| Chief rabbi challenges Stephen Hawking in row over origins of universe Lord Sacks accuses astrophysicist of logical fallacy in book excluding possibility of supernatural creationThe chief rabbi, Lord Sacks, hit back at Stephen Hawking after the astrophysicist said God did not create the universe.In his new book, The Grand Design, published next week, Hawking concludes that science excludes the possibility of a deity and that it is unnecessary to "invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going".But his findings were described by Sacks as an "elementary fallacy" of logic.Writing in the Times, the chief rabbi said: "There is a difference between science and religion. Science is about explanation. Religion is about interpretation. The Bible simply isn't interested in how the universe came into being."Sacks also said the mutual hostility between religion and science was one of "the curses of our age" and warned it would be equally damaging to both."But there is more to wisdom than science. It cannot tell us why we are here or how we should live. Science masquerading as religion is as unseemly as religion masquerading as science."In an earlier book, A Brief History of Time, Hawking was apparently more open to the idea of God, suggesting that a scientific understanding of the universe was not incompatible with a creator. "If we discover a complete theory … it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God," he wrote.Stephen HawkingPhysicsReligionRiazat Buttguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
A Rare Atlantic Hurricane Triple Header Three simultaneous hurricanes rumble in the Atlantic and Caribbean. feeds.nytimes.com |
Prof Brian Foster on cuts in research funding We do more with less than anybody else in the world, says Professor Brian Foster of Oxford University's physics departmentJessica Shepherd guardian.co.uk |
Today's Mystery Bird For You To Identify This migratory bird has a large range throughout North America, Mexico, Europe and it even occupies a number of islands. It has a correspondingly large number of subspecies that vary on a regional basis. Can you tell me which one this is?Mystery Bird photographed in Fall City, Washington, USA. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]Image: Jamie Samans, 10 September 2010 [with binoculars].Nikon D50 w/ an 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR lens.This migratory bird has a large range throughout North America, Mexico, Europe and it even occupies a number of islands. It has a correspondingly large number of subspecies that vary on a regional basis. Can you tell me which one this is? Daily Mystery Bird Rules: 1. Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification, keeping in mind that more than one field mark is often necessary to distinguish between species. IDs without any supporting information are not valid and may be deleted by the moderators. 2. Expert and intermediate level birders: do NOT try to be the first to blurt out the mystery bird's ID. Instead, please provide helpful hints, such as descriptions, literary references, puns, personal anecdotes, and other forms of discussion and assistance for beginning birders and for those following on their iPhones without naming the species. Expert and intermediate birders are free to name the bird species 24 or more hours after it was first published.3. Each mystery bird is usually accompanied by a question or two. These questions can be useful for identifying the pictured species, but may instead be used to illustrate an interesting aspect of avian biology, behaviour or evolution, or may be intended to generate conversation on other topics, such as conservation. 4. Each bird species will be demystified 48 hours after publication. If you have bird images, video or mp3 files that you'd like to share with a large and appreciate audience, feel free to email them to me for consideration.GrrlScientistguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Robot soldiers patrol America's radioactive waste dump Not exactly Terminator-terrifying – more like golf buggies armed with a bright light and loudspeakerAs fans of the Terminator films will know, the machines were due to rise up against their human masters on 29 August 1997. Being machines, of course, there were a few technical hitches, but now the moment has arrived. After many years of development and testing, America's National Nuclear Security Administration has finally announced that an autonomous robot soldier has begun patrolling its radioactive waste facility in Nevada.If this conjures up the image of some sleek android pitilessly scanning the horizon, then you are going to be disappointed. The actual automaton, or "Mobile Detection Assessment Response System", looks like a golf buggy full of microscopes. And instead of any meaningful kind of gun, the MDARS comes equipped with just a bright light and a loudspeaker (through which, presumably, the remote operator can shout things such as, "Oi, you there!" and "Put that back!").To its credit, the MDARS can roll around the compound at up to a terrifying 20mph, and it is expected to save the Nevada site more than $1m a year on labour and equipment costs. With a few minor adjustments, moreover, it could also be fitted with a weapon that the US navy is currently working on. This would enable the machine to fire paint and pepper capsules with the capacity to simply ruin an intruder's outfit.Before you scoff, however, take note that other, more fearsome robot soldiers are also on the way. Israel, for instance, is developing its own version, which goes by the name of the Guardium (no relation). This machine, which looks like an angry tractor, is being built by a company called G-Nius, and will also be highly autonomous, with similar features that enable it to move independently and shout at people. Indeed, it is reported to have been used on Israel's borders already, and includes the potential for a live machine gun that can be programmed to return fire.At this stage, admittedly, the technology looks cumbersome and slow, but if the Terminator films taught us anything (besides a lot of one-liners) it is that technology evolves. By the end of the century, you mark my words, it is the MDARS and the Guardium's pictures that will be on our banknotes. In the meantime, while we wait, surely a televised duel can be arranged?• This article was amended on 25 October 2010. The original headline read Robot soldiers patrol Nasa's radioactive waste dump. This has been corrected.RobotsWeapons technologyUnited StatesIsraelLeo Benedictusguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |