new and inexperienced

tarav · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 6:51 pm Post subject: new and inexperienced

I am very interested in reading the books and discussing the topics. However, I must warn all that I have never chatteted or frequented a forum. Please be patient while I learn the etiquette, lingo, and process! I am a teacher, home for the summer, looking for some like-minded people to share ideas with.

Edited by: tarav at: 6/19/03 9:05 pm

Kostya · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 10:16 pm Post subject: Welcome

Tara,

We have already met in the other thread and in the chat, so I figured I'll be the one to say hi first.

Hi.

I think that being a teacher is a great honor and it is a very interesting position to be in. What kind of teaching do you do?

I hope you find this place enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing your posts.

Kostya.

curttheprophet · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 11:14 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Hi Tara,

I don't frequent forums or chatrooms very often either. I was attracted to this forum because of the chats with famous authors like Richard Dawkins.

Are you reading Unweaving the Rainbow, or are you going to start with the Pinker book? I just finished the Dawkins book, and still have to order the Pinker. I'll get around to it sometime, I suppose.

Curt.

Timothy Schoonover · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2003 11:40 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Welcome!

The only etiquette restriction is not to laugh at Chris's jokes in chat. If you laugh once, you'll be sorry.

tarav · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Welcome

Kostya,
I am an elementary school teacher. There are many things I enjoy about teaching. Unfortunately, I don't have much in common with many elementary school teachers. Many women who work with children are church-going, baby producing, corny people, especially here in North Carolina! I moved here a few years ago and am still adjusting. I'm sure that you have a lot to say about adjusting to a move! You'll have to share some of your stories about moving here from Russia. Have you read Unweaving the Rainbow? I'd like to read it before Dawkins chats.

tarav · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Hey Curt,
I have not read either of the books. I just finished The Selfish Gene. In anticipation of the chat with Dawkins, I'd like to read Unweaving the Rainbow first. Did you enjoy it? Is it the kind of read I can get through quickly? I felt that The Selfish Gene was an easy and enjoyable read. I'm off for the summer so I have a lot of time to devote to reading.

tarav · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Timothy,
Thanks for the welcoming. I will try to heed your advice regarding Chris' jokes. Last night I did laugh, but not out loud, when he discussed this(hypothetical)bowling trick of his. Someone asked for pictures of Chris performing this extraordinary feat. Be on the look-out...

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Tarav

Welcome to BookTalk!

I haven't read Selfish Gene yet so I'm not sure how it compares to Unweaving the Rainbow. If you can have Unweaving the Rainbow read by July 6th that would be great...but you will still enjoy the chat even if you don't.

I've always thought that teaching is the most important profession out there. It is unfortunate that educators are not compensated proportionally to what they contribute to this world. I still applaud you for your chosen path in life.

Its good to have you join us!

Chris

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,for there you have been, and there you will always want to be." -- Leonardo da Vinci

Kostya · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2003 11:49 pm Post subject: Re: Welcome

Tara,

People in general are fairly conservative and it is always a challenge to find many open-minded people. I think that this is especially true for establishments such as schools. Fortunately, we still have freethinking people like you to teach our children.

My move to US was quite a culture shock for me, but I am not sure I have many interesting stories to tell. I will probably never completely adjust or loose my accent, but for the most part I am starting to feel comfortable here after 10+ years.

I’ve read “Unweaving the Rainbow” after “The Selfish Gene” and I am now reading “The Blind Watchmaker”. “The Selfish Gene” is the best book by Dawkins that I’ve read so far. “Unweaving the Rainbow” is definitely a good book, but I felt that in the way Dawkins is preaching to a choir. I doubt that many people who are complaining that science takes away from the wonder of the world will be persuaded by Dawkins’ arguments. Anyway, I hope you’ll be able to read the book before the chat with Dawkins.

Jeremy1952 · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2003 10:00 am Post subject: Re: Rainbows and Genes

For those who haven't read one or the other, I'd have to say that Selfish Gene is more technical than Rainbow; I found Selfish Gene one of the most interesting and enlightening books I've ever read, but would not expect everyone to appreciate it. Rainbow is written for a wider audience.

