More from MC

Since finishing State of Fear, I've spent a good amount of time reading through the materials at Michael Crichton's website. I first spent some time on the message boards, and despite these being heavily moderated, like all public internet forums they devolve into digital poo-flinging. So, I moved over to the speeches section of the site and found several interesting reads.

This particular speech isn't so much a speech, as it is MC's testimony to a Senate committee last year regarding the importance of independent scientific research. He basically states that environmental research simply does not live up to the standard that many other research paradigms demand, such as double-blind research for the FDA. He basically states that science is simply an inquiry and that the results of it must be independently verified and replicated before being taken seriously, much less influence policy decisions.

I've read many of the others, and most of the recent ones deal with global warming and its related topics. As I stated last post, reading this book has forced me to rethink my views concerning global warming and my approach to the mass of information we all encounter everyday. Hell, just the other day I found myself questioning something I heard on NPR, not by a reporter, but by someone who was being interviewed. At any rate, I feel it is incumbent on any responsible person to always allow for the possibility that new data might influence your stance on a particular issue and not allow ideaology or belief stand in the way.

Trip pt. 2

After posting yesterday, I met Scott at his house to meet him, see the house, and discuss my living there. As it turns out, the process was extremely simple (I won't have to fill out ANY paperwork), and he's a super nice guy, so I've found my place to live. Now, it's not the nicest place on earth; it's what you'd expect for $300 / mo., but the appliances are all very new, and the location is great. Since I've basically accomplished every objective I had coming here, I'm leaving early, moving my flight up one day to tomorrow. It costs $100 to move it, but I'll save at least $75 on my car rental, and it's definitely worth whatever less I come out in the end to not have to sit around in Casey and Andrew's house; it would be awkward and not the least bit boring.

In totally different news, last night I finished reading Michael Crichton's State of Fear. As always, it was extremely entertaining and well-backed by incredible research. So much so that reading it has made me question the entire issue of global warming. The real data and studies he uses (and cites meticulously) simply show that we cannot make any real conclusions about climate change, sea-level rising, and extreme weather which are all allegedly caused by global warming. Another theme throughout the book is that the environmental movement has now entrenched itself to be just like the corporations it so hates, so much so that it has the same type of agenda and is willing to threaten scientists it funds if their data does not support its own claims. Through his characters, Crichton posits a completelly new mechanism by which research should be funded, which makes scientists independent of their funding and brings true peer-review and iteration in their research. I'm no scientist, but it certainly seems like these are all the ideas which it seeks to accomplish.

At any rate, I still have plenty of reading to do. Casey gave me a couple of books already, one of which I will need to have read for the first week of class, so I'll have something to read on the way home tomorrow.

First Impressions

At this very moment I am sitting in Caribou Coffee on W. Market St. in Akron, OH. It's a bit overcast but 78 outside, so a great change from the close to 100 degree weather (before humidity!) in Baton Rouge.

In addition to the weather, everything else so far has been really nice, even the drive from Cleveland Hopkins International to Akron was pleasant. I am staying with a couple who live in West Akron, and they have been more than hospitable and have made my trip so much easier. Yesterday after we ate they took me on a driving tour around West Akron to downtown and campus. There wasn't too much activity, but it was a Monday night and it's summer. They pointed out a couple of hangouts and restaurants, including this coffee shop, and there are certainly enough places to keep me occupied. The drive down Market St. in an area called Highland Park looks much like Green Hills in Nashville, with its hilly landcsape and eclectic storefronts. Another feature worth pointing out is that there's a public, rock radio station, 91.3 The Summit, here in Akron. It's a member-supported station, so no commercials, which plays a good blend of rock/pop/alternative stuff. I've been listening to it in addition to WKSU, the NPR affiliate.

Today, I drove myself to campus to take a tour of the law school. It's one of the older buildings on campus, but that's only because many of the others are so new, so it's by no means run down. The lobby is nice and plush, and the student lounge has plenty of space and even offices for each of the student organization presidents. I may have to run for, or start one (Akron Law School Progressive Student Alliance ftw!), one of these positions just so I can have my own office in the building. The library was a typical law library, very dense with books, but lots of space for reading and several group study rooms which can be checked out in advance. Even all the tables had power strips on them so that four laptop-equipped students could share a table and not have to fight over outlets. I guess noticing something like that truly confirms how geeky I am. The classrooms are all very spacious (read: not 2nd story Himes classrooms), and I was very satisfied that this would be the building where I will be spending the majority of my time in the next three years.

The rest of campus is exceptionally nice. It's very different from LSU's in that it is adjacent to, and thus blends in with, downtown Akron. It's well designed in that most of the car traffic goes around the perimeter of campus with lots and garages all around, whereas most of the foot traffic occupies the interior of campus, with the student union pretty much in dead center. As I mentioned, many of the other buildings are very new. Several department buildings, including the honors center, are very new red brick and glass buildings and when viewed in tandem along the nice landscaping make for a very picturesque setting. The union was just finished in Dec 2002, and it boats a variety of services, pretty much identical to LSU. The most impressive building on campus is the dual tower (12 and 9 stories each) Goodyear Polymer Science building. It of course sits right next to the law building to bring everything into stark contrast.

Later today I will meet with a guy named Scott who is looking for a roommate to share his half of a duplex just a few blocks up the street from where I am. He graduated from UA Law in 2005 and is currently practicing; he had a court date today. He already has full living room furnishings and appliances (including washer/dryer) so this would be pretty ideal if it works out. The price is nice too, $300/mo. + 1/2 utilities.

So, everything so far is working out well, and hopefully will continue to do so. I'll update tomorrow or Thursday to share the rest of the trip.

My Last Day

To explain the blatant plagarism of the Scrubs Season 1 Season Finale, tomorrow night is my last shift at work. I've basically held a part time or full time job since I was 15 years old, and since I can't work during my first year at law school, this means no work for the next year. What a nice thought.

As last reported last month here at THPB, I am visiting Akron next week for the first time. I actually exchanged a few e-mails with an alumnus of UA Law today about a possible place to live. He needs a roommate for a 2BD 2 BA duplex for $300/mo. and utilities. So, hopefully this pans out and pretty much settles the last question of my move from LA to OH. I'll meet him on Tuesday at the house and we'll talk about it. Also during my visit, I'll tour campus and possibly sit in on a class.

On Saturday, we're gathering at Chris' for his birthday celebration. The original plans were to go to New Orleans, but few people were willing to pay for hotels to stay overnight, much less drive back to BR, so we are relegated to a night at North Laville, but it should still be fun.

Not much else to report right now, the past few weeks have basically been work and drinking, but I had to update since Kellie, Allyson, and Loni all bitched about it.