our academic achievements. He mentioned some points along his own career journey where he might have appeared to be on a path to failure by certain narrow academic standards. Yet in those moments and looking back, he was able to recognize the genuine challenges in those circumstances without accepting or applying a label like ‘failure.’ He described talking openly about these challenges in settings where it is typical to reflect on success (e.g. his Haimo Teaching Award talk) and how colleagues and students reacted to what he shared.
Connected to the discussion of personal worth was the concept of grace. While grace comes up regularly in Christian circles, Su indicated that some academic colleagues thanked him for giving them a word for something they had experienced but never had a name for. I’d say he was demonstrated what Jonathan Merritt spoke about at BioLogos as language transformation: (re)defining grace through concrete academic examples in a way that furthers conversation. We might all do well to consider what words we can offer as tools and perhaps even gifts to those around us.
Su also mentioned creating space for conversation by carpooling to work. I’ve generally thought about the merits of carpooling in environmental terms, but he made a real case for additional cultural benefits. Specifically, one can transform the culture of one’s workplace simply by providing an opportunity to chat informally. Carpooling I believe was also an example of what he called the levers of one’s profession–processes or structures or opportunities to provide input to the culture and affect the output.
Also on the webinar was chemist and ESN member Dave Vosburg. He and Su are both on the faculty of Harvey Mudd where they have been meeting together regularly with other Christian faculty for encouragement, fellowship, and discussion of how to positively shape their campus. Vosburg shared about how those conversations started and what they’ve done to keep them going. He also provided advice and encouragement for starting similar conversations on other campuses.
Finally, Su suggested the following questions to think about the culture of your own workplace. Perhaps these might be suitable to take up in a small group with other followers of Jesus where you work.
Questions for personal or corporate reflection:
- What does the gospel say to the values/culture of your profession? Can you articulate the HOPE?
- How can you take small steps?
- What ideas or structures need to be challenged in your profession? What are the currency and levers?
- How can you plant gospel signposts?
ESN News: A Leadership Transition
Photo: At Urbana 18, we held a staff party to celebrate Tom’s great work with ESN (Emerging Scholars Network). This picture shows Tom and Theresa Grosh, their daughter Ellen, and InterVarsity Grad/Faculty Ministry Colleagues Bobby Gross (Vice President for GFM), Kathy Tuan-Maclean (Director of Faculty Ministry), and Hannah Eagleson (ESN).Â
With both sorrow and joy, we announce that Tom Grosh IV will be transitioning to a new role as an area director with CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) in South Central Pennsylvania, and I will be carrying on the vision and mission of ESN. Sorrow, because Tom is an amazing colleague who has grown ESN into a vibrant ministry with a strong model, and I will miss him immensely. Joy, because Tom is moving on to another wonderful opportunity to serve Christ and still plans to do some volunteer writing with ESN, and joy also because I am deeply excited to grow the vision, mission, and model Tom has built at ESN. [Read more…] about ESN News: A Leadership Transition
2018’s Most Visited ESN Blog Posts
Drumroll . . .
- Science in Review: Thor, Thanos and Theology by Andy Walsh
- A Prayer for Those Finishing a Semester by Hannah Eagleson
- How should Christians in the sciences choose an epistemology? by Jim Stump is part of the STEAM Grant/Faith Science Series. Stay tuned for when the booklet goes to print.
- How Do You Talk About Faith with Secular Colleagues? (STEAM Grant Faith/Science Series) by Robert Kaita
- Apply for the ESN Urbana 18 Fellows Program. What a privilege to serve the Emerging Scholars at the Urbana Student Missions Conference. Stay tuned for a full report!