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Maggie:  We’re finishing Einstein’s biography today, right? John:  Yes. We are discussing his years after the miracle year of 1905.  First we’ll start with his teaching jobs, just to give some context for the rest of the events in his life.  Does that work for you? Maggie:  That makes sense. Einstein’s Academic Jobs But let … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Einstein, part 3

Maggie:  We’re still on Einstein, right? John:  Yes, we’re discussing the story of his life today, but we will only get through about half of the biography, up to the year 1905. Next time we’ll tackle the second half. Maggie:  I tried reading some articles about him. He’s tough! John:  Yeah, I agree.  But we will give … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Einstein, part 2

Maggie: Today we are talking about Albert Einstein, right? John:  Yes, this will be the first of a few discussions on the great scientist.  But I want to do something just a little different, if that is okay with you. Maggie:  Like what? John:  Einstein was more that a great physicist, he was also a … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Einstein, Part 1

Maggie: I want to talk about a friend of mine today.  Is that okay? John:  Sure.  But are we really talking about a friend? Maggie:  I know I sometimes say we are talking about a “friend” when I really mean me.  But this time, it is a friend.  And I’m worried about him. John:  What … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Hikikomori or Social Withdrawal

Maggie:  I am still working out my thoughts about Newton. John:  Yeah, he’s tough.  Do you want to stick with him for now or move on to the next astronomers on our historical list? Maggie:  Let’s move on.  I have the feeling that I’m going to be thinking about Isaac for the next ten years. … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Huygens, Cassini, and Messier

John:  It’s nice to see you again.  Have I told you recently how much I enjoy our conversations? Maggie:  I enjoy them too.  I like talking about science with you.  You make it easy to understand. John:  I think science should be accessible to everyone.  Sometimes I think science teachers make it hard just to make themselves look smarter. Maggie:  That’s probably … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Isaac Newton, part 2

Maggie:  Today we’re talking about the king, right? John:  Yes.  Sir Isaac Newton. Maggie:  He’s hard to understand. John:  I agree, he is challenging.  But we will give it a shot.  Maggie:  What’s the topic? John:  Let’s discuss his life.  And then we will tackle his significance to the history of astronomy in our next … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Isaac Newton, part 1

John:  Today we are talking about a transitional figure: Rene Descartes. Maggie:  Wait… Descartes?  I thought he was a philosopher, not an astronomer.  John:  Well…  That is technically correct, but he did some great work in geometry and physics that affected the way we look at the universe.  Maggie:  Can you give me a thousand-foot … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Rene Descartes

John:  Let’s turn back to science this month, okay? Maggie: Perfect.  I was just thinking the same thing.  Last time we discussed science we covered Kepler, the mathematical genius.  Who’s next? John:  Galileo Galilei. Maggie:  The telescope guy? John:  Yes, that is one way of putting it.  He is the telescope guy.  He is also famous … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Galileo Galilei

Maggie:  What are we talking about today? John:  Well…  You are about to graduate, right? Maggie:  Sure am.  Why? John:  You are entering an exciting time in your life. But it is also a paradigm shifting moment where you are moving from dependence to independence. Maggie:  I like the way you put that: paradigm shifting. It is … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): Advice to a 2020 graduate

Maggie:  I want to talk about depression today.  Is that okay? John:  Sure.  But is there a specific reason this topic has come up? Maggie:  Are you asking if I am depressed? John:  A little bit.  Just wondering if this is a personal topic or a topic relating to your friends? Maggie:  It may be … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): Helping our friends who are suffering from depression

Maggie:  Can we talk about a few things that have been taking up most of the space in my brain lately? John: Sure.  How do you want to approach these topics?  Maggie:  I don’t know what you mean. John:  Do you want to talk about them together, in a freewheeling discussion?  Or do you want to … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): Talking about COVID-19 with Our Teens

John:  Let’s slow our walk down just a bit.  I am getting older and I will never be able to talk about Johannes Kepler if we continue at this speed. Maggie:  No worries (slowing her pace).  Is that better? John:  Yes, thanks.  Maggie:  So on to Kepler.  John:  I know these are just boring facts, … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Johannes Kepler

Maggie:  Who are we talking about today? John: A great astronomer named Tycho Brahe.  Before we discuss his theories, though, we need to recall a point from an earlier discussion about the development of science. Maggie: I know, I know.  Scientists build on the ideas of previous scientists, and that is how science grows and develops.  So, … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Tycho Brahe

Maggie: We are discussing Copernicus today, right? John: Yes. But first we need to talk about the medieval background that gave rise to Copernicus.   The Medieval Background Maggie: I thought that astronomy died after Ptolemy. John: That is not exactly correct. Astronomy did not advance as a science in the western world until Copernicus, … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Copernicus and the Revival of Astronomy

Wrestling with a Difficult Topic  John: I want to change our topic for this discussion. Maggie: We’re not going to talk about the history of astronomy? John: We will get back to it. But today I want talk about genetic diversity. Maggie: You know it’s hard for me to discuss this. John: I know, and … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Discriminating Against Genetically Diverse People

Maggie:  If I remember right, today we are talking about astronomy in the Hellenistic Era. John:  Right. Defining the Hellenistic Era Maggie:  First, can you tell me what you mean by the term Hellenistic? John:  Well, I think I can manage that.  Are you familiar with  Alexander the Great? Maggie:  Sure.  You used to talk … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): Astronomy in the Hellenistic Era

Maggie:  What time period are we discussing today in our continuing conversation about the history of astronomy? John:  Wow, that is a very formal question. Maggie:  I am trying to provide a good introduction for the blog.  What do you think? John:  It’s wonderful.  And to answer your question, we are discussing ancient Greek astronomy. We … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): Ancient Greek Astronomy

Introducing the Topic of Suicide Maggie: I want to talk to you about something, but I don’t know how to do it? John: I am not sure I understand what you mean. Maggie: It’s a tough topic, but one I think we need to talk about more. John: Okay, what’s the topic? Maggie: First you … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Talking About Suicide

John:  This is our last discussion about Stephen Hawking. Maggie:  What topics are we covering? A Unified Theory John:  Hawking’s big dream was to come up with a unified theory that combined Einstein’s theory of general relativity and quantum theory.  I thought we would discuss this. Maggie:  Sure, no problem.  I know all about that … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Stephen Hawking, part 4

John:  So let’s continue with our discussion of Hawking.  Specifically, let’s look at his contributions to the big bang theory. Maggie:  That is such a great show! John:  Not the sitcom…  I want to discuss the actual theory. Maggie:  I know.  I was just being funny.  But come on, how good is Jim Parsons as … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Stephen Hawking, part 3

Maggie: In our last conversation we talked about Stephen Hawking’s career and personal life. Can you tell me about his science now? John:  Yes.  But why don’t we begin with a few background ideas that we will need to know in order to understand his theories? Maggie: Okay.  Where shall we begin? Changes in Scientific Theories John:  The … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Stephen Hawking, part 2

Maggie:  Why don’t we talk about something you are interested in for the next few blog posts?  John:  Thanks for thinking of me and my interests. But is there anything I am working on that also sparks your interests? Maggie:  You are always reading about Stephen Hawking and I would like to know more about him.  And … Continue reading Maggie and Me (a philosophical dialogue): On Stephen Hawking, part 1