Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Convergent Evolution

The greatest wonder of the scientific enterprise is that it allows us to boldly explore unknown and dangerous places with the wisdom of angels. The rod and staff of science comfort by giving us the ability to measure, stabilize, and record our observations. They are the tools that enable us to extend our trajectories through the shadowy valleys of spacetime, to prepare and protect ourselves from the harms of potential evils, and to adapt to the goodness and mercies of our environment. Science makes us aware of our choices and the impending consequences of both our actions and our inactions, for better or for worse.