Also, I'd like to mention again: Dawkins himself considers The Extended Phenotype his most important book. Since it includes and expands upon the ideas of Selfish Gene, it may fairly be said to supercede it. So if one were to pick only one between Gene and Phenotype, I am confident Dawkins would steer you to Phenotype.

And everyone in the world should read The Blind Watchmaker.

Science is neither a philosophy nor a belief system. It is a combination of mental operations that has become increasingly the habit of educated peoples, a culture of illuminations hit upon by a fortunate turn of history that yielded the most effective way of learning about the real world ever conceived. E.O.Wilson

tarav · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2003 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: new and inexperienced

Chris,
The two bookstores I went to this weekend didn't have Unweaving the Rainbow. They both did have several rows of books on spirituality(I'm in the bible belt)! Tomorrow I will call 4 more in the area. I'm sure one of them will have it. Ordering it will take too long, since I want to read most of it before the 6th. Thank you for your comments on teaching. I appreciate your sentiments and agree. If only everyone felt the same way!

Kostya · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2003 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Welcome

Tara,

Technically, I was capable of reading in English for many years. For example, I've read The Hobbit about 10 years ago, but I had to look every another word up in a dictionary, so it was more of a learning experience than reading. Then for many years I only read technical literature and online resources. About 3-4 years ago, a friend gave me a couple of books in English and to my surprise I was able to read them without too much of an effort. I've been reading in English ever since.

Perhaps, I am at my English reading skills plateau, just like you have described. Actually, I’ve noticed the same pattern with learning of any other subject. At first you gain some basic knowledge and understanding of a subject very quickly and then you reach your plateau of pain and frustration when you have to work very hard with seemingly no results whatever. Then, one day something “clicks” in your head and everything that was so painfully difficult during your plateau period becomes obvious and easy. Then you reach another plateau and the cycle continues…

Thank you for offering to ask my questions in the chat with Dawkins. Unfortunately, I am unable to think of any questions at the moment. I’ll just read the transcripts of the chat when I come back. I am sure there will be plenty of interesting questions and answers in that discussion.

tarav · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2003 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Welcome

Kostya,
I'm back from vacation. I was gone for a few days visiting family and friends up north. I talked religion a bit with a family member who is Catholic. She is conflicted about her beliefs. I told her that she should read Selfish Gene to get another perspective about the meaning of life. She said that she's not sure about god, but that she would feel guilty about possibly steering her sons in the wrong direction(to hell)by telling them that there is no god and teaching them about evolution instead. She was actually worried about going to hell! She was worried about how other kids would treat her sons if they found out. What can you say to people like that? I don't have children, but I told her that if I did I would want them to know truths and not just nice(and some not so nice)stories. Isn't it sad that someone who has such obvious doubts can hold onto such ridiculous fears and that fear leads to the passing on of those doubted beliefs? Maybe fear really is a big part of peoples' reluctance to accept evolutionary facts. It's craziness! Another family member discussed doubts about her religion(Jehovah's Witness). I couldn't even believe some of the things she told me about her congregation. Yet, both of my family members will probably continue believing their own special brands of nonsense. Aah, now I remember why I don't talk to my family very often!

Kostya · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:02 am Post subject: Re: Welcome

Tara,

I thought that Catholics have recognized the theory of evolution and such. Here is the link that explains their position on some of these things www.catholic.com/library/...lution.asp .

I can understand some of the fears about teaching your child things that might make him/her become an outcast. It is a difficult choice to make. On one hand, you want your child to know the truth (or what you consider to be the truth), but on the other hand, you don’t want to put her in a position that might make her life difficult at school or elsewhere…

tarav · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2003 4:55 pm Post subject: Re: Welcome

Kostya,
Catholics are notorious for not agreeing with or following those parts of their religious doctrine they don't find convenient. What being Catholic to one person is, is totally different to another. My aunt doesn't even go to church. She wouldn't even know the Catholic churchs' position on evolution. I recommended some books to her. Maybe she'll read them and learn something, or maybe not.
I took your advice and ordered some books from amazon.com.. I figured it would be easier than tracking down Pinkers' Blank Slate at the local bookstores. In the meanwhile I'm reading Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Sagan and Druyan.


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