Welcome Back

Hey guys!

Hope everyone had a great break.

Juniors: Been reading over your exams... not bad... it is clear to me from your writing that we achieved some of what I had hoped to accomplish this first semester. Nicely done.

I have the final report format for your midterm projects ready. Nothing to be terribly concerned about. We'll talk more about that in class. But we are looking at a 1/10 or 1/12 due date.

Here's a little of what's on the horizon:

Finish up the value conflict debates (yes, really!)

Get into chapter 7 in "Right Questions". We'll be looking at fallacies (faulty arguments). Good stuff!

Now, to current events... Obviously the Asian tsunami disaster is front and center. Hopefully, you've been keeping up with developments. Lots of things to discuss. For instance, here's some comments from the Independent in Britain to chew on:

"The response reveals a deep sense of empathy that could be of lasting value. If it is just a philanthropic flash, then we have seen those before, but if people gain a sense of their interdependence, we will be better off." --SIR JONATHON PORRITT

Also, here's some of what I've shown my physics classes:

Digitalglobe has satellite photos of both Sri Lanka and Banda Aceh. The sample photos of other places around the globe are worth a browse as well. The detail is really something.

The blog Cheese and Crackers has the best collection of video footage. Hard to believe but helps you understand what took place.