Posted: 4 years ago

This morning I spend an enjoyable session with three speakers on C-Span: a reporter from Washington and Seed Magazine who spoke of hurricances, the science on both sides concerning them and the activism that politics and the media interjects into the dialogue; a scientist from California Institure of Technology who spoke about what we know now about the make up of the "stuff" of the universe; and a blogger who has been fighting against the religious right where the battle is no longer for the Presidentcy of the USA but for the seats on school boards. For me, it was enlightening. It spread out the landscape for a debate that has gone on for centuries and is still alive and kicking.

Let me begin with the blogger. He made a compelling case for a separation between: 1) mundance ignorance, where we just do not know the answers to things or problems and 2) virulent ignorance, where the belief in myths, half-truths, lies and misinformation give an individual that feeling of ultimate knowledge. The first leads to discovery in science, the arts, etc.; and the second, leads to jihads and superimposing one's beliefs upon others. The scientist discussed what we know about the universe. He showed through satellite pictures and x-rays how galaxies were formed, pass through each other and move apart. What they have found, for the first time in human history, is that the universe is made up of US, that is tangible stuff (particles, atoms, beings, planets, air, etc) which makes up only 5%; "dark matter" which is the stuff that we cannot see but we know through gravity that "something" is there, which makes up 25% of the universe; and lastly, something that is not "us' or "dark matter" but still exerts force upon the universe, which the science community calls "dark energy" and that consists of 70% of this universe. The science reporter talked of the science behind global warming and hurricances. I was interested since one has already hit Houston with rain and some wind called Erin and one is supposed to settle there on August 22 (the day that we drive into Houston from our trip East). That one is called Dean. He likened the debate over global warming and hurricances to a defination of science as "basic science" (working from scientific principles) and "stamp collecting (gathering data before making some assumptions)." Both approaches may be correct and both are bathed in ignorance (just not knowing). It is interesting to me that the two sides of this debate have joined forces and told the media and political world that whoever in right does not matter, as we still need planning and ways of dealing with hurricanes and a crisis of global warming.

What does this have to do with Rotary? I sometimes see Rotarians working from ignorance (which is a natural state for any human trying to figure out this world) and sometimes they take that ignorance into "virulent ignorance," starting off with presupposed concepts and setting out to prove them. In some ways, we all fall fault there. It is something that must be watched. If we are to participate, we have to keep open minds and search for knowledge (some proof-filled data- not myths or half-truths or false information). To keep open minds we must have conversations and communications. To participate in an eClub, one can debate a side but be open to disagreement (also based on scientific knowledge or reasoned understanding.)

As one who knows that he is ignorant of much that is in the world, I search for knowledge and revel in conversation that leads to lights behind darkened, closed doors. Maybe that is why I teach and certainly it is why I explore the undiscovered country which is art. I think, too, that is why I accepted the position of President of Rotary Global History Fellowship for 2007-2008.

Joe