Astronomer and author of privileged planet denied tenure

[Brennin]

Guillermo Gonzalez, a professor at Iowa State, has been denied tenure, and I have no doubt that it is ideologically/politically motivated. I sent the following e-mail in support of him:

Dr. Gonzalez:

I am sorry that you have been denied tenure thus far at Iowa State; you deserve better. Clearly, quality of scholarship is not the issue, since the university is willing to grant tenure to Avalos and Allen (Duae tabulae rasae in quibus nihil scriptum est) but denies it to you.

In any event, you have my best wishes. Tu ne cede malis, sed contra
audentior ito.

Sincerely,

Robert O'Brien

 

[Valkhorn]

Guillermo Gonzalez, a professor at Iowa State, has been denied tenure, and I have no doubt that it is ideologically/politically motivated. I sent the following e-mail in support of him:

He was denied it because he didn't meet the standards of ISU. ID is not science and should not be taught as such. ID is glorified Creationism, and I'm glad that ISU denied someone who is an active member of the Discovery Institute tenure.

Working for ID or the DI is not exactly intellectual honesty, now is it?

 

[Brennin]

He was denied it because he didn't meet the standards of ISU.

That is false.

ID is not science and should not be taught as such.

It is more philosophy of science. In any event, he did not introduce it in his classes.

ID is glorified Creationism, and I'm glad that ISU denied someone who is an active member of the Discovery Institute tenure.

Working for ID or the DI is not exactly intellectual honesty, now is it?

They all can't be lumped together.

 

[Valkhorn]

That is false.

That's what ISU said. ISU clearly said that he didn't meet the standards of tenure.

It is more philosophy of science. In any event, he did not introduce it in his classes.

So he should teach philosophy and not science.

They all can't be lumped together.

But ID is creationism. The DI is Creationism. If it isn't, then you're invoking space aliens. Now which is it, god or space aliens?

 

[Brennin]

So he should teach philosophy and not science.

He is a scientist and he should be teaching science.

But ID is creationism. The DI is Creationism. If it isn't, then you're invoking space aliens. Now which is it, god or space aliens?

That's just nonsense. Are you trying to make some sense?

By the way, aren't you in computer "science"? What makes you think you are qualified to write on the topic?

 

[Asimov]

He is a scientist and he should be teaching science.

Then he should DO science, not some hackneyed pseudo-science.

By the way, aren't you in computer "science"? What makes you think you are qualified to write on the topic?

Ad hominem. The fact that he's in computer science doesn't mean his arguments are false.

 

[Brennin]

Then he should DO science, not some hackneyed pseudo-science.

He does science.

Ad hominem. The fact that he's in computer science doesn't mean his arguments are false.

Yeah, but it just so happens that they are.

 

[Valkhorn]

He is a scientist and he should be teaching science.

*lowered eyebrow*

He doesn't.

ID is not science. Creationism is not Science. The Discovery Institute is not Science.

That's just nonsense. Are you trying to make some sense?

By the way, aren't you in computer "science"? What makes you think you are qualified to write on the topic?

No it isn't nonsense. Show us how ID is not Creationism.

ID says "I don't know, therefore God". That is Creationism.

The only way for it to not be Creationism is to invoke Aliens from outer space.

Plus it still doesn't solve the problem that ID has - it has horrible methodology. The entire argument is based on ignorance.

 

[Valkhorn]

He does science.

ID is not Science.

The Discovery Institute is not Science.

 

[Brennin]

ID is not Science.

The Discovery Institute is not Science.

I'll go more slowly for your benefit:

He...does...more...than...cosmological...ID.

 

[Valkhorn]

I'll go more slowly for your benefit:

He...does...more...than...cosmological...ID.

If he does any ID period or is a member of the DI then he does not do Science.

 

[Brennin]

If he does any ID period or is a member of the DI then he does not do Science.

Wrong. Here is where your lack of scientific credentials (and reason) enters in.

 

[XTE]

Wrong. Here is where your lack of scientific credentials (and reason) enters in.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

WHERE ARE YOURS!?

IT IS NOT SCIENCE! GET OVER IT!

 

[TemperateSeaIsland]

Regardless of his philosophical stance he does seem to be publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals and If his denial of tenure was due to his affiliation with the ID moment I would find it disturbing. But then how many academics get denied tenure and don't make a fuss with it in the press.

 

[Brennin]

Regardless of his philosophical stance he does seem to be publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals and If his denial of tenure was due to his affiliation with the ID moment I would find it disturbing. But then how many academics get denied tenure and don't make a fuss with it in the press.

Props to you for taking the principled stance. I found 55 publications for him listed on ISI Web of Knowledge.

 

[Asimov]

He does science.

What science?

Yeah, but it just so happens that they are.

Then prove they are false, don't appeal to his apparent lack of science credentials as if they have any bearing on the falsity of his statements.

 

[Brennin]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

WHERE ARE YOURS!?

IT IS NOT SCIENCE! GET OVER IT!

I am in the mathematical sciences. WHERE ARE YOUR 55+ PUBLICATIONS?

 

[Brennin]

What science?

There is this thing that people with science backgrounds are familiar with called ISI Web of Knowledge. Why don't you familiarize yourself with it, eh?

 

[Asimov]

There is this thing that people with science backgrounds are familiar with called ISI Web of Knowledge. Why don't you familiarize yourself with it, eh?

Why don't you answer the question, eh?

 

[Valkhorn]

Brennin,

So you're saying "I don't know, therefore god or space aliens" is a valid argument?