At the time of the first Christmas, the magi looked to the heavens for signs about their life on Earth. And they were not disappointed; the journey they undertook because of what they saw in those heavens enabled them to participate in one of the most significant events in human history. To us, their intracontinental, purely terrestrial trip might seem trivial, but they likely felt they were traversing a sizable portion of the world. So I wonder if those magi could have conceived of the heavens themselves as a … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Star Signs in the Space Age
Advent 2018
Science Corner: The Advent and the Apocalypse
Christmas has become synonymous with good cheer, joy, and childlike wonder. From there we get the optimistic mantra "Every day is Christmas Eve" as looking forward to a happy day makes us happy. And so a sense of gleeful anticipation and positivity extends into Advent, the season of preparation leading up to Christmas. But then I am reminded of SAdvent. A few years ago on the Judge John Hodgman podcast (where humorist & actor John Hodgman arbitrates nonlegal questions) a husband and wife sought a decision about their … [Read more...] about Science Corner: The Advent and the Apocalypse
Science Corner: The Future, Fast and Slow
"The future is already here--it's just not very evenly distributed." That quote from William Gibson is usually referenced to discuss how new technologies are adopted. Yet it struck me today as an apt way to think about the Christmas story. When Jesus was born as the Son of God incarnate, the future arrived in a very tangible way. We no longer needed to await the arrival of the Messiah; he was here bringing hope for a new creation. Now our season of advent looks ahead to his return and a time when that new creation will … [Read more...] about Science Corner: The Future, Fast and Slow