Random Bits of Good News
In no particular order:
Disney is severing at least some of its deep and long-standing marketing ties with McDonalds. It seems that part of the motivation is because marketing food based poison to children does not fit with Disney’s family friendly image. While that is most likely just PR spin and the real reason is because Disney wants a non-exclusive agreement, that it is getting some main stream press is definitely good. Our children (and most of the rest of us) are fat and unhealthy.
The vatican’s astronomer has made a statement on creationism. In particular, the statement basically indicates that creationism is a destructive myth akin to paganism and that the church and science should communicate openly and without animosity.
“Religion needs science to keep it away from superstition and keep it close to reality, to protect it from creationism, which at the end of the day is a kind of paganism – it’s turning God into a nature god. And science needs religion in order to have a conscience, to know that, just because something is possible, it may not be a good thing to do.”
I’m not a fan of organized religion, but I do fully recognize the power it has over people. That the vatican would back such a statement gives me some hope that some of the incredibly stupid efforts to destroy science education in the United States might be quelled. If not that, then maybe some of the resulting splintering of the church will lessen their power in the world just a little bit.
Neat.