Politics...

Always comes up sooner or later so best to get it out of the way:

I am an independent, populist-progressive with a technocratic leaning.

I am not a cynic (the only thing I might be pessimistic about is human intelligence) but I do consider myself a skeptic; I can see the good in things while still demanding evidence of claims.

Education in support of independent critical thinking is paramount. Dogma and tradition, in any field, create stagnation, especially when the only excuse for following same is "...that's the way we've always done it...."

Change is the essential process of all growth; self-rexamination is the essential key to insight and understanding.

Good friends, good conversation and good food (including a good home-brew) is essential for stress-reduction and contentment.

Two of my favorite quotes are:

"We are too soon from the cave; too far from the stars." - Ray Bradbury

"The time of superstition and religion is past; the future can only be built upon science and spirituality." - Arthur C. Clarke



Photo: The Jewel Box Cluster
ESO - Very Large Telescope