Author Archives: justintopp

About justintopp

Biology professor/mentor who loves sports, laughter, science & religion/theology (especially mind, evolution, soul, and what it means to be human), and most of all, his bride and baby girl.

Denis Dutton: A Darwinian theory of beauty (TED talk of the week)

Posted on March 7, 2012

This week’s TED talk is an amazing and aesthetically pleasing talk on a Darwinian theory of beauty. The talk is given by Denis Dutton but is done in collaboration with animator Andrew Park to produce a truly beautiful, but controversial presentation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Evolution, TED talks | 5 Comments

Friday laugh track… xkcd on sports

Posted on March 2, 2012

I love sports but thing most commentary is pretty ridiculous myself… Link here.

Posted in Humor, xkcd | Leave a comment

Friday laugh track… xkcd on free will.

Posted on February 24, 2012

Link here.

Posted in Humor, xkcd | 1 Comment

Sam Harris on The Moral Landscape (TED talk of the week)

Posted on February 22, 2012

Well, it finally happened. In multiple posts in the past I have defended Sam Harris and his efforts towards a scientific morality. I have done this even though I have never seen him speak or read a word of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Mind, Morality, reason, Sam Harris | 11 Comments

Friday laugh track. You know you’re a scientist when…

Posted on February 17, 2012

Link here.

Posted in Humor, xkcd | Leave a comment

Julian Baggini: Is there a real you? (TED talk of the week)

Posted on February 15, 2012

This week’s TED talk comes from Julian Baggini, a philosopher, writer, and the cofounder and editor of The Philosophers’ Magazine. The talk (Is there a real you?) was given at the TEDxYouth@Manchester 2011 event. I thought the presentation was clear and even … Continue reading →

Posted in TED talks | 2 Comments

Friday laugh track, courtesy of… Dilbert again!

Posted on February 10, 2012

What’s amazing to me is that many of these are over 20 years old. And still hilarious. No, really, a liberal arts education is more than this. Really. I think, therefore I am. Creation care meets Dilbert meets Far Side. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dilbert, Humor | Leave a comment

VS Ramachandran on your mind (TED talk of the week)

Posted on February 9, 2012

This week’s TED talk comes from VS Ramachandran, who is Director of the Center for Brain and Cognition and Distinguished Professor with the Psychology Department and Neurosciences Program at UC San Diego. I first became aware of Dr. Ramachandran, as I’m sure many others did, … Continue reading →

Posted in TED talks | 2 Comments

Review of Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns (a final reflection)

Posted on February 7, 2012

Last week I wrote a 3-part review of Pete Enns’ Evolution of Adam.  Many others have been chiming in as well, with reviews all across the spectrum as you might expect, given the nature of the book. Some have labeled … Continue reading →

Posted in Accommodation, Biblical interpretation, Evolution, Evolution of Adam, Pete Enns, science vs. religion, theology | 2 Comments

Review of The Evolution of Adam by Peter Enns (post 3)

Posted on February 4, 2012

This is the final post of my 3 part review of Peter Enns’ newest book, The Evolution of Adam. I hope that you all are also enjoying other reviews from the tour, which has supported my point that the book’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Accommodation, Biblical interpretation, Evolution, Evolution of Adam, Pete Enns, science vs. religion, theology | Leave a comment