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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Greatest Loss of 2011

Daily Hitchens: UK Channel 4 Tribute

Imagine an articulate curmudgeon who would dedicate his career to fighting the abuses of scientific authority. Who is the Christopher Hitchens of the scientific community?

While Hitchens was no scientist, he was a brave man who derived his courage from the truth. When you believe you are on the side of the truth, regardless of the accuracy of your assumption, you are empowered to speak up. Hitchens relished a good argument and made a living out of speaking up. I don't believe he engaged in any Cargo Cult intellectualism.

We could use a man like him in our ranks. It would be amusing, as we look to the sky for our Cargo planes, to hear a lone voice, slightly inebriated with a British accent... "They're not coming you God-damned fools!"

"Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.” ― Christopher Hitchens

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